Facebook Live is a feature on Facebook that allows users to broadcast live video streams to their followers. During a Facebook Live broadcast, the streamer can share their webcam, smartphone camera, or other video device to show themselves or whatever they are doing in real time.
A common question that comes up is whether you can screen share during a Facebook Live broadcast – that is, show your computer or device screen in addition to (or instead of) a webcam video feed. The short answer is yes, it is possible to screen share on Facebook Live, but it requires a few extra steps compared to a normal video stream.
Ways to screen share on Facebook Live
There are a couple different ways you can go about screen sharing during a Facebook Live video:
- Use a third-party broadcasting software/app like OBS Studio, Streamyard, Be Live, etc. These programs allow you to capture and stream your screen in addition to other video and audio sources.
- Screen share from your mobile device using the Facebook Live Producer app (iOS only).
- Use the native Facebook Live screen sharing on Facebook Desktop – this is only available on the computer web version of Facebook.
The most flexible and full-featured option is to use a dedicated streaming program like OBS Studio. This will give you options like capturing specific windows, adding overlays and graphics, switching between multiple video/audio sources, and more control over the stream.
The native Facebook Live screen sharing from Facebook Desktop is more limited but easier to set up directly within Facebook’s interface. And the Facebook Live Producer mobile app makes it easy to go live from your iOS device and include screen sharing.
Let’s look more in-depth at how to set up screen sharing using each method.
Screen Sharing with OBS Studio
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is a free and open source software program for video recording and live streaming. It’s popular among professional streamers and online content creators.
Here are the basic steps to screen share using OBS Studio and Facebook Live:
- Download and install OBS Studio on your computer from https://obsproject.com.
- In OBS, click the “+” button in the Sources panel to add a new Source. Select “Display Capture” to capture your entire screen, or “Window Capture” to capture a specific open window.
- In the Source properties, select the monitor/window you want to capture.
- You can now preview the screen capture feed in the OBS preview panel.
- Go to Settings > Stream and select Facebook Live. Enter your Facebook login details to connect your account.
- To start the stream, click Start Streaming. Your screen will now be shared live to Facebook!
OBS provides a lot of options for customizing your screen share stream – you can add webcams, graphics, overlays, transitions, and more. There are many tutorials online for using OBS with Facebook Live. The benefit is full control over your stream layout and quality.
Screen Sharing from iOS with Facebook Live Producer
If you want to share your iOS device screen during a Facebook Live broadcast, you can use the Facebook Live Producer app.
Here is how to screen share on Facebook Live from an iPhone or iPad:
- Download the Facebook Live Producer app from the iOS App Store.
- Open the app and log in with your Facebook account details.
- Tap the screen share icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles.
- Select the iOS screen you want to share – your full device screen, or a specific app.
- Tap Go Live and you will start streaming your iOS screen to Facebook.
- Swipe left to return to your device camera view. You can switch between screen share and camera video while live.
- To stop the broadcast, tap Finish.
This makes it easy to share your mobile gameplay, app demos, device tutorials, and more – great for mobile gaming streams, product reviews/unboxings, how-to videos, and other content direct from your iPhone or iPad.
Native Screen Sharing from Facebook Desktop
In late 2021, Facebook rolled out native screen sharing functionality for desktop. This allows you to go live and share your screen directly from the Facebook website, without needing any third-party software or apps.
To screen share from Facebook Desktop:
- Go to Facebook.com and log in.
- Click the Live Video icon.
- On the Live With screen, click Go Live.
- Click the icon that looks like two stacked rectangles to enable screen share.
- Select the screen you want to share – your entire display, or an open app/window.
- Click Go Live. Your screen will now be shared to your Facebook stream!
- To stop sharing your screen, click the icon again. You can toggle between camera and screen share.
- When finished, click End Live Video.
This built-in desktop screen sharing option makes it easy to share your computer screen to Facebook without any third-party software. However, you don’t get as much customization over your stream layout and settings compared to using a program like OBS Studio.
Requirements for Screen Sharing on Facebook
To enable screen sharing on Facebook Live, you need:
- An account on Facebook with access to Facebook Live streaming.
- The latest version of Facebook app/website if using native screen sharing.
- Broadcasting software like OBS Studio if using a third-party encoder.
- For mobile, the Facebook Live Producer app installed on your iOS device.
There are also some optimal system requirements for smooth screen sharing performance:
Computer/Laptop Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 7 or later, MacOS 10.10 or later.
- CPU: Intel i5 2.5 Ghz or higher (i7 recommended).
- RAM: Minimum 4 GB (8 GB+ recommended).
- Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 series or newer.
- Internet connection: 2-4 Mbps upload speed (wired connection preferred).
Mobile Requirements
- Device: iPhone/iPad with iOS 12 or later.
- OS: Make sure you have the latest iOS update installed.
- Internet connection: LTE/4G or WiFi with 2-4 Mbps upload speed.
- Facebook Live Producer app from iOS App Store.
Meeting these technical requirements will ensure your screen sharing looks smooth and unpixelated for your viewers.
Tips for Screen Sharing on Facebook Live
Here are some tips to help you get great results sharing your screen on Facebook Live streams:
- Check your stream preview: Inspect how the screen share looks in the broadcasting software preview. Make adjustments to capture settings if needed.
- Close unused programs: Quit any apps/programs you don’t need open to declutter your screen and conserve system resources.
- Adjust audio: Balance game, system, and microphone audio levels appropriately so viewers can hear everything.
- Use window capture: When possible, capture a specific window instead of entire display for smoother performance.
- Interaction is key: Engage with your viewers through chat and comments to build an audience.
Following these tips will help you deliver clean, professional-looking screen sharing streams that are engaging and interactive for viewers.
What You Can and Can’t Screen Share on Facebook
For the most part, you are free to screen share any content you want during a Facebook Live broadcast. However, there are some limitations on what types of screen sharing are allowed:
Allowed
- Games and apps
- Computer/mobile desktop and programs
- Media playback like videos, music, etc.
- Browser tabs and websites
- Software tutorials, product demos, etc.
- Presentations, slides, designs, artwork
Not Allowed
- Illegal/pirated movies and content
- Pornography, graphic violence, hate speech
- Hacking/cracking programs and tutorials
- Other content that violates Facebook’s policies
As long as your screen shared content doesn’t violate Facebook’s Community Standards, you should be fine live streaming it. Use good judgement when deciding what to screen share publicly – keep itlegal, avoid nudity/violence, and don’t share personal information.
Common Uses for Screen Sharing on Facebook
Screen sharing on Facebook Live opens up new possibilities for streaming engaging, interactive content. Some popular ways people are using screen sharing include:
- Gaming: Streaming PC or mobile gameplay like Fortnite, Minecraft, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and more.
- Mobile apps: Demoing and reviewing new apps, showing how to use your favorite mobile apps.
- Tutorials: Software tutorials for Photoshop, coding, music production – teach your skills!
- How-tos: Showing how to do something on your computer like editing videos, building a website, etc.
- Reactions: Sharing your commentary and reactions to trending videos, news, events.
- Q&As: Answering live questions from your audience with on-screen examples.
The creative possibilities are endless! Screen sharing lets you give your Facebook followers a window into your desktop or mobile world. Take advantage of this feature to create informative how-tos, entertaining gaming streams, and other engaging content.
Conclusion
Screen sharing is now available on Facebook Live through third-party encoders like OBS Studio, the Facebook Live Producer mobile app, and the native desktop streaming workflow.
Though technical requirements must be met, going live with screen share makes it possible to stream a wide range of content directly from your computer or mobile device. From gaming to demos and tutorials, screen sharing opens up new interactive streaming possibilities on Facebook.
Use this guide to understand how to set up screen sharing for your Facebook Live broadcasts. With some practice and preparation, you can live stream your on-screen activity and engage with audiences in real time.