What's happening when audio shares but your screen doesn't
When you use Share System Audio on a Mac during a screen share, you're sending two separate streams to the other person: your screen image and your audio output. These don't always travel the same path or use the same permissions. Your Mac may allow audio to pass through while blocking the screen because the two features check different settings, use different system frameworks, and sometimes require different approvals from you.
The most common reason is that screen recording permission hasn't been granted to the app you're using. macOS treats screen capture as a privacy-sensitive action — similar to camera or microphone access — and requires explicit permission. Audio output, by contrast, doesn't need special permission because it's already leaving your speakers; the system just routes it differently when you're in a call.
Key Takeaways
- Screen sharing and audio sharing use different permission systems on macOS, so one can work while the other is blocked.
- The app you're using (Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, or another) must have screen recording permission in System Settings under Privacy & Security.
- Restarting the app after granting permission usually fixes the problem without needing to restart your Mac.
- Some apps require you to enable audio sharing separately from screen sharing, even after permissions are granted.
How to check screen recording permission on macOS
Open System Settings and go to Privacy & Security in the sidebar. Scroll down to find Screen Recording. You'll see a list of apps that have requested this permission. Look for the app you're trying to use — Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, FaceTime, or whatever you're using for the call.
If the app is listed but the toggle next to it is off, turn it on. If the app isn't listed at all, it hasn't asked for permission yet. In that case, quit the app completely, reopen it, and try to share your screen again. The app should prompt you to allow screen recording. Click Allow when the dialog appears.
After you grant permission, close the app entirely and reopen it. Some apps don't recognize the new permission until they restart. Then try sharing your screen again — audio should now come through alongside it.
Why audio works without the same permission
System audio output is treated differently from screen capture. When you play music, watch a video, or hear a notification, that audio is already being sent to your speakers or headphones. When you enable Share System Audio during a screen share, you're just redirecting that same audio stream to the call participant instead of (or in addition to) your speakers.
Because the audio is already leaving your Mac through normal channels, the system doesn't require the same privacy gate. The app only needs permission to access your microphone if you're recording your own voice, which is a different setting. Screen capture, on the other hand, is a new action — the app is reading pixel data from your display — so macOS requires explicit permission for that specific capability.
Separate toggles for screen and audio in some apps
Some calling apps have two separate controls: one to start screen sharing and another to enable system audio. In Zoom, for example, you start a screen share, and then a checkbox for Share computer sound appears in the sharing menu. In Microsoft Teams, you may need to click a separate audio icon after you've started sharing your screen.
Check the app's sharing menu or toolbar carefully. If you see two separate toggles or buttons — one for screen and one for audio — make sure both are turned on. The screen permission must be granted in System Settings, but the audio toggle is usually just a checkbox within the app itself.
What to do if permission is already granted but screen still won't share
If screen recording permission is already on in System Settings but your screen still isn't sharing, try these steps in order:
- Quit the calling app completely (not just minimize it).
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording and toggle the app off, then back on.
- Reopen the calling app and try to share your screen again.
If that doesn't work, restart your Mac. Screen recording permissions sometimes get stuck in a cached state, and a restart clears that. After restarting, open the app and attempt the screen share once more.
If you're using an older version of the app, update it to the latest version. Older versions sometimes have bugs with screen capture on newer versions of macOS, and the app developer may have fixed the issue in a recent update.
Different rules for different apps and macOS versions
The exact location of screen recording permission and the way apps request it has changed across macOS versions. On macOS 10.15 (Catalina) and later, screen recording permission lives in System Settings under Privacy & Security. On older Macs, the setting may be in System Preferences under Security & Privacy, and the behavior may differ slightly.
Some apps, particularly older ones, may not support system audio sharing at all, even if screen sharing works. Check the app's documentation or support page to confirm it supports Share System Audio on your version of macOS. If it doesn't, you may need to upgrade the app or use a different calling platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my audio work in one app but not another?
Each app has its own screen recording permission setting. You may have granted permission to Zoom but not to Teams, for example. Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording and verify that every app you use has the toggle turned on. Audio sharing may work differently in each app too — some have a separate checkbox you need to enable.
Can I share system audio without sharing my screen?
Not in most calling apps. System audio sharing is designed to accompany screen sharing so the other person hears the audio from whatever you're showing them. If you want to share audio without your screen, you'd typically need to share your microphone instead, which is a different feature and doesn't require screen recording permission.
Do I need to restart my Mac after granting screen recording permission?
Usually not. Restarting the app is almost always enough. Close the calling app completely and reopen it, then try to share your screen. If that doesn't work after a few minutes, then try restarting your Mac, but a full restart is rarely necessary.
What if I don't see the app in the Screen Recording list?
The app hasn't requested permission yet. Quit the app, reopen it, and try to share your screen. A permission dialog should appear asking you to allow screen recording. Click Allow. If no dialog appears, the app may not support screen sharing on your version of macOS, or you may need to update the app.