WhatsApp Officially Begins To Roll Out its Screen Sharing Feature

Mark Zuckerberg has just announced the official launch of WhatsApp’s screen-sharing feature. In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg mentioned that WhatsApp now allows users to share their screens during video calls. This announcement comes after a prior report regarding the Beta testing of the screen-sharing feature in video calls.

Although the Meta CEO did not specify whether this is a global release, given that the screen-sharing feature has been in Beta testing for over a month, it is likely that all users will begin to have access to this feature starting today.

With this update, WhatsApp joins platforms like Teams, Meet, and Zoom in allowing users to share documents with their contacts while on a video call. To access it, users can tap or click the ‘Share’ icon and choose to share a specific app or their whole screen. This is similar to how screen sharing functions on common video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.

This feature arrived at an opportune moment for me. During a recent group call with colleagues on WhatsApp, we discussed documented activities and devised implementation strategies. However, navigating the call to access the document proved cumbersome. The new screen-sharing option promises a smoother experience, particularly for document reviews during calls.

You retain full control over this feature. Although your screen content is continuously shared during the video call, you can halt sharing at any time. Additionally, your screen content is only visible after you grant permission.

Techcrunch’s report indicated that WhatsApp plans to release the screen-sharing feature gradually, and it has now started rolling out on all app versions – Android, iOS, and Windows Desktop. This confirms its global release, albeit through a phased approach.