WhatsApp has introduced a cutting-edge feature for millions of users: Screen Sharing. This amazing feature allows you to share your entire phone screen with others in real-time during a video call. This feature is extremely useful when you want to quickly show someone an app, photo, presentation, or other important content. To start screen sharing, you must first be in a video call.
How to share your screen during a video call
Sharing your screen on WhatsApp is very easy; you just need to follow a few simple steps:
Tap ‘More Options’ (three vertical dots) in the video call controls, and then tap ‘Share screen’.
After this, your phone will display a prompt indicating that you’re about to start recording with WhatsApp.
You can now select ‘Share one app’ > ‘Next’ > the app you want to share, or you can also choose ‘Share entire screen’ > ‘Share screen’.
To stop screen sharing, tap ‘Stop Sharing’
During screen sharing, video feeds from all call members will appear below the content being shared. WhatsApp also warns that if a user isn’t saved in your contact list, share your screen only with trusted people.
Screen Sharing Security and Privacy
WhatsApp has implemented strict security measures. The company clearly states that screen sharing is protected by end-to-end encryption and is never recorded on WhatsApp. This means that no user outside the call, not even WhatsApp itself, can see or hear the content shared on your screen.
Important Warning: It’s extremely important to note that the screen you’re sharing also contains personal information like usernames and passwords, and the user you’re sharing the screen with can see them. The screen sharing option is not available during audio calls.
For a better experience, WhatsApp recommends keeping your phone updated to the latest operating system and the latest version of WhatsApp. If a user isn’t using the latest version, they’ll be prompted to update before sharing their screen.
Zoho Arattai vs. WhatsApp
A new Indian messaging and calling app has posed a challenge to WhatsApp. Zoho has launched a new app called ‘Arattai,’ which is free for everyone and is being touted as an Indian alternative to WhatsApp. Zoho claims that Arattai works perfectly even on low-end smartphones and slow networks.
This new messaging app includes features like voice and text messaging, image and document sharing, audio and video calls, and group chats with up to 1,000 members. The app also has dedicated channels for structured communication. “Arattai” means “informal conversation” in Tamil, which indicates that the app aims to offer informal and casual chatting.