How to Fix FaceTime Screen Share/SharePlay Not Showing

Apple has introduced some cool features with the iOS 16 update. The game of online interaction has been stepped up with FaceTime Screen Share allowing users to share screens in real-time. 

However, you might be missing out on this much-raved feature if your Face time is not showing correctly. Why isn’t the screen share not showing on iOS 16 and looking for ways to troubleshoot the problem?

This article explains everything you need to know about Screen Share, and 7 tried and tested ways of fixing the problem. So without much ado, let’s dig in!

What is FaceTime Screen Share?

FaceTime Screen Share is a standout feature of the iOS 15 that lets you share screens to watch videos, browse websites, and collaborate on projects together. Users can share their screens via the ScreenPlay feature over a FaceTime call. 

Don’t know how it works? Here is a quick step-by-step tutorial on how to use Screen Share on iPhone. 

Step 1. Run the facetime app and start a call with someone on your friend list. 

Step 2. Once the call is connected, tap on the screen to open the controls and click on the SharePlay and Screen My Screen option. A countdown from 3 to 1 will run on the screen to notify you about the screen share.

Step 3. Now, the screen has been shared. Go to Home and open the app, video, or anything you want to share in the call.

Step 4. To stop sharing, tap on the Screen Share icon again. 

Is Screen Share Available on iOS 16?

While updating the iOS 16, users are often confused about whether the feature is available on the iOS 16 too. The answer is yes! 

The feature was not a part of the initial iOS update released on September 20th. Apple announced postponing the Screen Share feature until a later version. 

However, it is available on iOS 16.1 now. Users can share screens on Facetime and enjoy videos together.  

Why Do I Not Have Screen Share on My iPhone?

Is the Screen Share not working on your iPhone? Is the icon grayed out? 

Many users have complained about being unable to share screens while Facetiming friends. Either the screen goes blank, or the feature is grayed out. This has prevented them from enjoying these cool perks of FaceTiming. 

Several reasons have been identified to cause this issue. 

1. Adding an Emoji alongside a Contact’s Name

FaceTime may not work correctly if you have added an emoji alongside a contact’s name. Adding emojis to a contact number crashes the feature. 

2. Your location does not Support SharePlay

Facetime is currently supported at specific locations. Countries including Qatar, Jordan, Saudia Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates do not support the Facetime SharePlay. The feature in these countries will be unresponsive.

3. Poor Signal Strength

The functionality of the feature largely depends on good network signals. A poor or unstable connection can disable the feature until a good network connection is achieved. 

4. Software Glitch

A glitch in the software can also cause the FaceTime SharePlay to crash or malfunction. 

5. Using iOS Beta

If you are using iOS 15 Beta, then issues are expected. The feature does not work well with iOS 15 Beta. 

6 Ways to Fix FaceTime Screen Share Not Working on iOS 16

Agitated by Facetime Screen Share not Working on iOS 16? No worries, because we have got you covered. This part of the article presents the six tried and tested ways to fix the problem. 

1. Remove Emojis on FaceTime Screen Contact Names.

Adding emoticons alongside the contact number crashes the app. If this is hindering the functionality of FaceTime SharePlay, then deleting the emoji will resolve your problem immediately. 

Here is a simple step-based tutorial to remove the emojis:

1. Open Contacts on your phone. Search for a contact saved with an emoji.
2. Open the contact and tap on the Edit icon. 
3. Remove the emoji from the contact’s details and click Done.
4. Run FaceTime and call the contact again. 

2. Restart FaceTime

FaceTime SharePlay functionality may be disrupted because of a potential glitch or crashdown. This can be fixed by closing and re-launching FaceTime again. Let the app rest for a while, and rerun it in a few minutes. 

If it still doesn’t work, then restart the FaceTime application. Here is how to do it in a few easy steps. 

1. Go to the Settings menu on your iOS device.
2. Scroll and search for FaceTime and click on the Toggle button to disable the app.
3. Now reboot your device using the buttons on the side.
4. Go back to the Settings menu and enable FaceTime by clicking on the toggle. Re-run the application now. This will probably kill the issue. However, if the problem persists, we have other ways to try.

3. Fix iPhone with System Repair Tool

If you want a quick solution about screen share not showingon iOS 16 related issues on your Apple device, get PhoneRescue for iOS to help you. With PhoneRescue for iOS,  you can not only fix iOS 16 screen share not showing complaints, but also resolves a lot of iOS-related issues without data loss.

Step 1. Once you get PhoneRescue for iOS installed, open it and go to Device Rescuer. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the computer.

Step 2. Choose Repair iOS System and continue.

Step 3. Choose Advanced Mode, which will reboot your iPhone to normal after repairing and won’t erase data.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter Recovery Mode. Then click the Download button to get a matching firmware package for your iPhone.

Step 5. And PhoneRescue will start repairing immediately. Once finished the process, you will get the completed page as below. Your iPhone will swipe normally.

4. Force-restart your iPhone

It might seem bizarre, but force restarting your device solves most iPhone problems. Rebooting the phone can fix internal software issues, so applications run smoothly. 

Here is how to do this on different iPhone models:

iPhone 6 and Previous Models

• Press and hold on to the Power On/Off button. 
• Simultaneously press and hold the Home button.
• Keep pressing and holding on to the two buttons for approximately 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
• Let the phone reboot. Launch FaceTime and see if it works. 

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Model

• Press and hold the Power On/Off button.
• Simultaneously, press and hold the Volume Down button. 
• Hold the two buttons for approximately 10 seconds. Release when you see the Apple logo on the screen. 
• After the phone restarts, run FaceTime SharePlay and see if it works properly. 

iPhone 8, X series, and Later Models

• Press the Volume Up button.
• Press the Volume Down button.
• Now press and hold the Power On/Off button until the Apple logo appears.
• The iPhone will reboot and will probably fix any software issues.

5. Connect to A Stronger WiFi

SharePlay will not work if you are connected to an unstable network or have poor WiFi signal strength. To fix this, you need to connect to a stronger WiFi.

Here is how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app and tap WiFi.
2. Tap the toggle button to turn it on and search for available networks. 
3. Connect to the strongest WiFi option on the list. (more curved lines, the stronger the connection).

Run the FaceTime app and see if SharePlay works. If the problem continues, resetting the Network Settings may fix the problem. 

Here is how to reset Network Settings:

1. Open the Settings app and locate General.
2. Scroll down and search for Reset settings. 
3. Tap on the Reset option followed by Reset Network Settings. Enter your password to confirm and reset all the network settings. This should fix the SharePlay problem. If it doesn’t, we still have two other ways to try.

6. Confirm Your iOS version is Supported

The SharePlay feature is only supported on iOS 15 and above. The functionality will not be available if you have an iOS lower than this. 

So here is how to check which Software version of iOS is running on your phone. 

1. Open the Settings app on the phone and tap General.
2. Now locate About and open it. 
3. Check the iOS software in the Software Version. 

If you are using iOS lower than iOS 15, it’s time to update it.

1. Open Settings and tap on General. 
2. Tap on Software Update. See if any system updates are available for your phone. 
3. Tap Install to update the iOS version. 

Already using iOS 15 and still facing the problem? Check whether the person you are trying to connect with has the correct version. FaceTime SharePlay will not work if it is not compatible with one of the two devices. 

7. Ensure SharePlay Is Enabled

The last method on the list is to check if SharePlay is enabled on your device or not. It may not work because it is disabled on your device. 

Follow the steps and check if SharePlay is enabled:

1. Go to the Settings app and tap on FaceTime. 
2. Find and tap on SharePlay to open it.
3. Here, ensure the toggle is on. If it was off, turn it on, re-run FaceTime, and see if it works. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which iPhone models support FaceTime screen-sharing function?

FaceTime Screen Share is supported by all iPhones, irrespective of their models. The only essential requirement is that they should have iOS 15 or above. 

How do I enable screen sharing on iOS?

Screen sharing can be enabled in three simple steps:

• Go to the Settings app and tap on FaceTime. 
• Find and tap on SharePlay to open it.
• Here, ensure the toggle is on. If it was off, turn it on, re-run FaceTime, and see if it works. 

Final Word

Screen Share/SharePlay has improved online interactions greatly. However, users have complained about the Screen Share not showing on iOS 16. The article summarises the possible diagnosis and six fixes to solve the problem. Among them, if you want to try the quickest and most successful approach, then downloading the PhoneRescue for iOS is the best option