How to Enable Screen Sharing on Zoom

Screen sharing creates clarity and impact. In this post, we’ll instruct you how to share your screen(s) on Zoom using a desktop computer, Android device, or iOS device. We will cover features like Google Drive and OneDrive sharing and turning off full-screen mode. Plus, we’ll show you how Snagit can help capture and annotate important moments.

Before we get into the “how”, let’s review the key functionality options for Zoom screen sharing:

• Share your entire screen or just one app 
• Show slides and drawings, or share a whiteboard
• Share files from Google Drive or OneDrive
• Stop Zoom from going full-screen automatically

Note that with important presentations, it’s a good idea to restart your device before the meeting. This reduces the risk of poor system performance from competing background software.

Now, let’s dive into how you can get started.

How to share your screen with Zoom on a computer (desktop / laptop)

Step 1: start or enter a Zoom meeting

If you are a guest, remind your host to invite others to grant screen share access. Also, close unnecessary applications that may generate system sounds or pop-ups.

Step 2: locate the screen share option in your meeting controls

Locate the green Share Screen button along the bottom interface in your meeting controls. 

Tip: If your Zoom window is too small, the toolbar at the bottom might hide some icons under the “More” option to the right. Hover over “More” for additional options.

Step 3: select which screen or application to share

Under Share, pick Entire screen, then select Screen 1, Screen 2, or Screen 3, etc. This will display everything you have on that respective screen.

Alternatively, display only one application by selecting one of the Application windows. This option avoids clutter and reduces the risk of messaging pop-ups.

Step 4: click Share

Zoom will automatically switch to full-screen mode.

Tip: Pick Maintain current size to prevent content from being distorted. 

Step 5: exit fullscreen mode

Select the View option located in the top right corner or press the ESC key to return to your regular Zoom window.

How to share your screen with Zoom on an iOS device and Android device

Step 1: join the Zoom meeting

Open the Zoom application on your phone or tablet and join (or start) the meeting. 

Step 2: click Share Content

This green button is labeled Share Content. This is located at the bottom of your iPad or iPhone screen.

Step 3: select the type of content to share

Note that sharing services are also supported, including: Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Microsoft OneDrive for Business.  Android devices include the ability to share the phone’s camera feed as well.

Step 4: click Share

After choosing what to share, finish the process by clicking the Share option within the application. Zoom will then display your content to the other participants in the call.

Step 5: stop the share

To end screen sharing, tap the Stop Share option.  This is a red button on the bottom left of the screen on Android devices. The Zoom call will continue.

Tip: The More section of the menu contains an option to pause the share. 

How to enable screen sharing on Zoom for other participants

Step 1: during the meeting, hover over the upward arrow next to Share

Look for the green Share button at the bottom of the Zoom interface. 

• To the right of it, there is an upward arrow
• Choose Advanced sharing options… in the dialog box 
• Ensure the Who can share? option has All participants selected

Useful screen-sharing tips

Share locally stored content or cloud files

Zoom makes showing Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive content easy without worrying about permissions or download links.

Tip: Only PDFs and images are supported when sharing files directly from cloud services.

Options are your friends

Many settings are available before a meeting: full-screen options, allowing others to share, and sizing files. 

Open the chat window

Zoom has a chat feature. To chat, open the chat window. Chat helps manage feedback and questions without people talking over each other. Find this option at the bottom of the Zoom app, or under More.  Use the chat to share links, add emojis, or let participants express thoughts.

Enhance screen sharing with Snagit

Capture key moments

The meeting host may or may not record the entire meeting.  Regardless, you may prefer to take notes rather than reviewing hours of video later. 

Using Snagit, screenshots or recordings can be quickly and easily captured during the Zoom meeting without interrupting it. This is a fantastic way to grab graphs, quotes, or other vital items. Snagit makes it as easy as pressing a single key to add tagged content to your Snagit library quickly.

Annotate your screenshots and trim recordings

With Snagit, you can quickly grab essential parts of the live meeting content and add context not shared in the meeting. With the software, you can:

• Add titles and callouts to add insight
• Use shape tools such as rectangles and circles to direct your eyes to areas of importance 
• Crop edges and even cut out entire parts of the capture
• Generate a sharing link or archive in your library

Use Snagit to eliminate unnecessary meeting time

Use Snagit to record videos, including presentation voiceovers, and share them with your audience as a pre-reader.  This allows meeting attendees to consume at the best time and pace for them.  

This reduces the need for meetings to watch presentations. And the subsequent offline discussion may even eliminate the need for a meeting. And with a fully-functioning 15-day trial, you can get started with Snagit for free today!

FAQs about Zoom screen sharing