Yes, you can screen share Apple TV on FaceTime, but only on certain devices and only in one direction

You can share your Apple TV screen during a FaceTime call, but the feature works differently depending on what device you are using. If you are calling from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can show your Apple TV screen to the other person on the call. However, the person you are calling cannot share their screen back to your Apple TV — screen sharing on Apple TV is receive-only, not two-way.

The catch is that your Apple TV must be running tvOS 17 or later, and you must be signed in with the same Apple ID on both your Apple TV and the device you are calling from. If you are using an older Apple TV model that cannot run tvOS 17, screen sharing will not work.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen sharing from iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV works during FaceTime calls only if your Apple TV runs tvOS 17 or later.
  • You must use the same Apple ID on your Apple TV and your calling device, and both must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The person you are calling sees your Apple TV screen, but they cannot share their screen back to your TV.
  • To start sharing, open Control Center during the FaceTime call and tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV.

What Apple TV models support screen sharing on FaceTime

Screen sharing during FaceTime calls requires an Apple TV with tvOS 17 or later. This means Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) and newer models support the feature. If you own an Apple TV HD or an older Apple TV 4K model from 2017 or earlier, you cannot use FaceTime screen sharing.

You can check your Apple TV's software version by going to Settings, then System, then About. If your version number starts with 16 or lower, you will need to update to tvOS 17 or later. Updates happen automatically if your Apple TV is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, but you can also force an update manually through the same Settings menu.

How to screen share from iPhone or iPad during a FaceTime call

Start a FaceTime call on your iPhone or iPad with the person you want to share your Apple TV screen with. Once the call is active, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list of available devices.

Your Apple TV screen will appear on the other person's device within a few seconds. They will see everything that appears on your TV — apps, videos, photos, or any other content. To stop sharing, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

How to screen share from a Mac during a FaceTime call

On a Mac running macOS 13 or later, open FaceTime and start a call. Once the call is connected, click the screen sharing icon in the FaceTime window — it looks like two overlapping rectangles. A menu will appear showing your available devices. Select your Apple TV from the list.

Your Mac screen will share to your Apple TV, and the person on the call will see what you are showing. To end screen sharing, click the screen sharing icon again and select Stop Sharing.

Requirements for screen sharing to work

Both your Apple TV and your calling device must be signed in with the same Apple ID. This is a security measure that prevents anyone on your Wi-Fi network from sharing to your TV without permission. If you use different Apple IDs, screen sharing will not appear as an option.

Both devices must also be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your iPhone is on your home Wi-Fi and your Apple TV is on a guest network, or if one device is using cellular data, screen sharing will not work. Check your Wi-Fi settings to make sure both devices are truly on the same network.

Your Apple TV must be awake and not in sleep mode. If your TV has been idle for a while, wake it by pressing a button on the remote or by tapping it with your iPhone if you have an Apple TV remote with touch controls.

What you can and cannot share

When you screen share your Apple TV during a FaceTime call, the other person sees your entire TV screen in real time. This includes apps, streaming content, photos, documents, or anything else displayed on your TV. The video and audio from your TV are both shared, so if you are watching a movie or playing music, the other person hears it too.

You cannot share just a single app or window — screen sharing shows everything on your Apple TV. If you want to share only part of your screen, you would need to use a different method, such as AirPlay from your iPhone to your Apple TV, then screen share your iPhone instead of your TV directly.

Troubleshooting when screen sharing does not work

If Screen Mirroring does not appear in Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, check that your Apple TV is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Also restart your iPhone or iPad by powering it off and back on.

If your Apple TV appears in the Screen Mirroring menu but you cannot connect, verify that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID and that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you recently changed your Apple ID password, sign out of your Apple TV and sign back in with your updated credentials. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then sign out, then sign back in.

If the FaceTime call drops when you try to screen share, your Wi-Fi connection may be unstable. Move closer to your router or restart your Wi-Fi by turning off your router for 30 seconds and turning it back on. If the problem continues, try using a wired Ethernet connection on your Apple TV if you have an Apple TV model with an Ethernet port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the other person on the FaceTime call control my Apple TV while screen sharing?

No. Screen sharing is view-only for the person receiving the share. They can see your Apple TV screen, but they cannot control it, click on apps, or change the volume. Only you can control your Apple TV using your remote or your iPhone.

Can I screen share my Apple TV to multiple people on a FaceTime call at once?

Yes. If you are on a group FaceTime call with multiple people, all of them will see your Apple TV screen when you start screen sharing. There is no limit to how many people can view the shared screen.

Does screen sharing use a lot of Wi-Fi bandwidth?

Screen sharing does use Wi-Fi bandwidth, but not as much as streaming video from a service like Netflix. If your Wi-Fi is slow or unstable, screen sharing may lag or drop. A stable connection of at least 5 Mbps read speed is recommended for smooth screen sharing.

Can I screen share my Apple TV if I am not home?

No. Both your Apple TV and your calling device must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, you cannot screen share to your Apple TV unless you are connected to the same network, such as a work or school Wi-Fi that your Apple TV is also on.

What happens to my screen share if the FaceTime call ends?

Screen sharing stops when ready when the FaceTime call ends. Your Apple TV will return to whatever was on the screen before you started sharing. You do not need to manually stop screen sharing when you hang up.