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Ask to share a screen#

Ask to Share Screen is a connection request that gives you access to a host only after the person at the host approves it. That person sees who is asking, chooses whether you can control the host or only view it, and can stop sharing at any time. Nothing is shared until they accept.

For example:

  • A video editor or designer shows a colleague their work live, and gives them control to test a change.
  • A support technician helps a family member or customer who is at the host.

Applies to#

  • Jump Desktop on Windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android Beta, and the Teams dashboard in a web browser.
  • Hosts running Jump Desktop Connect on Windows, macOS, or Linux Alpha, in a personal account or a team.
  • A user must be signed in at the host, with Connect running. You must have access to the host.
  • All plans.

Ask to share a screen#

Right-click the host and choose Ask to Share Screen. You can also click Ask to Share Screen when prompted for the host's username and password.

Right-click the host and choose Ask to Share Screen. You can also click Ask to Share Screen when prompted for the host's username and password.

Touch and hold the host, then tap Ask to share screen.

Touch and hold the host, then tap Ask to share screen. You can also tap Ask when prompted for the host's username and password.

In the Teams dashboard, click Ask to share screen next to the host, or choose Ask to share using browser or Ask to share using app.

While the request is pending, Jump Desktop shows Asking to share screen....

What the person at the host sees#

A Screen Sharing Request appears on the host with your name, your email address, and three choices:

Choice Result
Allow Control You see the screen and can use the mouse and keyboard.
View Only You see the screen but cannot control it.
Ignore The request is declined.

If the person does not respond within 30 seconds, the request ends.

While sharing is active, a toolbar remains at the top of their screen. From the toolbar, they can:

  • Pause sharing.
  • Turn mouse and keyboard control on or off.
  • Choose which displays to share.
  • See who is connected and disconnect anyone.
  • Stop sharing.

They can also choose Stop Screen Sharing from Connect's menu.

If the request doesn't go through#

In Jump Desktop on Windows, macOS, iPhone, and iPad, Unable to start screen sharing appears with the reason:

Message What to do
The user declined the screen sharing request Ask the person to try again when they are ready.
The user did not respond to the screen sharing request Ask the person to watch for the request, then send the request again.
A user is currently not available to accept the screen sharing request A user must be signed in at the host with Connect running. If that user is already responding to another request, send your request again after that request is resolved.
The remote computer does not support screen sharing requests Update Jump Desktop Connect on the host.

For other connection problems, see Can't connect to a host.

Share with several people#

Multiple people can view the same screen simultaneously. Each person sends a separate request that requires its own approval, and Allow Control or View Only applies to everyone. Each person's pointer appears with their first name, and the person sharing can disconnect anyone from the toolbar.

The person at the host can also invite you with a link: in Jump Desktop Connect, under Share your screen, they click Copy Link and send the link to you. When you open the link, they still receive a Screen Sharing Request to approve. To open a link in a web browser, see Open a screen sharing link.

A team administrator can turn off sharing links with the Screen Sharing setting in Connect Configurations (Jump Desktop for Teams Enterprise). This setting does not turn off Ask to Share Screen. See Configure computers with Connect Configurations.

Check that it worked#

You see the host's screen, and the person at the host sees the sharing toolbar, with you in the list of connected people.

Limitations#

  • Screen sharing sessions do not support virtual displays, clipboard sync, or USB redirection.
  • In Jump Desktop for Mac, Privacy Mode is not available in these sessions.