About
Screen Share puts something live on a screen for a while: a sales presentation, a dashboard, a video call or a file on your laptop. Share from the web portal yourself, or send a guest a link so they can share without an account. When you stop, the screen goes back to its normal content by itself. Pro and Ultimate.
Get Started
You need a computer with an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari) and an online screen; you don’t need to be on the same network or install anything. Only Owners, SuperAdmins and Admins can open a screen’s settings. Screens are at my.playsignage.com/screens.
Share your own screen
Share your screen
- Go to Screens and click the gear icon on the screen’s row
- Click the Screen Share tab (after Settings and Information)
- Under Private screen share, click Start
- Choose what to share in your browser, and click Share
The window closes and the screen shows your picture within moments. Keep the web portal tab open: closing or reloading it stops the share. Start is greyed out when the screen is offline (Screen offline).
Choose a tab, a window or your whole screen
- A browser tab: only that tab, for a website, dashboard or online presentation
- A window: only that app, like PowerPoint or Keynote
- Your entire screen: everything, including notifications
One tab or window keeps the rest of your computer private. Some browsers let you switch tabs while sharing (Share this tab instead).
Stop sharing
- Click Stop sharing in your browser’s sharing bar (in Chrome and Edge usually at the bottom of your screen), or close the shared tab or window
There’s no Stop button in the web portal. The screen goes back to its content within moments.
Let a guest share
Turn on the public link
- Open the screen’s Screen Share tab
- Turn on Allow public screen share
- Click Copy URL (the clipboard icon) next to Public screen share link
- Click Save: the link only works after you save
- Send the link to your guest
The link looks like https://cast.playsignage.com/[screen code], one per screen, and never changes. Anyone with it can share to the screen while it’s on, without asking you, so only send it to people you trust.
Share with the link (for the guest)
- Open the link in a browser on a computer
- Click Start sharing, choose what to share, and click Share
- Keep the Cast Screen page open while sharing
- To stop, click Stop sharing on the page or in the browser’s bar, or close the page
Turn off the public link
- Turn off Allow public screen share and click Save
The link stops working, and a share in progress should stop. Turn it on again later and the same link works again.
Options
The Screen Share tab
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Start | Opens your browser’s sharing window. Greyed out when the screen is offline or on Essential |
| Allow public screen share | Turns this screen’s public link on or off. Off by default |
| Public screen share link | The link, shown while the public link is on |
| Copy URL | Copies the link (Copied to clipboard) |
| Save | Saves the public link setting |
| Remove | Greyed out on this tab: go to another tab to remove a screen |
Messages
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Save screen settings for the public URL to work | Click Save to activate the link |
| This screen’s browser is too old for screen sharing. | The player’s built-in browser probably can’t show a share |
| This feature is only available in our Pro and Ultimate Subscription | Your team is on Essential |
| Public screenshare is disabled for this screen. | The public link is off, or wasn’t saved |
| Open a cast link that includes your screen code. | The link is incomplete |
| Waiting for screen share… / Connecting to shared screen… | On the screen: the share is starting |
| Screen share disconnected | On the screen: the connection was lost; it retries, then goes back to its content |
FAQ
Before you share
Which plans include it?
Pro and Ultimate.
Which devices can share?
Computers (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook) with an up-to-date browser. Phones and tablets can’t share from a browser. Check browser support.
Which players can show a share?
Players whose built-in browser is recent enough for live video (WebRTC). Older smart signage TVs are most likely to have trouble; updating the app or the device software may help. A screen turned off by Turn your TV on and off won’t show it. Test before an important event.
Private or public: what's the difference?
Private: you start it from the web portal while logged in. Public: a link you send a guest, who shares without an account.
Does my guest need a Play account?
No. Turn on the public link, save, and send it to them.
Is the public link safe?
Anyone with it can share to your screen while it’s on, without a password or approval. Only send it to people you trust, and turn it off when you’re done.
Can I get a new public link?
No, each screen has one link. Turn it off to stop people using it.
Is my share recorded?
No. It goes encrypted from your browser through Cloudflare’s live video service to the player, and isn’t recorded.
While sharing
Will the screen play sound?
No, only the picture. To show a video with sound, add it to a playlist. The picture goes up to Full HD at 30 frames a second, with a short delay, so fast video may not look smooth.
Do I need to publish?
No. It starts and stops right away.
What happens to my playlist?
Nothing. The screen shows your share instead, then goes back to its playlist and schedule. A schedule change or a publish during the share may switch it back early; just start again.
Is there a time limit?
No. It runs until you stop, close the tab, or the connection drops.
Can I share to several screens at once?
No, one screen per share, started from that screen’s settings.
Can two people share to one screen at once?
No. A new share, for example through the public link, may replace yours.
Why are there black bars?
The picture keeps its shape. Share a window that fills your screen, or use a 16:9 computer screen, for the biggest picture.
Is it the same as Screen Capture?
No, the opposite. Screen Capture shows you what a screen is showing.
Troubleshooting
Why is Start greyed out?
The screen is offline, or your team is on Essential. Hover to see which. If offline, start the app, check its connection, and reopen the settings.
Why can't I find the gear icon?
Only Owners, SuperAdmins and Admins have it. Ask one of them to start the share or send you the public link.
Why doesn't the public link work?
Check that Allow public screen share is on, that you clicked Save, and that the screen is online.
The screen says Screen share disconnected. What do I do?
Check the internet on your computer and the player. Some company networks block live video (WebRTC); ask your IT team. Then start again.
I closed my laptop without stopping. What happens?
The screen shows Screen share disconnected, retries a few times, and goes back to its content by itself.
It says my screen's browser is too old. What can I do?
Update the player app and the device’s or TV’s software. If that doesn’t help, Screen Share may not work on that device.
My Mac won't let me share. What do I do?
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording, turn on your browser, and restart it.
