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Share your screen on Facebook Messenger for iPhone and Android, here's how

We break down how to instantly share your photos and surf social media with friends on Facebook's chat platform.

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Alison DeNisco Rayome Managing Editor
Managing Editor Alison DeNisco Rayome joined CNET in 2019, and is a member of the Home team. She is a co-lead of the CNET Tips and We Do the Math series, and manages the Home Tips series, testing out new hacks for cooking, cleaning and tinkering with all of the gadgets and appliances in your house. Alison was previously an editor at TechRepublic.
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David Priest Former editor
David Priest is an award-winning writer and editor who formerly covered home security for CNET.
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Alison DeNisco Rayome
David Priest
2 min read
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Facebook

Facebook's Messenger chat platform now includes screen sharing for iOS and Android mobile devices, expanding its video chat features given the many people still working and socializing from home as coronavirus cases spike across the US. Adding screen sharing to both Messenger video calls and Facebook's new video chat platform, Messenger Rooms, helps Facebook better compete with popular services such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. 

Messenger's phone feature lets you instantly share your screen with friends and family, either in video calls with up to eight people or using the Messenger Rooms feature to chat with up to 50 people, with no time limit. You can also screen share in Messenger Rooms while on web and desktop. 

Screen sharing allows you to scroll through your photos, surf social media or shop together online with friends more easily than before, Facebook said. Room creators can determine whether to limit the ability to screen share to just themselves or make it available to all participants on the call. (Messenger Rooms also lets you create custom backgrounds, livestream video chats and watch videos together from the platform.)

Screen sharing is now available globally on the latest versions of Messenger's Android and iOS apps, desktop apps and web version. 

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Watch this: Facebook unveils Messenger Rooms

How to use Facebook Messenger screen sharing on your phone

  • Open the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android.
  • Start a video call by selecting one or more contacts and tapping the camera icon.
  • Once on the call, swipe up on the toolbar at the bottom (where you find the icons for hanging up or turning your mic off). 
  • From the expanded menu, tap Share your screen. 

From that point on, the other people on the video chat will be able to see a live view of whatever is on your phone screen. The video chat interface will move to the upper right hand corner of your phone, so you'll still be able to see your friends on camera while you show them what's on your phone.

Want more Facebook video chat tips? Check out how to set up Facebook Messenger Rooms and how Messenger Rooms compares to Zoom. You can also find more Zoom alternatives for video chatting and tips for how to look your best on a webcam.