Recently, Facebook announced that it is bringing Messenger and Messenger Room’s screen sharing feature to mobile apps. Until now, the screen sharing feature was available when using video calling only is desktop offerings. However, now it will be available on Android, iOS and desktop versions of Messenger, Workplace Rooms, Messenger Rooms, or any other Facebook app that allows you to make a video call.
While users can share their screens with eight people in Messenger, they can share their device screen with up to 16 people in Messenger Rooms. The Messenger Rooms allows up to 50 users to get on a video call and began rolling out to all Facebook users since May.
Facebook added many features on Messenger Android and iOS versions at a time when video call apps’ is surging as people are staying at home and away from family in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Facebook, the screen sharing feature is a fun and engaging way to connect with family and friends on video calls. The feature allows users to share memories from their camera roll, shop online, co-browse social media, and more.
On desktop
Open Facebook.com, Messenger.com, Messenger Rooms or Workplace Rooms.
Create a new room or start a video call.
Click Share screen right at the bottom menu.
Next, click Browser tab,Entire screen, or Application window.
You can keep the call in the background after screen sharing has started and click around the shared apps/tabs if you want.
To end the screen share at any time, click on Stop at the top of the call window.
On mobile
Open the Facebook Messenger app or any other apps supported by Facebook.
Start the video call.
Next, swipe up to expand the options bar while in a call.
Click Share your screen, then start sharing and then start the broadcast.
You can navigate to your other apps while the video call is still in the background.
Swap to the video call if you want to stop screen sharing.
(Image Credits: The Verge)
Soon, new features will be added that will let Rooms creators limit who can share their screens. Additionally, Facebook also intends to expand the feature to support sharing with up to 50 people in Rooms. While the new feature is more of a consumer-focused, it is not much of help to professionals.
Though the Messenger app on Android and iOS have started receiving an update, it could be some time till all devices receive the update. This is because the rollout is staggered and occurs in waves.