How to Share Your iPhone Screen: Complete Guide for FaceTime and AirPlay (iOS 15.1+)

Screen sharing turns your iPhone into a collaboration tool—whether you’re troubleshooting with support, presenting to colleagues, or showing family members something important. iOS includes two native, built-in methods that work without installing apps: FaceTime screen sharing for remote calls and AirPlay for local network presentations.

What is Screen Sharing on iPhone?

Screen sharing on iPhone allows you to broadcast your entire display to another person or device in real-time using Apple’s native features. iOS offers two distinct methods:

FaceTime Screen Sharing displays your screen to participants in an active FaceTime call (requires iOS 15.1 or later, macOS Monterey 12.1 or later for Mac participants, or iPadOS 15.1 or later for iPad participants). Everyone in the call sees exactly what’s on your screen, and only one person can share at a time.

AirPlay Screen Mirroring broadcasts your screen wirelessly to Apple TVs, Macs, or iPads connected to the same Wi-Fi network (requires iOS 11.4 or later, though iOS 12+ is recommended for optimal compatibility with current AirPlay 2 devices). This method works for presentations and local demonstrations without requiring an active call.

[Current as of: iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, macOS Monterey 12.1 — Updated January 2025]

Why Use This Feature?

• Instant technical support: Show IT support or customer service exactly what’s happening on your phone—far faster than describing problems in text
• Remote collaboration: Present documents, apps, or designs during FaceTime calls without switching between tools
• Family-friendly demonstrations: Teach relatives how to use an app or navigate iOS without being in the same room
• Professional presentations: Share your screen on a conference room display without cables or compatibility apps

Things to Consider

• Regional restrictions: FaceTime (including screen sharing) was blocked by Russian authorities in October 2024 and cannot be used on devices sold in Russia. Devices originally sold in China have device-level restrictions on FaceTime that cannot be bypassed. Screen sharing features are available globally elsewhere
• Battery consumption: Screen sharing is a battery-intensive activity. The screen display and network transmission are the two largest power drains. Enable Low Power Mode before extended sessions, and ensure your charger is nearby for calls lasting longer than 20 minutes
• Network requirements: Screen sharing requires a stable, high-speed internet connection. For basic screen sharing, a reliable broadband connection is essential. For 4K screen sharing with High Performance mode on Mac, Apple recommends 75 Mbps with a wired connection (for reference, typical HD streaming requires 5-10 Mbps)
• Copyrighted content restrictions: Screen sharing copyrighted movies, music, or protected streaming content (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube) without permission is illegal. Many streaming apps actively block screen mirroring using DRM technology to protect copyright holders’ rights
• AirPlay device compatibility: AirPlay works with Apple TV, Mac, and iPad. Many third-party smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio) and speakers (Sonos, Bose, Denon) support AirPlay, but DRM-protected content may not transmit to all third-party devices

How to Share Your Screen via FaceTime: Complete Instructions

Best for: Remote support calls, showing someone on another device something important, one-on-one or group collaboration (up to 32 participants on iOS 16.1/macOS Ventura or later)

What you need:

• Both participants on iOS 15.1+, iPadOS 15.1+, or macOS Monterey 12.1+
• Active FaceTime call in progress
• Stable internet connection

Steps:

1. Start or join an active FaceTime call with at least one other person. Ensure the call is connected and audio is working clearly before proceeding to the next step.

2. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center. You’ll see a grid of quick-access controls including brightness, volume, and connectivity options.

3. Tap the ‘Screen Mirroring’ button (displays as a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it). A menu appears listing available devices that can receive your screen.

4. Select ‘FaceTime’ or your FaceTime participant’s name from the list. Your iPhone confirms the connection with a blue banner at the top of your screen reading ‘Screen Mirroring’ with the connection method.

5. Open any app or navigate to content you want to show. Everything displayed on your iPhone screen is now visible to everyone in the FaceTime call in real-time. Swipe between apps, open files, or navigate the web—all actions transmit instantly.

6. To stop sharing, swipe up from the bottom again to open Control Center, then tap ‘Screen Mirroring’ and select ‘Stop Mirroring.’ Your FaceTime call continues, but your screen is no longer visible to participants.

How to Share Your Screen via AirPlay: Complete Instructions

Best for: Presentations to a group in one location, showing content on a larger display, connecting wirelessly to Apple TV or conference room displays

What you need:

• iPhone running iOS 11.4 or later (iOS 12+ recommended)
• Receiving device: Apple TV, Mac, or iPad (or AirPlay 2-compatible third-party smart TV or speaker)
• All devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network
• Devices on the same Wi-Fi network and in close proximity

Steps:

1. Verify all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone and confirm you’re connected. Check that your Apple TV, Mac, or receiving device is also on the same network. If using a conference room Apple TV, ask IT or check the wall-mounted label for the network name.

2. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. This reveals the primary controls for connectivity, display, and system functions.

3. Tap the ‘Screen Mirroring’ button in Control Center. A menu immediately displays all AirPlay-compatible devices currently connected to your Wi-Fi network, labeled by room or device name (e.g., ‘Living Room Apple TV’, ‘Conference Room Display’).

4. Tap the name of your destination device (for example, ‘Living Room Apple TV’ or ‘Boardroom Monitor’). Your iPhone establishes the wireless connection, and your screen appears on the receiving device within 1-2 seconds.

5. Navigate to any content on your iPhone. Everything you see—apps, photos, presentations, web pages, videos—displays on the external device in real-time. No additional steps needed; just use your iPhone normally. Open Safari to show a website, launch Keynote to present slides, or display photos to a group.

6. To disconnect, open Control Center again, tap ‘Screen Mirroring’, and select ‘Stop Mirroring.’ The connection closes immediately, and content is no longer displayed on the external device. Your iPhone returns to normal mode.

Troubleshooting: Fix Common Screen Sharing Problems Fast

“Screen Mirroring button doesn’t appear in Control Center”

• Ensure you’re on iOS 11.4 or later (check Settings > General > About)
• For FaceTime: Confirm you have an active FaceTime call in progress
• Close and reopen Control Center (swipe down again from top-right)
• Restart your iPhone: Hold Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds, then drag to power off

“No devices appear in the Screen Mirroring menu”

• Verify your iPhone and the receiving device are on the same Wi-Fi network (check Settings > Wi-Fi on both)
• Restart both devices
• For Apple TV: Ensure it’s powered on and AirPlay is enabled (Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit)
• Move devices closer together (AirPlay requires proximity, typically within 30 feet)
• If using a third-party device: Confirm it supports AirPlay 2 and is updated to the latest firmware

“Connection established but content doesn’t appear on the receiving device”

• Check that the receiving device’s input is set to AirPlay (use remote or device controls)
• Restart the receiving device (Apple TV, Mac, or third-party display)
• Disconnect and reconnect: Stop Mirroring and select the device again
• For streaming content: Apps with DRM protection (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube) intentionally block mirroring—this is normal

“FaceTime screen sharing keeps disconnecting after 50 seconds”

• This indicates a weak internet connection. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router
• Check signal strength: Look for Wi-Fi icon in the top-left corner (more bars = stronger signal)
• Disable other devices using Wi-Fi to reduce network congestion
• Switch to a wired connection if your iPhone supports it (via USB-to-Ethernet adapter)
• For critical calls: Use a 5G or 4G cellular connection as backup

“Screen mirroring is draining my battery very quickly”

• Lower screen brightness (swipe down Control Center, drag brightness slider down)
• Enable Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode)
• Disable background app refresh (Settings > General > Background App Refresh)
• Keep your iPhone plugged into power during extended screen sharing sessions
• Close apps running in the background to reduce processing demands

“Third-party streaming apps won’t transmit during AirPlay”

• This is intentional: Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and similar services use DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption to prevent unauthorized copying of copyrighted content
• Apple provides the isCaptured property in iOS for developers to block content during screen mirroring
• These restrictions protect copyright holders’ rights and are not a device issue
• Workaround: Use Airplay on devices where the app has granted mirroring permission, or check the app’s settings for a “cast” or “play on TV” feature

Pro Tips to Maximize Your Screen Sharing Experience

Before you share:

• Close private apps: Swipe closed any banking apps, personal messages, or email before starting—they’ll be visible to everyone
• Disable notifications: Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and enable it temporarily. This prevents calls, messages, and alerts from appearing on the shared screen
• Tidy up your home screen: Close unnecessary apps and organize your background so viewers focus on what you’re sharing, not clutter

During screen sharing:

• Use landscape orientation: Rotate your iPhone to landscape mode for presentations—it’s larger and easier to read
• Zoom in on text: If showing details in apps, use two-finger pinch-to-zoom to enlarge text and make it readable
• Speak clearly: Narrate what you’re doing; viewers can see your screen but not your intent
• Charge your device: Keep your iPhone plugged in for sessions longer than 15-20 minutes—screen sharing is battery-intensive

For AirPlay presentations:

• Test beforehand: Connect 5 minutes early and verify content displays correctly on the receiving device
• Disable Auto-Lock: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set to “Never” during presentations. This prevents your screen from going dark mid-presentation
• Use presentation apps: Keynote, Google Slides, and PowerPoint are optimized for screen sharing with proper formatting

For FaceTime screen sharing:

• Confirm all participants can see: Ask viewers “Can you see my screen clearly?” before diving into details
• Use FaceTime’s In-Call Controls: Tap the microphone icon to mute audio if needed while keeping screen share active
• Know the group limit: FaceTime supports up to 32 participants (iOS 16.1/macOS Ventura or later). Only one person can share their screen at a time; if someone else wants to share, you must stop sharing first

Screen sharing is one of iPhone’s most practical built-in features—it requires no apps, no setup, and works instantly once you know where to find it. Whether you’re troubleshooting with support, presenting to a group, or teaching someone how to use their iPhone, FaceTime and AirPlay screen sharing connect you faster than any other method. Start with the method that fits your situation (FaceTime for remote calls, AirPlay for local presentations), follow the numbered steps, and you’ll be sharing your screen in seconds.