You can share your screen on Discord's website by starting a voice or video call, then clicking the screen share button in the call controls
Discord's website version lets you share your screen during calls with the same tools you'd use in the desktop app. Once you're in a voice channel or have a direct message call open, a row of buttons appears at the bottom of your screen. The screen share button looks like a rectangle with a small arrow — click it, choose which window or entire display you want to share, and your friends see what's on your monitor in real time.
The process takes about 10 seconds from start to finish. You stay in control the whole time: you can stop sharing whenever you want, switch between different windows, or share your entire screen instead of just one application. The person on the other end sees your shared content in a window on their side, and you can both talk while it's happening.
Key Takeaways
- Screen sharing on Discord's website requires an active voice or video call — you cannot share a screen in a text channel or without being connected to someone.
- The screen share button sits in the call control bar at the bottom of the call window and looks like a small rectangle with an arrow.
- You can choose to share your entire screen, a single application window, or a browser tab, depending on what you need the other person to see.
- Your screen share stops immediately when you click the button again, and the other person cannot see anything on your screen unless you are actively sharing.
Starting a call before you can share
Screen sharing only works during an active call. If you are in a voice channel, you are already in a call — look for the call controls at the bottom of the channel window. If you are sending a direct message to one person, click the phone icon or video camera icon at the top right of the chat to start a call with them.
Once the call is active, you will see a row of buttons at the bottom: a microphone toggle, a camera toggle, and a few other options. The screen share button is among these controls. If you do not see it right away, look for a button that resembles a small rectangle or window shape — that is the one you need.
Finding and clicking the screen share button
The screen share button appears only during an active call and sits in the control bar at the bottom of your screen. On most browsers, it looks like a small rectangle with a small arrow pointing into it. Hover your mouse over the buttons if you are unsure which one it is — Discord shows a label when you pause over each button.
Click the screen share button once. A menu will pop up asking you what you want to share: your entire screen, a specific application window, or a browser tab. Choose the option that matches what you need the other person to see, then click it. Discord will ask for permission to access your screen (this is a browser security feature), and you will confirm that permission. Within a few seconds, your screen appears in the call window on the other person's side.
Choosing what to share: full screen, window, or tab
When you click the screen share button, Discord gives you three choices. Share entire screen shows everything on your monitor — all open windows, your desktop, and anything else visible. This is useful if you are moving between multiple programs or want to show someone your full setup.
Share application window lets you pick one open program — like a web browser, document, or game — and only that window appears to the other person. Your desktop and other programs stay hidden. This is the safest choice if you have sensitive information open elsewhere on your screen.
Share browser tab shows only the contents of one tab in your web browser. This is the most limited option and works well if you are collaborating on a document, showing a website, or reviewing something online. The other person sees only that tab, not your address bar, bookmarks, or other tabs you have open.
What the other person sees while you are sharing
When you share your screen, the other person sees your content in a large window on their side of the call. They can see everything you see in real time — if you move your mouse, they see it move; if you type, they see the text appear. The video or voice call continues normally while you share, so you can talk and explain what they are looking at.
The other person cannot control your mouse or keyboard — they are only watching. If you want them to take control of your computer, Discord does not offer that feature through the website. You would need to use a separate tool like TeamViewer or Chrome Remote Desktop for remote control.
Stopping screen share and switching what you share
To stop sharing, click the screen share button again. It will turn off immediately, and the other person will no longer see your screen. You can turn it back on at any time during the same call by clicking the button again.
If you want to switch from sharing your entire screen to sharing just one window, or vice versa, click the screen share button again. The menu reappears, and you can choose a different option. There is no need to stop sharing completely — you can swap between choices while the call is still active.
Troubleshooting screen share problems
If the screen share button does not appear, make sure you are in an active call. Screen sharing is not available in text channels or when you are not connected to anyone. Start or join a voice call first, and the button should show up in the control bar.
If the button appears but nothing happens when you click it, your browser may not have permission to access your screen. Check your browser settings and make sure Discord has permission to capture your display. You can also try refreshing the page and starting the call again. If you are using an older browser version, update it — screen sharing works best on current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
If the other person says they cannot see your screen even though you are sharing, ask them to refresh their page. Sometimes the stream takes a moment to load on their end. If it still does not work, both of you can try leaving the call and starting a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my screen on Discord's website if I am using a phone or tablet?
Screen sharing on Discord's website works on computers and laptops but not on phones or tablets. If you are on a mobile device, you would need to use the Discord mobile app instead, and mobile screen sharing is limited compared to the desktop version. For the full screen sharing experience, use Discord on a computer with a web browser.
Does the other person know when I start sharing my screen?
Yes. When you click the screen share button and confirm the permission, the other person immediately sees your screen appear in the call window. They also see a notification that you have started sharing. When you stop sharing, they see it stop right away.
Can I share my screen in a group call with multiple people?
Yes. If you are in a voice channel with several people or in a group direct message call, you can share your screen and everyone in that call will see it. Only one person can share their screen at a time, though — if someone else wants to share, you need to stop first.
What if I want to hide certain windows or information while sharing?
Use the "Share application window" or "Share browser tab" option instead of sharing your entire screen. This way, only the specific window or tab you choose is visible, and everything else on your computer stays private. You can also minimize or close sensitive windows before you start sharing.
Does screen sharing use a lot of internet bandwidth?
Screen sharing uses more bandwidth than a regular voice call but not as much as a video call. If you have a stable internet connection, you should not notice any slowdown. If your connection is slow or unstable, the screen share may lag or become blurry. Closing other programs and browser tabs can help improve performance.