Screen sharing in Slack is a game-changer for remote teams. It allows you to share your screen during calls or Huddles, making communication clearer and collaboration smoother. Whether you're troubleshooting, presenting, or brainstorming, Slack's tools - like real-time annotations and dual screen sharing - streamline the process. Here's what you need to know:
- Supported Platforms: Works on macOS (13+), Windows 11 (23H2+), and Linux (Slack v4.43+). For browsers, use Chrome (137+) or Firefox (139+). Safari and Edge aren't supported.
- Key Features: Share your entire screen or specific apps, mute notifications during sharing, and use drawing tools for annotations.
- Plans: Screen sharing is available only on paid plans. Free plans limit Huddles to 2 participants, while paid plans support up to 50.
- Bandwidth Requirements: Minimum 600 kbps for two participants; 2 Mbps for five or more.
To start screen sharing, ensure permissions are enabled on your device, then click the "Share Screen" icon during a call or Huddle. For troubleshooting, check system settings, network ports (UDP 22466), and Slack permissions. Use the desktop app for the best experience.
Slack's screen sharing makes tasks like design reviews, sales demos, and remote support easier and more efficient.
Slack Screen Sharing System Requirements and Plan Comparison
Setting Up Screen Sharing in Slack
System Requirements and Permissions
Before jumping into screen sharing, it’s essential to ensure your system is ready. As of February 2026, the desktop app requires macOS 13 or later, Windows 11 (version 23H2 or later), or Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or RHEL 9.0 or later) with Slack version 4.43 or higher.
If you’re using a web browser, screen sharing through Huddles works on Google Chrome (version 137+) and Firefox (version 139+). Unfortunately, Safari and Microsoft Edge aren’t supported. For extra functionality like drawing on shared screens, stick to the Slack desktop app for Mac or Windows.
A stable internet connection is also key. For a smooth experience, you’ll need 600 kbps (download and upload) for two participants and at least 2 Mbps download plus 600 kbps upload for groups of five or more. To optimize performance, make sure UDP port 22466 is open for outgoing traffic. If this isn’t possible, Slack will switch to TCP port 443, but this might reduce quality.
Once your system checks all these boxes, you’re ready to set up permissions for screen sharing.
Enabling Screen Sharing in Slack
To get started, you’ll need to grant Slack the appropriate permissions on your device:
- macOS: Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Screen Recording. Unlock the settings by clicking the lock icon, check Slack, and restart the app.
- Windows: Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Microphone/Camera, then toggle on "Allow apps to access your microphone/camera" for Slack.
- Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Site settings and add Slack to the "Allow" list for camera and microphone access.
Once permissions are set, screen sharing will automatically be available during calls and Huddles - no extra steps required.
How to Screen Share During Slack Calls
Starting a Slack Call with Screen Sharing
Once your permissions are set up, sharing your screen in Slack is simple. For Slack Huddles, click the headphones icon in any channel or direct message to start the huddle. Then, select the "Share Screen" icon at the bottom of the window. For standard calls, click the "Call" button in a direct message or on a user’s profile, then choose "Share Your Screen" from the call options.
Slack will ask you to pick what you’d like to share - your entire screen, a specific app, or just one window. On mobile devices, tap the three-dots icon during a huddle and select "Share Screen".
Keep in mind, standard Slack calls only allow one person to share their screen at a time. However, Slack Huddles let up to two people share screens simultaneously. This feature is especially handy for team collaborations where multiple members need to present at once. After starting your screen share, you can easily switch between different screens or applications as needed.
Switching Between Screens or Applications
If you need to switch what you’re sharing, stop your current screen share and start a new session, selecting the desired window or monitor. For those with multiple monitors, Slack allows you to choose which screen to share.
"For multi-monitor setups, select the desired screen from the options provided. This will allow you to share specific apps in one screen, leaving the other screen private."
- Ben Stockton, Technology Writer, Online Tech Tips
To stop sharing, click "Stop Sharing" in the bottom-right corner or click the blue screen-share icon to return to video mode. Slack also mutes notifications automatically during screen sharing to avoid interruptions and maintain your privacy.
Managing Participants and Screen Sharing Controls
Once your screen is live, you can manage participants and controls with ease. During a huddle, you can invite more people by clicking the "Invite people" icon. If someone outside the channel tries to join via a link, they’ll need to click "Request Access", and any current participant can approve their request.
By default, all participants can annotate on a shared screen. If needed, you can disable this by clicking the "Draw together" icon. You can also draw yourself using the pencil icon and change pen colors by pressing Control (Windows) or Command (Mac).
| Feature | Free Plan | Paid Plans (Pro, Business+, Enterprise) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Sharing Availability | Not Available | Available |
| Max Huddle Participants | 2 | 50 |
| Simultaneous Screen Sharers (Huddles) | 2 | 2 |
| Simultaneous Screen Sharers (Standard Calls) | N/A | 1 |
Participants can also use stickers like "Raise hand" or "Be right back" for subtle communication. If multiple screens are being shared in a huddle, viewers can expand any shared screen for a better view by clicking on it.
Use Cases for Slack Screen Sharing
Team Collaboration and Brainstorming
Screen sharing in Slack makes team collaboration faster and more focused. When typing out ideas feels too slow, start a huddle and share your screen to keep the momentum going.
The drawing tool adds a visual layer to your discussions. For example, engineers can circle specific lines of code during pair programming to debug together, while design teams can annotate mockups, pointing out elements that need changes. This feature is also handy for side-by-side comparisons of designs, spreadsheets, or technical data.
Huddles come with a dedicated canvas for jotting down meeting notes, sharing links, and uploading files - all while the screen is being shared. These notes don’t disappear when the session ends; they are saved in the conversation tab, so your team can revisit decisions and action items later. To use the collaborative drawing feature, click the "Draw Together" icon, allowing everyone to annotate the screen in real time. You can even switch pen colors by pressing Control (Windows) or Command (Mac).
Screen sharing isn’t just for internal teamwork - it’s a game-changer for external presentations too.
Sales Presentations and Demos
Screen sharing can take your sales presentations to the next level by letting prospects experience your product live. A video demo leaves a stronger impression, making it easier to explain complex features and workflows.
To keep things professional, share only a specific application window to avoid distractions like notifications. Use the drawing tool to highlight key features or data points, keeping your audience engaged throughout the demo. Slack’s paid plans allow up to 50 participants in huddles, making it possible to host demos for large groups or multiple stakeholders at once.
The huddle thread is a great place to share sales materials like pricing links, product specs, or meeting notes during the call. These files and notes remain accessible afterward, so everyone has a record of what was discussed. For stakeholders who miss the live demo, record a short screen-share summary using Slack Clips (up to 5 minutes) and send it as an asynchronous follow-up.
This same functionality is equally effective for resolving technical issues.
Remote Support and Troubleshooting
When it comes to technical support, screen sharing removes the guesswork. Instead of trying to explain what’s happening, users can show their screen, allowing support agents to see the issue firsthand and provide real-time, visual guidance.
The drawing tool is especially useful here. Support agents can circle specific parts of the interface, highlight error messages, or point out configuration steps directly on the user’s screen. For more complex issues, teams can open a huddle in a dedicated channel to "swarm" the problem - multiple engineers can view and discuss the issue simultaneously. Since Slack allows two people to share screens at the same time, you can compare a working setup with the one experiencing problems to pinpoint discrepancies.
During the session, use the huddle thread to post error logs, troubleshooting commands, or links to support documentation. These resources remain saved for future reference, making follow-ups easier. If you’re on a Mac, make sure Slack has "Screen Recording" permissions enabled in System Preferences before starting a session to avoid any delays.
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Troubleshooting Common Screen Sharing Issues
Screen Sharing Not Working
If your screen sharing refuses to start, there are several areas to check: system permissions, subscription plan, and network settings. On macOS, ensure Slack has screen recording permissions by navigating to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy. On Windows, confirm Slack is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall. For docked laptops, try opening the lid or disconnecting external monitors to see if that resolves the issue.
Your subscription plan could also be the culprit. Screen sharing in standard Slack calls is only available on paid plans like Pro, Business+, or Enterprise Grid. On the free plan, Huddles are limited to two participants, which might restrict screen sharing functionality. If you encounter a spinning circle when attempting to share your screen, try minimizing Slack and reopening it after a few seconds.
Network restrictions could block screen sharing as well. Make sure UDP port 22466 is open for outgoing traffic, with TCP port 443 as a fallback. Additionally, your IT team should approve access to the *.chime.aws domain and the IP range 99.77.128.0/18.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, move on to troubleshooting audio or video problems.
Audio or Video Problems During Screen Sharing
Poor audio or video quality often stems from low bandwidth or incorrect device settings. Slack needs at least 600 kbps for both upload and download speeds when two people are screen sharing. For Huddles with five or more participants, the download speed requirement increases to 2 Mbps.
To diagnose issues, use Slack’s built-in test tool: go to Preferences > Audio & Video > Troubleshooting > Run test. Double-check that the correct microphone, speaker, and camera are selected in the settings. Also, confirm that Slack has permissions for Microphone, Camera, and Screen Recording.
If video quality is lagging, switching to audio-only mode can help conserve bandwidth and reduce system strain. On Windows, ensure your audio and graphics drivers are current to support video codecs like AV1, VP9, and H.264. A quick tip: if you’re using an external camera, plug it in before starting the Huddle. Connecting it mid-session may prevent the video from displaying.
If these steps don’t address the problem, consider the performance optimization tips below.
Performance Optimization Tips
Screen sharing lag is often caused by high CPU usage or network congestion. Activating hardware acceleration in Slack’s desktop app settings can shift video processing to your GPU, easing the load on your CPU. Before starting a session, close unnecessary applications and browser tabs to free up system resources.
For a more stable connection, switch to a wired Ethernet setup or use VPN split tunneling to minimize latency and packet loss. Adjust your device to High Performance mode and disable power-saving features that might throttle your CPU or GPU during calls. If your system is running slow, consider disabling noise suppression or turning off your video feed while screen sharing.
| Type of Huddle (including Screen Sharing) | Download Speed Requirement | Upload Speed Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Voice only | 200 kbps | 100 kbps |
| Video/Screen Share (2 participants) | 600 kbps | 600 kbps |
| Video/Screen Share (3 participants) | 1.2 Mbps | 600 kbps |
| Video/Screen Share (5+ participants) | 2 Mbps | 600 kbps |
Source: Slack Help Center
How To Share Screen In Slack Huddles [2026 Guide]
Wrapping It Up
This guide has shown how Slack's screen sharing can simplify teamwork, spark creativity, and provide effective support. By adding visual clarity to conversations, screen sharing in Slack eliminates the need for lengthy explanations. Whether you're reviewing a design mockup, solving a technical issue, or presenting quarterly updates, sharing your screen directly through Slack Huddles keeps everyone on the same page - without the hassle of jumping between apps.
Slack's screen sharing tools go beyond the basics. Features like simultaneous screen sharing and real-time annotation tools make it easy for teams to collaborate in real time. Plus, with integrated Canvas and message threads, any action items or shared resources from your calls are automatically documented in your channel for future reference.
For teams on paid plans, the benefits are even greater. These plans allow up to 50 participants in a single huddle, compared to just 2 on the free plan. Additionally, asynchronous video clips let team members in different time zones record and share screen walkthroughs that colleagues can view whenever it’s convenient.
For the best experience, make sure to use the desktop app with hardware acceleration turned on.
FAQs
How do I enable screen sharing in Slack on my device?
To enable screen sharing in Slack, you’ll need to adjust your device settings to give Slack the permissions it needs.
For Windows:
- Open your device's Privacy settings.
- Navigate to Settings > Privacy and confirm that Slack has permission to access both screen sharing and the microphone.
For macOS:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
- In the sidebar, select Screen Recording and check the box next to Slack.
- Then, under Microphone, ensure Slack is also granted access.
After updating these settings, restart Slack to apply the changes. This ensures you can share your screen smoothly during calls.
What internet speed do I need for screen sharing in Slack?
To have a smooth screen-sharing experience on Slack, a stable internet connection is key. You'll need an upload speed of at least 4 Mbps, though faster speeds can improve video quality, especially when sharing high-resolution content. For optimal results, ensure your connection is steady and free from interruptions during your calls.
Can I use screen sharing on Slack's free plan?
Yes, Slack offers screen sharing on its free plan, but there’s a catch - only one person can share their screen during a call. This works well for quick updates or solving minor issues, even if the feature is somewhat limited.
If you need more robust options, like multiple people sharing screens at the same time or enhanced collaboration tools, it might be worth considering one of Slack's paid plans.
