Manage Screen Sharing and Screen Control in FaceTime
During a one-to-one FaceTime video or audio call, you can share your screen with another person, or they can request to see your screen. After you share your screen, they can request or you can allow them to remotely control your screen.
Find out how: To view a task below, select the plus button next to its title.
How can you tell if screen sharing or screen control is on?
Screen sharing: On an iPhone or iPad, appears at the top of the screen. You can also tap the screen to show FaceTime controls, then check for “Viewing My Screen” below a person’s name or contact information.
On a Mac, appears in the menu bar.
Screen control: On an iPhone or iPad, “Remote Control Active” appears at the bottom of the screen.
On a Mac, appears in the menu bar.
What can the other person do during screen sharing?
The person you’re sharing your screen with can:
See most of the content on your screen.
Tap, draw, or write on your screen (the circle, drawing, or writing disappears after a few seconds).
Request remote control of your device (you can accept or deny).
The person you’re sharing your screen with with cannot:
See any notifications you get.
See the keypad when you enter your passcode. (By default, passcodes and passwords appear as dots.)
See content that requires a subscription, a free trial, or a purchase or rental to view.
What can the other person do during screen control?
The person remotely controlling your screen can:
Open and close apps, windows, or files.
Change settings.
Delete items.
Send messages.
Shut down your device or restart your Mac (this ends the FaceTime call and screen control).
The person remotely controlling your screen cannot:
Change certain Apple Account or Face ID & Passcode settings.
Use Apple Pay. (They may be able to make payments with third-party apps; see Introduction to third-party apps.)
Erase your device.
Your Face ID is disabled during a remote control session. You can still navigate your device while your screen is remotely controlled—your actions take priority over remote actions.
Stop screen sharing
iPhone or iPad: Tap .
Mac: Click in the menu bar, then click Stop Sharing.
Ending a FaceTime call also ends screen sharing.
Decline a remote control request
If you receive a remote control request that you want to decline, tap or click Don’t Allow. Screen sharing continues. The other person doesn’t receive a notification that you declined.
Stop remote control
iPhone or iPad: Tap Stop at the bottom of the screen sharing window.
Mac: Click in the menu bar, then click Allow Control. (The button is dimmed.)
Ending a FaceTime call also ends remote control.