You can't stream Peacock directly through FaceTime, but you can share your screen so the other person sees what you're watching
FaceTime has a screen-sharing feature built in, and it works on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. When you turn on screen share during a FaceTime call, the other person sees your Peacock app in real time—they watch the same show or movie you're watching, at the same moment. The audio from Peacock plays through FaceTime so both of you hear it together. This is different from trying to stream Peacock "into" FaceTime, which isn't possible; instead, you're showing your screen while you're already on a FaceTime call.
The process takes about 10 seconds once you're in a call. You don't need any special settings or apps beyond what comes with your device. The person you're calling sees your entire screen, so make sure you close any private tabs or messages first.
Key Takeaways
- Screen sharing in FaceTime lets the other person watch Peacock with you in real time, hearing the audio through the call.
- On iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the FaceTime screen, tap Screen Sharing, then select your device name to start.
- On Mac, click the screen-sharing icon in the FaceTime window and choose your Mac as the source.
- The other person sees your entire screen, so close private windows or notifications before you start sharing.
- Screen sharing works over WiFi or cellular data, though WiFi is more stable for video streaming.
How to share your screen on iPhone or iPad during FaceTime
Start a FaceTime call the way you normally would. Once the call is connected and you can see the other person, swipe up from the bottom of your screen. You'll see the Control Center panel appear at the bottom with various quick-access buttons.
Look for the Screen Sharing button—it looks like a rectangle with lines inside it. Tap it. A menu will pop up showing your device name (for example, "Sarah's iPhone"). Tap your device name to begin sharing. Your screen will now appear on the other person's device, and they'll see whatever you do on your phone or iPad, including opening and playing Peacock.
To stop sharing, swipe up again to open Control Center, tap Screen Sharing, and select Stop Sharing. You'll stay on the FaceTime call; only the screen share will end.
How to share your screen on Mac during FaceTime
Open FaceTime and start a call. Once the call is active, look at the top of the FaceTime window for the screen-sharing icon—it looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing outward. Click it.
A dropdown menu will appear with your Mac listed. Click your Mac name to start sharing your screen. The other person will now see your Mac desktop and everything you open, including the Peacock app. To stop sharing, click the screen-sharing icon again and select Stop Sharing.
What the other person sees and hears
When you share your screen, the other person sees your entire display in a window on their device. If you open Peacock and start playing a show, they see the video playing and hear the audio through FaceTime. The video quality depends on your internet connection—WiFi usually gives a smoother picture than cellular data, especially for streaming video.
Keep in mind that the other person can see everything on your screen: your home screen, notifications, open tabs, and any text messages that pop up. Before you start sharing, close any private windows, clear notifications, or switch to a clean home screen if you want privacy.
Internet connection and data use
Screen sharing over FaceTime uses data from both your connection and the other person's. If you're on cellular data, this can use a significant amount of your monthly allowance, especially if you're sharing video for an extended time. WiFi is the better choice for watching shows together because it's faster and doesn't count against a data cap.
The quality of the shared screen depends on your upload speed. If your internet is slow, the video may appear pixelated or lag behind what you're actually seeing. If the other person reports that the screen is freezing or buffering, ask them to move closer to their WiFi router or suggest switching to a stronger connection.
Troubleshooting common issues
If the Screen Sharing button doesn't appear in your Control Center on iPhone or iPad, you may need to add it. Go to Settings, tap Control Center, then tap the plus sign next to Screen Sharing to add it to your Control Center.
If the screen share starts but the video is choppy or keeps freezing, the connection may be too weak. Try moving to a location with stronger WiFi, or ask the other person to do the same. If you're on cellular data, switching to WiFi will usually fix the problem.
If the other person can't hear the Peacock audio, check that your device volume is turned up and that you haven't muted the call. The audio should come through FaceTime automatically once screen sharing is active.
Alternatives if screen sharing doesn't work
If you're having trouble with FaceTime screen sharing, you can use other video-calling apps that also have screen-sharing features, such as Google Meet or Zoom. Both work on phones, tablets, and computers. The steps are similar: start a call, find the screen-sharing option, and select your device.
Another option is to watch Peacock on a TV and have the other person watch on their own device while you're on a regular phone or video call together. This isn't true screen sharing, but it lets you watch the same show at the same time and talk about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the other person need a Peacock account to watch through screen share?
No. They're watching your screen, not accessing Peacock directly. As long as you're logged into Peacock on your device and have an active account, they can see whatever you're watching through the screen share.
Can I screen share Peacock on FaceTime if I'm using Android?
FaceTime is only available on Apple devices. If you're on Android, you can use Google Meet or Zoom, which both have screen-sharing features that work similarly to FaceTime.
Will screen sharing drain my battery faster?
Yes. Running FaceTime, screen sharing, and streaming video all at the same time uses more power than normal use. Keep your device plugged in or have a charger nearby if you plan to watch for more than an hour.
What if the Peacock video keeps buffering during screen share?
Buffering usually means your internet connection is too slow to handle both the FaceTime call and the video stream at the same time. Switch to WiFi if you're on cellular, or move closer to your router. You can also ask the other person to lower their video quality on FaceTime to free up bandwidth.
Can I screen share Peacock without being on a FaceTime call?
No. Screen sharing in FaceTime only works during an active call. If you want to share your screen without a video call, you'll need to use a different app like Google Meet or Zoom.