There is a strange moment: the call is already happening, the person on the other end is waiting, and you are staring at the screen with no idea where to turn on screen sharing. In WhatsApp, it is honestly not always obvious the first time.
I have noticed that many people are not looking for a theory but for the simplest path – where to tap, what should appear, and why the feature might sometimes be missing. Below, I have put together everything in plain English: how to turn on screen sharing, what could be getting in the way, and what to look out for if something goes wrong.
The Short Version: What Is the Point
If you want the ultra-short answer: can you turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp? Yes, but only during a call or video call, and it does not look the same on every device. Usually, the screen sharing button appears right in the call interface.
Here is how it generally works: you start a call, find the screen sharing icon, confirm the system permission – and the other person sees your screen. If the button is missing, it is usually about the app version, the phone model, or the call mode where the feature is not yet available.
| What You Need | Usually Enough |
| App | Updated WhatsApp |
| Mode | Active call or video call |
| Permission | Screen recording confirmation |
| Internet | Stable Wi-Fi or mobile data |
Where Do You Even Turn on Screen Sharing in WhatsApp on a Phone?
When someone is looking for where to turn on screen sharing, they are usually already in a call and do not want to read long instructions. In WhatsApp, this button is not hidden in the phone settings – it is right on the conversation screen. Whether you can turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp without video largely depends on your device and app version, so it is best to rely on what the interface shows on your end.
What to Do on Android
On Android, the sequence is usually this: open the chat, start a call or video call, then look at the bottom part of the call screen. There is often a screen sharing icon or a button inside the additional actions menu.
After you tap it, the system will ask for permission to record or cast your screen. Do not be alarmed by the wording – the phone is just warning you that the other person will be able to see everything you open.
- Open the chat with the person
- Start a call or video call
- Find the screen sharing button
- Confirm the system permission
- Open what you want to show
What You Typically See on iPhone
For iPhone owners, it is similar, but the button might be in a slightly different place. I have noticed that some people look for it in Control Center because they are used to the system screen recording feature. But in the case of WhatsApp, it is more logical to first look at the call interface itself.
If the button is there, after you tap it, a standard iOS warning about screen broadcasting will appear. This is a normal step; the function will not start without it.
Real Life: Why Someone Could Not Find the Button the First Time
An acquaintance had this situation: he was trying to show a route during a call but looked for the feature in the chat settings before even starting the call. In the end, he wasted a couple of minutes, got annoyed, and decided the feature did not exist.
Then he simply started a regular video call – and the button appeared right on the conversation screen. I am not saying it is like that for everyone, but this exact confusion happens often.
| Where People Look | Where It Usually Is |
| WhatsApp Settings | No, not there |
| Chat before the call | Usually not there |
| Active call screen | Yes, most often there |
| Additional actions menu | Sometimes right there |
If you are also figuring out calling in the app in general, many people find it helpful to understand whether you can call people through WhatsApp for free – because sometimes the issue is not the button but the very format of the connection.
How to Turn on Screen Sharing If a Video Call Is Already in Progress?
The most common situation is simple: the video call is already running, and now you need to figure out on the fly how to turn on screen sharing. In WhatsApp, this is usually done right during the conversation, without a restart. If you are wondering whether you can turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp after the call has already started, the answer is generally yes.
Step by Step Without Extra Fuss
First, make sure the call is active and the control interface is visible. If the buttons have hidden themselves, tap the screen once – the controls will reappear.
Then tap the screen sharing icon. After confirmation, the system will start transmitting your screen, and the camera feed might shrink, turn off, or stay in a small window – it depends on the phone.
| Step | What Happens |
| Tap the screen | Control buttons appear |
| Tap screen sharing | System window opens |
| Confirm | Broadcast starts |
| Minimize WhatsApp | The other person sees your screen |
What I Would Check Right Away
I have noticed myself: when the feature does not start, the reason is often trivial. Either WhatsApp has not been updated in a while, there are pop-up windows over the interface, or the phone is just lagging.
I once tried to turn on screen sharing on an older device – it did not work. Then I realized why: the app had updated, but the phone’s system itself was already struggling to handle it smoothly. Formally, the button was there, but in practice, the broadcast would freeze.
If the Call Is Happening from a Computer
There is a nuance here. On a computer, the calling logic sometimes differs from the mobile version, and not all features appear on all platforms at the same time. So, if you are calling from a laptop, it is worth first clarifying whether you can make calls through WhatsApp on a computer – some people get confused already at this stage.
For an official guide on feature changes, it is best to check the service’s own WhatsApp Help Center. Sometimes the capability already exists, but it has not yet reached your specific app build.
Why Is the Button Missing or Not Working?
When people look for where to turn on screen sharing, it often turns out that the issue is not where to tap but why the button is not visible at all. Can you turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp on any phone? This is precisely where there is no complete universality. The device model, OS version, and the app itself strongly affect the result.
The Most Frequent Reasons
The problem is most often one of several things. It is not always a serious error – sometimes a couple of simple checks are enough.
- WhatsApp is not updated
- The phone has not received system updates in a long time
- The feature has not yet arrived on your model
- The internet is too unstable
- The system permission for screen recording has not been granted
- The call is in a mode where the button is not shown
A Mini Story About Permissions
Someone once wrote to me that screen sharing seemed to start, but the other person could not see anything. I suggested checking the system window, which the person had absentmindedly closed without reading.
I am not sure this applies to everyone, but the logic is this: without confirmation, the phone simply does not give the app the screen image. From the outside, it looks like a malfunction, but in reality, it all comes down to one tap.
| Symptom | What to Try |
| No button | Update WhatsApp and restart the call |
| Black screen for the other person | Check broadcast permission |
| Everything freezes | Check internet and close unnecessary apps |
| Button is there but unresponsive | Restart the app or the phone |
If Video Is Also Acting Up
Sometimes the problem is broader than a single feature. If the camera is also not starting, it is worth looking into why video call is not working in WhatsApp – because screen sharing and video calling share some of the same limitations.
By the way, Wikipedia has a good general explanation of how screen sharing works in video calling apps. It is not a guide for WhatsApp, but it helps understand why the system asks for permissions so strictly and warns about privacy.
Can You Share Your Screen in a Group Call, and What about Security?
When you need to explain something to several people at once, the question usually sounds like this: can you turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp not one-on-one but in a group. It generally works so that the feature is available in group calls as well, but much depends on the app version and exactly how the call is set up.
What Is Convenient in a Group and What Is Not So Much
Screen sharing in a group helps when you need to show a photo, a document, settings, or a website. But there is a nuance: if someone’s internet is flaky, the picture quality may suffer more than in a regular one-on-one call.
Many people experience that everything looks more chaotic in a group: someone is talking, someone joins later, someone’s audio cuts out. So it is better to close extra tabs and notifications in advance.
What Is Better Not to Show
In my opinion, it is better to pause for a second before broadcasting and check what is open on your phone. The screen shows not only what you intended but also pop-up banners, chat names, sometimes emails, and other little things.
| Before Sharing | Why Do This |
| Close extra chats | So personal messages do not pop up |
| Turn off notifications | So no one sees anything extra |
| Open the needed screen in advance | So you do not have to search during the call |
| Check battery | Broadcasting drains battery faster |
If you are just setting up a call and are unsure about the mechanics itself, it is sometimes helpful to first clarify whether you can create a group call in WhatsApp. Then it is easier to understand how to integrate screen sharing without fuss.
A Short Story Without a Perfect Ending
I have noticed myself: when people turn on screen sharing in a group, they often forget about notifications. Once during a group call, someone received several personal messages in a row, and the whole rhythm of the conversation got a bit disrupted.
Nothing critical happened, but since then, before such calls, I simply turn on a mode where banners do not pop up. It is not a cure-all, just a small habit that usually helps.
How to Cast WhatsApp to a TV, and Does It Make Sense?
Interestingly, some people look not only for how to turn on screen sharing but also for how to cast WhatsApp to a TV. This is no longer about the built-in call feature but rather about mirroring your phone’s screen to a larger display. Can you turn on screen sharing in WhatsApp and immediately see it on a TV? Technically yes, if your phone supports mirroring.
What Is Important Not to Mix Up
Screen sharing in WhatsApp is what the other person sees. Casting to a TV is what you see at home on a large screen. These are two different processes that sometimes work together and sometimes just interfere with each other.
If your phone is weak or the network is unstable, the double load can cause lag. So I would first test regular screen sharing without the TV, and only then add mirroring to the TV.
When This Is Really Useful
An acquaintance had this situation: he needed to show his relatives some settings on a large screen because they could not see the small text well on the phone. He connected the phone to the TV and simultaneously talked on the call.
It was not perfect – the audio drifted a couple of times – but the explanation itself became clearer. So the idea works, but it is not always smooth.
- For a large home screen – convenient
- For older phones – might be heavy
- For detailed instructions – often useful
- For long calls – the battery drains faster
If you are comparing WhatsApp with other apps, it makes sense to also look at which messenger allows you to turn on screen sharing – sometimes the scenario that works for you is completely different from the one you started with.
What Else to Check Before the Call So You Don’t Get Confused During Sharing?
Once someone has figured out how to turn on screen sharing, the little things remain that later annoy more than the setup itself. You already know where to turn on screen sharing, but before the call, it is better to quickly check a few more things. They save nerves better than any instructions.
A Small Checklist Before Starting
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Check that your internet is not unstable
- Open the file or page you want to show in advance
- Close personal conversations and email
- Turn off unnecessary notifications
- Put your phone on charge if the conversation will be long
If the Issue Is Not Sharing but Calls in General
Sometimes, in parallel, someone wants to set up the video call itself. Then it is also useful to separately look at how to activate a video call in WhatsApp – just so you do not mix two different tasks into one.
And if calls, on the contrary, are bothersome and you want some quiet, the topic also has another side – can you simply block calls in WhatsApp? Also a common everyday question, especially when the app is used for both work and personal communication.
Another Small Thing Rarely Considered
If you are going to show something important and then want to keep the conversation for yourself, people sometimes also look for how to record a phone call in WhatsApp. Here I would only remind you: with recording, it is always better to be careful and consider the other person’s privacy in advance.
| Check | Why It Helps |
| Latest app version | Eliminates some weird glitches |
| Needed file already open | Less fuss during the broadcast |
| Notifications turned off | Less risk of showing something extra |
| Charger nearby | Phone won’t die mid-conversation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my screen without a video call?
Usually, the feature is tied to an active call. On some devices, it works in regular audio mode as well; on others, it is easier to start a video call.
Will the other person see notifications?
Yes, if they pop up on the screen during the broadcast. So before sharing, it is better to temporarily mute them.
Why is there sound but no picture?
This is usually about the screen recording permission or an app glitch. Try restarting the call and confirming the system window again.
Can I stop sharing without ending the call?
Yes, you can usually turn off the screen sharing separately and continue the conversation.
Why doesn’t everyone get the feature at the same time?
That is how updates work: they are rolled out gradually. Plus, a lot depends on the phone and the system version.
What to Remember from All This
Screen sharing in WhatsApp is usually turned on right during the call, not somewhere deep in the settings. If the button is missing, I would first check the app version, permissions, and the phone itself.
Most difficulties here are not about a “broken feature” but about small things: the wrong call mode, accidentally closing a system window, an old device, or a weak internet connection. Before sharing, it is better to close anything extra and turn off notifications – this often saves you from awkward moments.
I am not sure this works exactly the same for everyone, but in most cases, the logic is simple: first the call, then the share button, then the broadcast confirmation. If you try it, write in the comments how it went for you. I am genuinely curious.
Glossary
Screen sharing – when the other person sees what is open on your phone or computer.
Video call – a call with camera video, where screen sharing is often launched.
Broadcast – transmitting the picture from your device to another person during a conversation.
System permission – a pop-up window from your phone where you confirm that an app can show your screen.
Screen mirroring – sending the picture from your phone to a TV or another large screen.
Call interface – the screen with buttons during a call: microphone, camera, end call, and other functions.
Group call – a call where several people participate simultaneously.
Stable connection – internet without sudden dropouts, where audio and video do not fall apart.
