To share your screen on Google Meet, join the meeting, click Present now at the bottom, choose A tab, A window, or Your entire screen, then click Share. On a phone, tap More, then Share screen, then Start sharing. To stop, click Stop presenting.
This guide explains which option to choose, how to share sound, how to take over when someone else is presenting, and what to do when sharing doesn’t work.
Quick answer: share your screen in 5 steps
- Join or start a meeting in Google Meet.
- Click Present now in the bottom toolbar.
- Choose A tab, A window, or Your entire screen.
- Select what you want to show.
- Click Share.
Everyone in the meeting can now see your screen. If your camera is on, people still see your video while you present.
Which option should you choose?
This is the decision that matters most. Choosing the wrong one is how people accidentally reveal private tabs or notifications.
| Option | Best for | Sound | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| A tab | Videos, web pages, Google Slides | Shared by default | Highest: only that tab is visible |
| A window | One app, such as PowerPoint, Excel, or a code editor | Turn on “Also share system audio” | High: other windows stay hidden |
| Your entire screen | Switching between several apps | Turn on “Also share system audio” | Lowest: everything is visible, including notifications |
Rule of thumb: share a tab for web content, a window for a single app, and the entire screen only when you need to jump between apps.
How to share your screen on Google Meet (computer)
- Open your meeting at meet.google.com or from Google Calendar.
- Click Present now at the bottom of the screen.
- Pick A tab, A window, or Your entire screen.
- Click the tab, window, or screen you want to show.
- Click Share.
The first time you do this, Chrome may ask for permission to access your screen. Allow it. On a Mac, you may also need to enable screen recording in system settings (see the fixes section below).
How to stop presenting
Click Stop presenting in the Meet window, or use the sharing banner your browser shows at the top of the screen.
How to present when someone else is already presenting
Click Present now, choose what to share, then select Present instead. Your screen replaces the other person’s.
How to join a meeting only to present
If you’re in a room with Meet hardware, or you want to avoid echo, use Companion mode. On the join screen, click Present instead of Join now. Only your screen is shared, and no audio or video is sent or received from your laptop.
How to share your screen on Google Meet (Android and iPhone)
- Join the meeting in the Google Meet app.
- Tap More (the three dots).
- Tap Share screen.
- Tap Start sharing and confirm any system prompt.
On iPhone and iPad, iOS may show a broadcast prompt. Confirm it, then switch to the app you want to show.
Before you start: turn on Do Not Disturb. A phone shows every incoming message and notification to the whole meeting. Also keep the Meet app updated, since the menu layout can change between versions.
How to share sound on Google Meet
What you can share depends on what you present:
- A tab: the tab’s sound is shared by default, so a video plays for everyone with no extra setup.
- A window or entire screen: turn on Also share system audio in the selection dialog before you click Share.
If participants can’t hear your video, stop sharing and present it again as a tab. It’s the most reliable way to get clean audio with the least lag.
Who is allowed to present?
Screen sharing can be turned off in two places:
- Host controls. The meeting host can limit who is allowed to share.
- Workspace admin settings. If you use a work or school account, your administrator may block sharing for your organization.
If you’re the host: open Host controls (the shield icon), review the sharing setting, and choose who can present.
If you’re a participant: when Present now is missing or greyed out, ask the host for permission. If the host has allowed it and it still doesn’t work on a work or school account, contact your admin.
Google Meet screen share not working? Quick fixes
The Present now button is missing or greyed out
The host or your admin has probably restricted sharing. Ask the host to allow it, and make sure you’re using an up-to-date version of Chrome.
Your shared screen is blank on a Mac
macOS blocks screen capture until you allow it. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording, switch on your browser, then restart the browser and rejoin the meeting.
Chrome won’t let you select anything
Check that Chrome has screen access in your system settings, update Chrome, and reload the Meet tab.
Participants see a black screen
Some protected content, such as certain video apps, can’t be captured. Try sharing a tab or a different window. If ordinary apps also show black, turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome’s settings and relaunch the browser.
Still stuck?
Close extra tabs, disable browser extensions, try an Incognito window, then restart your device.
6 tips for a smoother presentation
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so notifications don’t appear on screen.
- Close what you don’t need. Fewer tabs means better performance and less risk of oversharing.
- Open your slides or files first so you’re not searching while everyone watches.
- Run a quick test with a colleague before important meetings.
- Use two monitors if you can. Share one, and keep Meet and your notes on the other.
- Check text size. If text looks small to viewers, increase the font size or zoom in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I share my screen on Google Meet from my phone?
Yes. In the Meet app, tap More, then Share screen, then Start sharing. Silence notifications first, because they will be visible to everyone.
How do I share a video with sound on Google Meet?
Share the video’s browser tab, since tab audio is shared by default. For a window or the entire screen, turn on Also share system audio first.
Why can’t I share my screen on Google Meet?
Most often the host or your Workspace admin has disabled sharing. On a Mac, Chrome may also lack Screen Recording permission. Check those two things first.
Can I take over when someone else is presenting?
Yes. Click Present now, choose what to share, and select Present instead.
What is Companion mode?
Companion mode lets you share your screen from a laptop while a meeting room device handles the audio and video. It prevents echo and keeps your laptop from sending sound.
Conclusion
Click Present now, pick a tab, window, or entire screen, and click Share. Choose the narrowest option that does the job, share a tab when sound matters, and switch on Do Not Disturb before you start. If sharing is blocked, the cause is almost always the host’s settings, your admin’s settings, or Mac screen recording permission.
