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Need to present mid-meeting but can't find the screen share button? You're not alone.
In online meetings, the biggest fear isn't lag—it's when your turn to present comes and you're staring at the Google Meet toolbar, unable to find the "Share screen" button.
Especially for first-time Meet users, it's common to get stuck thinking, "I clicked share, so why can't everyone see my slides?" or "Why is there no sound when I share a tab?"
This article walks you through hands-on steps, from computer and phone to Chrome tab sharing, including common pitfalls and solutions.
Before sharing your screen, understand the 3 sharing methods in Google Meet
Google Meet's screen sharing isn't limited to just "your entire screen." Depending on your use case, there are three options:
1. Share your entire screen
Ideal for situations where you need to show multiple windows at once or switch between different software. For example, a designer might need to open Figma and a browser simultaneously for reference images, or an engineer might be demonstrating a workflow.
The downside is that everything on your screen is visible. If you have files or notifications you'd rather keep private, it's best to tidy up your desktop first.
2. Share a single window
This shares only one application window, keeping everything else out of view. It's perfect for presentations where you only need to show PowerPoint or a PDF, while you can still look up information in another window on your own.
This method offers better privacy than sharing your entire screen and is the most commonly used option among office workers.
3. Share a Chrome tab
This shares only a specific browser tab and allows you to opt to "also share tab audio." It's suitable for playing YouTube videos, online course materials, or any situation where attendees need to hear audio from the webpage.
Note: If you switch to another tab, attendees will still see the originally shared tab; it won't follow your navigation.
Google Meet screen sharing tutorial: Desktop version
Step 1: After joining the meeting, click "Present now" at the bottom
Once you're in the Google Meet meeting screen, move your mouse to the bottom of the screen, and the toolbar will appear automatically. Find the "Present now" button, which has an icon of a box with an upward arrow.
Step 2: Choose the sharing type
Clicking it will bring up three options:
- Your entire screen: Share the whole screen
- A window: Share a single window
- A Chrome tab: Share a Chrome tab
Select the option that fits your needs.
Step 3: Confirm the screen you want to share
If you choose "A Chrome tab," a list of all open tabs will appear. Check the box for "Also share tab audio" to share the tab's sound. After selecting, click "Share."
Step 4: Start sharing and verify the status
Once sharing starts, a blue border will appear around your screen, indicating that you are presenting. Google Meet will also display a "You are presenting" prompt, letting you know that everyone is viewing your screen.
Step 5: Stop sharing
To stop, move your mouse back to the meeting screen and click "Stop presenting" at the bottom. After stopping, attendees will return to the regular meeting view.
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Google Meet screen sharing tutorial: Mobile version
The mobile sharing method differs slightly from the desktop, but the concept is the same.
Android phones
- After joining the meeting, tap the "More" icon (three vertical dots) at the bottom.
- Select "Share screen."
- A prompt will appear explaining the scope of screen sharing; tap "Start Sharing" to begin.
- To stop, return to the Meet screen and tap "Stop sharing."
iPhone / iPad
The operation path on iPhone is similar to Android, but you need to enable iOS's screen recording feature first. If you can't find the sharing option on your first try, go to "Settings" > "Control Center" and make sure "Screen Recording" is added.
In practice, mobile screen sharing is best for quickly showing app operations or documents on your phone. It's not recommended for long presentations, as the smaller screen can degrade the viewing experience for attendees.
The 4 most common issues when sharing your screen
Issue 1: Why can't others hear the video sound when I share a tab?
This is the most common stumbling block with Google Meet tab sharing. The key is whether you checked "Also share tab audio" when sharing.
If you didn't check it, only the visual content is shared; the audio won't be transmitted. Solution: Stop sharing, click "Present now" > "A Chrome tab" again, and this time remember to check the audio option before clicking Share.
Issue 2: The screen looks blurry when sharing the entire screen
This is usually due to insufficient network bandwidth, causing Google Meet to automatically lower the resolution of the shared screen. Try closing other applications that are using bandwidth, or switch to sharing a single window to reduce data transmission.
Issue 3: Can't find the "Present now" button
If you joined the meeting on a phone, the button is hidden in the "More" menu, not directly on the toolbar. On desktop, moving your mouse to the bottom of the screen will make it appear. If you still can't find it, make sure you're using the Google Meet web version or the official app, not a third-party embedded view.
Issue 4: Can't see attendees' reactions after sharing the screen
This is normal. When you share your entire screen, the Google Meet meeting view is replaced by your shared content. You can use picture-in-picture mode to shrink the attendees' view into a floating window, allowing you to observe everyone's expressions and reactions while presenting.
Beyond screen sharing, use tools to organize meeting notes
Screen sharing solves the problem of "letting everyone see your screen," but after the meeting, someone still has to compile key points and track action items—another hassle.
If you frequently use Google Meet and manually transcribe and organize meeting notes afterward, consider using an AI meeting notes tool like Tinrec. Its desktop version can directly capture system audio without needing to invite a meeting bot, enabling real-time transcription and automatic generation of summaries, chapters, and action items.
For those who attend multiple meetings a week, the time saved on note-taking is significant.
Summary: Google Meet screen sharing isn't hard—choose the right method and you're set
In short, Google Meet's screen sharing is quite comprehensive. On desktop, you can share your entire screen, a single window, or a Chrome tab, and on mobile, you can share your screen directly.
If you need to play a video or audio material, remember to choose "A Chrome tab" and check the option to share audio. If you're just presenting documents, sharing a single window is cleaner and offers better privacy.
Next time it's your turn to present, think about the type of content you'll share, then choose the appropriate method to avoid last-minute panic.
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