Instagram, the social media giant of photo-sharing, has evolved into a versatile platform for connecting with friends and family. Video calls have become a popular way to interact in real-time, but what if you want to share more than just your face?
Thankfully, Instagram offers a screen-sharing functionality within video calls, allowing you to showcase apps, websites, photos, or anything on your device’s screen. Here’s a comprehensive guide to unlocking the power of screen sharing on Instagram video calls:
Initiating a Video Call:
Before sharing your screen, you need to initiate a video call. Here’s how:
- On Your Mobile Device (Android and iPhone):
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to the conversations screen by tapping the Messages icon at the top right.
- Find the conversation of the person you want to video call and tap on it.
- Look for the video call icon (it resembles a camera) at the top right corner of the chat window. Tap on it.
- The call will initiate, and your friend will need to accept it to connect.
Starting the Screen Share Feature:
Once you’re connected on a video call, here’s how to activate screen sharing:
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- Locate the media share icon: During the video call, locate the media sharing icon at the bottom of your screen. It looks like two squares, with a picture on one and a video sign on the other.
- Find the screen share icon: This icon will open up a view of your entire gallery, but ignore all that. Simply find the screen-sharing icon at the bottom right of the screen. It looks like a rectangle with an upward arrow in it.
- Confirm your decision: Tap on this icon. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to start sharing your screen. Tap “Start Now” to proceed. Your camera will turn off as your screen is now being shared.
Once you’ve initiated screen sharing, your friend on the video call will see what’s happening on your device’s screen. You can now navigate through apps and websites or open specific photos or videos to share with them.
Important Considerations During Screen Sharing:
- Viewers have no control: The person you’re video calling cannot directly control your device while you’re screen sharing. They can only see what you’re showing them.
- Block some notifications: For a smoother experience, consider minimizing notifications on your device before screen sharing. That will prevent pop-ups from interrupting your presentation.
- Be mindful of your privacy: Be mindful of what you share during screen sharing, especially if you’re showcasing personal information or apps.
Ending the Screen Share Session:
When you’re finished sharing your screen, here’s how to end it:
- Tap on the minimized video call window to maximize it and pause screen sharing.
- Then tap “Stop Sharing” to end the screen sharing and turn your camera back on.
Conclusion
Screen sharing on Instagram video calls allows you to collaborate, share ideas, or simply showcase something interesting on your device. Following these steps, you can master screen sharing on Instagram and enhance your video call interactions.
