Frankly, screen sharing is probably one of the coolest features on Discord. You can stream your whole screen as well as a separate app, which is very convenient if you don’t want to show unnecessary information to your conversation partner.
There are actually two ways to share your screen via Discord: in a voice call and on a server channel. Nevertheless, you need to perform almost the same steps. In a nutshell, you need to click the “Share Your Screen” button, select a screen or app you want to stream and click “Go Live.”
There are also quality settings for screen sharing. You can change the resolution from 720p to 1440p and the frame rate from 15 to 60 FPS. However, this is available only with a Nitro subscription. Without it, you can only stream at 720p with a maximum of 15/30 FPS.
In general, for average users like me, these parameters are enough. But a subscription will do you good if you plan to stream often and for a large audience.
Below is a detailed guide on how to share your screen on Discord.
How to share your screen in a voice call on Discord
In addition to what I said above, I would also like to add that you can screen share not only through the Discord desktop app but also on your mobile device. So let’s look at how to do it both ways.
On desktop
- Once you start a voice call, click the Share Your Screen button.
- Select the screen or application you want to stream.
- Adjust the quality settings and click Go Live.
- To stop screen sharing, return to Discord and click the Stop Streaming button.
On mobile
- Once you start a voice call, open additional options from the bottom and tap Share Your Screen.
- After that, tap Start Broadcast.
- To stop screen sharing, return to the Discord app and tap Stop sharing.
This will end the screen share session, and your screen will no longer be visible in the voice call.
How to share your screen in a server channel on Discord
Here’s the same situation as above but with a slight difference.
If it’s your server, then you won’t have any problems. But if you enter someone else’s server, you may not have permission to share your screen. So keep that in mind and, in case of doubt, contact the admin before you start streaming.
Let’s look at how this works on desktop and mobile.
On desktop
- Go to the server and enter the voice channel.
- Then click the Share Your Screen button at the bottom left.
- After that, in the same way as shown above, select the screen or app window you want to stream, choose the frame rate and resolution, and click Go Live.
- To stop screen sharing, click the Stop Streaming button, just like in a voice call.
On mobile
- Join the voice channel on the server and open additional options from the bottom.
- Select Share Your Screen.
- Tap Start Broadcast.
- To end the stream, tap Stop sharing.
You can use the above screenshots. There is no visual difference between the voice call and server voice channel menus.
How to manage your stream on Discord
During your stream session, you can change different parameters. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do:
- First, click the little arrow icon under the highlighted screen share button. There you will have some options.
- Stream Quality: If you have a Nitro subscription, you can change your stream’s Frame Rate and Resolution.
- Change Windows: If multiple monitors are connected to your computer, you can select the specific screen you want to share. Alternatively, you can choose to share a specific app window instead.
These options are only available for the Discord desktop app.
How to allow screen sharing on a Discord server
You can allow or prohibit screen sharing separately for each voice channel on your Discord server. Here’s how:
- Go to your server, highlight the voice channel, and click the gear icon to open its settings.
- Next, navigate to the Permissions tab and scroll down to Video.
- To disable this permission for server members, click on the red cross icon. To allow it, click on the green checkmark.
- Finally, click Save Changes.
Once you have completed these steps, ask someone to start screen sharing on your server to check if everything works well.
Is it safe to screen share on Discord?
Screen sharing on Discord is generally safe when used within the platform’s intended guidelines. However, exercising caution and taking certain precautions is essential to protect your privacy and security. Here are some factors to consider:
- Trustworthy participants: Ensure you screen share with individuals or groups you trust. Only share your screen with people you know or those with a legitimate reason to view your content. Avoid screen sharing with strangers or in public servers where you’re unfamiliar with the participants.
- Private voice channels: Use Discord’s voice channels for screen sharing instead of public channels. Private voice channels limit access to a specific group, reducing the risk of unauthorized individuals joining the session.
- Limit sensitive information: Be mindful of the content you share on your screen. Avoid displaying sensitive or personal information, such as passwords, financial details, or personal conversations, as they can be inadvertently captured and shared.
- Check your settings: Review your Discord settings and ensure that your screen share options are configured to your preferences. For example, you can choose whether to include audio with your screen share or toggle overlays for voice chat. Adjust these settings based on your needs and your desired level of privacy.
- Keep your Discord client current: Regularly update your Discord client to ensure you have the latest security patches and feature enhancements. Discord frequently releases updates to address vulnerabilities and improve the overall user experience.
- Beware of malicious links or downloads: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources during a screen share session. Exercise caution and be wary of potential phishing attempts or malware disguised as harmless content.
- Respect others’ privacy: If you’re participating in someone else’s screen share, respect their privacy and refrain from capturing or sharing any sensitive information without their consent.
While Discord has security measures to protect user privacy, it’s essential to remain vigilant and take responsibility for your actions when screen sharing.
