As a content material supervisor (and former freelance marketer), display screen sharing has been a every day ritual for me. Truly, I’ve shared my display screen extra instances than I can rely. And let’s be actual — everybody has skilled that awkward second of claiming, “Are you able to see my display screen?” and ready for 5 folks to unmute and make sure.
However after working with all of the out there display screen sharing apps — built-in macOS options, Zoom, Slack, TeamViewer, Skype, Google Meet, and extra — I’ve seen all of it. For those who’ve ever struggled with display screen sharing on Mac or simply wish to discover the perfect device in your workflow, this information is for you. I’ll stroll you thru other ways to share your display screen (plus some superior instruments and tricks to degree up your screen-sharing).
Tips on how to share your display screen on Mac Display screen Sharing app
If you should share your display screen with somebody on the identical community — whether or not for collaboration, troubleshooting, or distant entry — Apple’s built-in Display screen Sharing function is a straightforward, no-install resolution. It permits one other Mac consumer to view and management your display screen with out extra software program.
With Display screen Sharing, different customers can:
- View your desktop in real-time.
- Transfer, open, and shut information (should you permit management).
- Launch apps and even entry your Mac remotely.
Tips on how to allow macOS Display screen Sharing
When Display screen Sharing is disabled, nobody in your community can entry your Mac, making certain your privateness and safety, so you should allow it first.
Right here’s the right way to allow Display screen Sharing on Mac:
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Click on Basic > Sharing.
- If Distant Administration is turned on, disable it to forestall customers from accessing your Mac with the Apple Distant Desktop function.
- Click on on the data “i” icon subsequent to Display screen Sharing > Modify entry permissions. Activate Display screen Sharing > Finished.
As soon as enabled, your Mac will show a screen-sharing handle, comparable to vnc://192.168.x.x, that others can use to attach.
Tips on how to begin display screen sharing
Then, you’ll be able to simply begin a session utilizing the Display screen Sharing app — a built-in macOS device that permits you to remotely view and management one other Mac on the identical community.
Right here’s the right way to get began:
- Press Command + Area, sort Display screen Sharing, and press Return.
- Select the way you wish to join:
- Within the sidebar, click on Community, transfer the pointer to the Mac you wish to entry, and click on Join.
- Click on All Connections, discover the Mac you want, and click on Join.
- Click on the add “+” button within the toolbar, enter the Mac’s hostname or Apple Account, and click on Join.
3. If prompted, enter the username and password for the Mac you’re connecting to and click on Signal In.
4. For those who see the Choose Display screen Sharing Kind window (on macOS Sonoma 14 or later), decide:
- Customary.
- Excessive Efficiency (for Apple Silicon Macs).
5. As soon as linked, your Mac will save the connection underneath All Connections, so you’ll be able to rapidly entry the identical Mac sooner or later with out having to re-enter particulars.
6. To finish a screen-sharing session, select Window > Connections, transfer the pointer over the lively session, then click on Disconnect.
Tips on how to share your display screen in FaceTime on Mac
FaceTime display screen sharing is a kind of options I didn’t know I wanted — till I began working remotely. And let’s be trustworthy, we’ve all had these moments the place a fast display screen share might’ve saved a 10-minute rationalization.
Right here’s the right way to do it:
- Begin a FaceTime name in your Mac.
- Open the app or doc you wish to share.
- Click on the Video button within the menu bar, then click on the Display screen Share button.
- Select how a lot you wish to share: a whole display screen, a particular window, or all home windows from an app.
My favourite third occasion apps for screen-sharing on Mac
As somebody who’s spent quite a lot of time working remotely, I’ve examined each screen-sharing technique out there. Some apps preserve my shows distraction-free, others assist me annotate on the fly, and some even let me report and ship display screen shares asynchronously so I don’t should hop on one other name.
Now, I’ll stroll you thru my go-to screen-sharing instruments that really make a distinction:
Device |
Finest for |
Cool options |
PliimPro |
Distraction-free display screen sharing |
Hides desktop icons; adjustments your wallpaper background; conceals lively apps; disables notifications; |
Presentify |
Drawing wherever on the display screen |
Annotates, highlights, and attracts wherever on the display screen; |
CleanPresenter |
Presenting on a giant display screen (TV, projector) |
Adjustments your wallpaper; conceals lively apps; shares a single window on a giant display screen; |
For much more methods to seize and share your display screen, check out the comparability desk of the perfect display screen recording software program for Mac.
Learn additionally:
PliimPro for distraction-free display screen sharing
For those who’ve ever shared your display screen mid-meeting solely to have an embarrassing notification pop up — whether or not it’s a random Slack message or a textual content out of your mother asking about dinner — you recognize the wrestle. That’s why I began utilizing PliimPRO, and actually, I want I had discovered it sooner.
With one click on, PliimPRO hides desktop litter, mutes notifications, and even allows you to mute your mic — so I by no means should scramble to shut private apps earlier than a presentation. It really works throughout Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, and extra, which means I don’t should tweak settings for every platform. Plus, every little thing goes again to regular as quickly as I flip off presentation mode.
Presentify to share and annotate, spotlight, and draw wherever on the display screen
Display screen sharing could be irritating. I used to always say, “Wait, are you able to see my display screen?” or awkwardly transfer my cursor round, hoping folks adopted alongside.
That’s the place Presentify helps. It lets me draw on my display screen throughout shows so I can level issues out as an alternative of overexplaining. If I want to spotlight a bit of a report or information somebody by way of a doc, I simply change on annotations and mark it up immediately. The cursor spotlight is one other small however helpful function — particularly when leaping between home windows.
CleanPresenter for presenting on a giant display screen, stress-free
There’s nothing worse than sharing your display screen mid-meeting and realizing your whole desktop (private messages and random information) is on full show. That’s why I began utilizing CleanPresenter. As an alternative of sharing your entire display screen, the device allows you to mirror a single window onto an even bigger display screen or throughout video calls.
Plus, it robotically hides notifications and desktop litter, so I don’t should triple-check every little thing earlier than sharing.
How I run conferences with CleanPresenter:
- If I’m presenting on a TV or projector, I first join my machine by way of cable or AirPlay.
- If it’s an internet assembly, I click on the CleanPresenter icon within the menu bar.
- Optionally, I’m going to CleanPresenter icon > Settings > Look and set a customized background.
- Then, I select the app I wish to current.
On-line instruments for screen-sharing calls
Typically, free screensharing instruments are your lifesaver. Fortunately, many on-line instruments (which you all know since 2020) make it straightforward to share your display screen with just some clicks, it doesn’t matter what machine you are on.
Listed here are a number of the hottest screen-sharing instruments:
- Zoom: The go-to for digital conferences. Simply hit Share Display screen throughout a name and decide what you wish to show. Bonus: It allows you to annotate whereas sharing, which is nice for reside suggestions.
- Google Meet: A free, no-download choice for Google customers. Click on Current Now, choose your display screen, and also you’re all set. Easy and efficient.
- Chrome Distant Desktop: Extra than simply display screen sharing, this device allows you to management one other pc remotely, which is right for IT assist or working throughout totally different gadgets.
- Slack: In case your workforce lives on Slack, you can begin a video name and share both your full display screen or only a particular app window — good for fast work check-ins.
- TeamViewer: The best choice for distant troubleshooting and collaboration. You’ll must arrange an account, however as soon as linked, you’ll be able to totally management the opposite pc.
- Skype: Not as well-liked because it as soon as was, however nonetheless strong. Click on Share Display screen throughout a name, and also you’re good to go.
Now you know the way to share display screen on Mac
Display screen sharing is a kind of important abilities that you just don’t take into consideration — till you want it. Go forward and decide whichever technique or device works finest for you.
However let me remind you of my prime picks:
- PliimPRO retains your desktop clear and distraction-free earlier than a gathering.
- Presentify helps you spotlight, annotate, and information viewers effortlessly.
- And when it’s time to current on a giant display screen, CleanPresenter makes it seamless.
All these apps (and 250+ extra) can be found on Setapp, the place you get limitless entry to top-tier Mac and iOS instruments for a single subscription. And with a 7-day free trial, you’ll be able to strive them out and see what suits your workflow — no strings connected.
FAQ
What’s the finest display screen share app for Mac?
The perfect display screen share app for Mac will depend on your wants:
- PliimPRO is a superb alternative for a distraction-free presentation.
- Presentify works finest for annotating or highlighting throughout a display screen share.
- CleanPresenter is an efficient choice for presenting on a giant display screen.
- For on a regular basis conferences, Zoom, Slack, and Google Meet are strong choices.
Does macOS have a built-in display screen sharing app?
macOS has a built-in Display screen Sharing app that permits you to remotely entry and management one other Mac on the identical community. Yow will discover it underneath System Settings > Basic > Sharing > Display screen Sharing.
How do I cease notifications whereas display screen sharing?
To cease notifications whereas display screen sharing, use PliimPRO. It will possibly cover notifications, mute distractions, and declutter your desktop earlier than display screen sharing.
Can I report my display screen whereas sharing?
You’ll be able to report your display screen whereas sharing with Zoom, Google Meet, and Slack. If you should report and annotate, strive Presentify, which helps you to spotlight and draw on the display screen whereas recording.