Facebook is launching a new screen sharing feature for Messenger. iOS and Android users can now share their screens from their smartphones and tablets in Messenger Rooms and individual Messenger video calls.
Messenger Rooms was introduced as Facebook’s competitor to Zoom and Google Meet back in April. Since its launch, the company has made frequent updates to it like expanding its maximum user capacity, adding screen sharing support, and more.
The feature comes with a minor restriction as it is not operable in a Messenger Room full to its maximum capacity of 50 people, but works for up to 16 people.
Facebook’s official blog post claims that the company will soon bring support for 50-person Messenger calls, with settings to control screen sharing in the call. Facebook states:
“We will soon add the ability to control who can share their screen in Rooms and expand the number of people you can share your screen with up to 50 within Messenger Rooms. With these new controls, Room creators will be able to determine whether to limit the ability to screen share to just themselves or make the feature available to all participants when creating a room and during the call.”
How to use screen sharing in Facebook Messenger
Messenger’s new screen sharing feature can be used by following these simple steps:
- Once Messenger video call is started, swipe and bring up the control center.
- Tap on ‘Share your Screen‘ > ‘Start Sharing‘.
- Tap ‘Start Broadcast‘.
- Tap anywhere on the grey screen and start using the new feature.
- Swipe up from Messenger and navigate to another app for sharing photos, videos, apps, and more.
- Users can add screen sharing by tapping on ‘STOP‘ in the top-right corner of the Messenger app, or by ending the video call.
The feature can be used to share photos, watch videos together, shop online, or just scroll Instagram. The feature is not available over FaceTime yet, which makes Messenger another app to get an edge over Apple’s native video calling app.
Facebook’s new screen sharing feature is rolling out now to users around the globe.
