Need to share your screen on Google Meet but don’t know how? You’re not alone. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you share tabs, windows, or your entire screen—without the confusion.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you can share anything, you’ll need a Google Meet link. These links are usually shared via email, calendar invite, or chat. Once you click the link, you’ll be taken to the Google Meet interface.
If you’re using a different Google account from the one that received the invite, no worries—you can still join. Just switch to the right account when prompted. Once connected, you’ll land in the main meeting window, ready to interact.
Your On-Screen Controls, Explained
The Google Meet interface is pretty clean. Along the bottom, you’ll see the essential controls:
- Microphone icon: Mute or unmute your mic. Click the small arrow next to it to choose which microphone or speaker you want to use.
- Camera icon: Toggle your camera on or off. A single click disables it, another click turns it back on.
- CC (Closed Captions): You can ignore this unless someone in your meeting needs subtitles.
- Reactions: Thumbs up, clapping, and other emoji responses are available to keep things interactive without interrupting the speaker.
But the real star of the show? That “Present now” button.
Understanding the “Present Now” Button
Clicking “Present now” opens three options:
- A Chrome tab
- A window
- Your entire screen
Each option serves a different purpose. Let’s break them down one by one so you can confidently share the right way.
Chrome Tab Sharing: When You Only Want to Share One Tab
This option is great when you’re presenting a single browser tab—like a YouTube video, a report, or a slide deck.
After clicking Present now > A Chrome tab, you’ll see a list of all open browser tabs. Pick one, and if you want your audience to hear audio (like music or video sound), make sure the “Share tab audio” checkbox is selected.
Only this one tab will be visible to others. If you click away to another tab, they won’t see it. This makes tab sharing perfect for staying focused and private.
Window Sharing: Pick a Specific App or Open Tool
Choosing Present now > A window lets you share any open application—like a PowerPoint file, a PDF reader, or even a drawing tool.
A “window” refers to any individual app or program you have open, whether it’s your snipping tool, a browser window, or editing software like Wondershare. Google Meet will show all the available windows—just click the one you want, and hit Share.
Important tip: You must click the specific window first before the Share button becomes active. If nothing happens when you try to share, you probably forgot to select the window.
Entire Screen Sharing: Show It All
If you’re managing multiple apps, browser tabs, or dragging files around—this is your best option. With Present now > Your entire screen, you give your audience full access to whatever happens on your screen.
If you’re using dual monitors, you’ll see both screens listed. Click the one you want to share, then hit Share. From that moment, everything you do on that screen is visible to your viewers—tabs, folders, pop-ups, everything.
Expect to see a bit of an infinity-mirror effect as your screen displays itself sharing your screen—but that’s totally normal.
Which Option Should You Use?
Choosing the right sharing method depends on what you’re presenting.
- Use a Chrome tab if you want to show a specific webpage, especially if it has audio or video.
- Use a window if you’re showing a file, presentation, or app like PowerPoint or Excel.
- Use your entire screen when jumping between programs or tabs is necessary, and you don’t mind showing everything.
Just remember—only Chrome tab sharing allows audio. So if your presentation includes music, videos, or any kind of sound, you’ll need to share from a tab with “Share tab audio” turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I share audio from a window or entire screen?
No. Only the Chrome tab option allows audio sharing. If you’re playing a YouTube video or any other audio source, you must use Present now > A Chrome tab, and check “Share tab audio.”
- Why can’t others hear my audio even when I share a tab?
It’s likely the “Share tab audio” option wasn’t checked before you hit Share. Stop presenting, go back to Present now > A Chrome tab, select your tab again, and ensure the audio box is ticked before sharing.
- Is it safe to share your entire screen?
Yes—but only if you’re mindful of what’s open. Avoid exposing private messages, sensitive tabs, or unrelated notifications. If you need to switch between many apps, it might be worth temporarily disabling pop-ups or cleaning up your desktop.