WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. One handy feature is the ability to share your iPhone screen with someone else on a WhatsApp call. Screen sharing allows you to showcase anything on your iPhone display to provide visual guidance, collaborate on a project, or just show off some fun photos. Follow along as we detail how to use WhatsApp’s screen sharing feature on an iPhone.
Requirements for Sharing Your iPhone Screen on WhatsApp
Before getting into the step-by-step guide, there are a few requirements to keep in mind:
- Both you and the person you want to share with must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- You must be on a 1-on-1 WhatsApp call in order to activate screen sharing.
- Your iPhone must be running iOS 12 or later.
- The other person’s device must be running the latest OS version to view shared screens.
As long as both parties meet these requirements, sharing your iPhone screen via WhatsApp call is quick and easy. Now let’s look at how to do it.
Step 1: Start a WhatsApp Call
To begin, initiate a WhatsApp call with the contact you want to share your screen with. To start a call:
- Open WhatsApp and select the Chats tab.
- Tap the contact you want to call.
- Tap the Phone icon in the top right corner.
- On the call screen, tap the Video Camera icon to switch to a video call if desired.
You will now be on a WhatsApp call with your contact. A regular voice call works for screen sharing, but a video call allows you to see each other as well.
Step 2: Tap the Screen Share Icon
Once your WhatsApp call is up and running, tap the Screen Share icon at the bottom of the call screen. On an iPhone, this icon looks like two overlapping rectangles in the bottom center of the screen.
Tapping this will open a view showing the contents of your iPhone display. At this point, your screen is not being shared yet – you will need to confirm screen sharing in the next step.
Step 3: Confirm Screen Sharing
After tapping the Screen Share icon, WhatsApp will show a prompt confirming you want to start sharing your screen. The prompt will show a countdown timer from 5.
To begin sharing, press Start Broadcast before the timer ends. If you change your mind, tap Stop Broadcast to cancel.
Once you confirm, your iPhone screen will broadcast directly into the WhatsApp call for the other person to view.
Step 4: Stop Sharing Your Screen
When you are done showing your iPhone’s screen, you can disable screen sharing at any time:
- Tap the Screen Share icon again.
- Tap Stop Broadcast on the popup confirmation.
Your screen sharing session will end immediately. The regular WhatsApp call will continue as usual.
Extra Tips for Sharing Your Screen on WhatsApp
Here are some additional tips to get the most out of WhatsApp’s screen sharing feature on your iPhone:
- Resize the shared area – You can resize the portion of your screen that is shared by pinching and zooming during the broadcast.
- Show your camera feed – Tap your selfie camera preview to show that as well as your screen.
- Disable notifications – Prevent notifications from interrupting your screen share by enabling Do Not Disturb mode.
- Use landscape orientation – Rotate your iPhone to landscape to share your screen in a wider view.
- Charge your iPhone – Screen sharing uses extra battery, so make sure you have enough power beforehand.
Keep these tips in mind to enhance your iPhone screen sharing experience on WhatsApp calls.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Screen Sharing on iPhone
If you are having issues getting WhatsApp screen sharing to work properly on your iPhone, here are some troubleshooting steps to resolve problems:
Can’t Find the Screen Share Icon
- Update to the latest version of WhatsApp – Screen sharing requires the newest update.
- Ensure you are on a 1-on-1 WhatsApp call – Screen sharing does not appear on group calls.
- Restart your iPhone – Close and relaunch WhatsApp to make the icon appear.
Screen Share Icon is Greyed Out
- Update your iPhone’s iOS – You may need iOS 12 or later.
- Allow WhatsApp access to your iPhone’s screen – Enable screen recording access in Settings > Privacy > Screen Recording.
- Reboot both iPhones – Try restarting both devices if the icon remains greyed out.
Poor Video Quality During Screen Sharing
- Check your internet connection – Weak mobile data or WiFi can cause lag and pixelation.
- Reduce on-screen motion – Excessive scrolling or animations will lower quality.
- Adjust your camera angle – Hold your phone at a better angle centered on the screen.
Call Disconnects During Screen Sharing
- Improve your signal strength – Move closer to a cellular tower or WiFi router.
- Close other apps – Suspend battery intensive apps during your call.
- Disable Low Data Mode – WhatsApp may throttle quality when this iOS setting is enabled.
Following this troubleshooting advice should help resolve any screen sharing difficulties you encounter on WhatsApp for iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing Your iPhone Screen on WhatsApp
Does screen sharing work on both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business?
Yes, the screen sharing feature is available on both the standard WhatsApp client and WhatsApp Business for iOS. The steps to activate it are the same in both apps.
Can I share my screen on a WhatsApp group call?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp has limited screen sharing to one-on-one calls only. You cannot share your iPhone screen with multiple people on a group call.
Is screen sharing possible on WhatsApp video calls as well?
Definitely! Screen sharing works whether you initiate a standard voice call or video call on WhatsApp for iPhone. Tap the screen share icon during either call type to activate it.
Can I share my screen if I’m not using an iPhone?
WhatsApp has made screen sharing available on both iPhones and Android smartphones. As long as both devices meet the minimum OS version requirements, screen sharing will work across platforms.
Is there a time limit for sharing my screen on WhatsApp?
There is no hard limit to the duration of WhatsApp screen sharing sessions. You can share your iPhone screen for as long as desired during a call.
Will sharing my screen use up my cellular data?
Yes, WhatsApp screen sharing will consume your cellular data allotment while active, just like a normal WhatsApp call. Use WiFi whenever possible to avoid excessive mobile data usage.
Can I share copyrighted content from my iPhone over WhatsApp screen sharing?
It is recommended not to share copyrighted content like movies, TV shows, or music via WhatsApp screen sharing, as this can violate intellectual property laws in certain regions.
Conclusion
Sharing your iPhone screen on WhatsApp is easy and convenient when you want to provide visuals along with a call. With just a few taps, you can showcase photos, give a presentation, collaborate on documents, and more over a WhatsApp video chat. Follow the steps outlined above to get started sharing your iPhone display, enhance the experience with our tips, and troubleshoot any issues that arise along the way. WhatsApp screen sharing is a handy communication tool for both work and play.