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How to Share Screen on Chromebook

by Ravi Teja KNTS

The pandemic has forced most of us to work from home. This change in the work environment required Chromebook users to be creative and find new ways to communicate. One way to do that is by sharing the screen on Chromebook so the other person sees what you see. But how do we do it on Chromebook and for free? Well, turns out there are a few ways to screen share on Chromebook and we are going to list all of them below.

How to Share Screen on Chromebook

Chromebook also has an official or built-in way that works great for sharing screen with other Chromebooks and even Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.

1. Using Chrome Remote Desktop for PC, Mac, and Linux

By using the Chrome Remote Desktop app, you can share Chromebook screen with other devices and also access their screen on your Chromebook. The process is the same on all the platforms as you can set up everything directly from a website.

1. Just open remotedesktop.google/support on both the devices. Click on the +Generate Code button on the device that you want to share the screen of.

Generating Code on Chrome Remote Desktop

2. This will generate a 12-digit code which will expire in 5 minutes.

Code generated on Chrome Remote Desktop

3. On the second device, enter that 12-digit code under Connect to another computer option and click on Connect.

Connecting to another computer on Chrome Remote Desktop

4. Come back to the first device that you want to share the screen of and click on Share in the pop-up window to grant permissions.

Alowing permission to share screen on Windows

5. That’s it. You should be able to see the screen of the other device remotely.

Windows on Chrome OS through Chrome Remote Desktop

With this method, you don’t have to be on the same Wi-Fi network and can control the other device directly from this device. You can not only see but also hear the sounds other device is making. Click on the arrow on the right to get additional options like scaling, clipboard sync, etc.

2. Using Chrome Remote Desktop for Remote Access

With the previous method, you need to have access to both the devices in order to complete the set-up process. There is another way to share screen on Chromebook remotely where you need to set up only once and will be able to access the device every time from anywhere. Note that one can only use this method to share Windows, Mac, or Linux screens on Chromebook, but not the other way around.

1. To start sharing the screen, just head over to the Chrome web store and install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension on your Chromebook and also on the device that you want to share your screen.

Installing Chrome Remote Desktop extension

2. Now open remotedesktop.google.com/access on the device that you want to share the screen of. Click on Turn On button under Set up remote access.

Turning on Remote Access on Chrome Remote Desktop

3. Give a name to your computer and click on Next.

Giving a name to device on Chrome Remote Desktop

4. Now set up a 6 digit pin and click on Start.

Setting a PIN for remote access on Chrome Remote Desktop

5. Click on Yes on the pop-up for confirmation and you are all set. This device is available for you to access remotely.

Device ready for Remote Access

6. Now open your Chromebook and go to remotedesktop.google.com/access. Here, you can find the device that has just been set up for accessing remotely on Chromebook. Click on it.

Remote Accessing through Chrome Remote Desktop

7. Enter the pin that you have set to start screen sharing on Chromebook.

Entering the PIN to remote access

8. That’s it. You can control Windows or Mac devices directly from Chromebook. Click on the full-screen button on Chrome OS to see things more clearly.

Remotely accessing Windows on Chromebook

Remember that your Windows, Mac, or Linux device has to be turned on to access Chromebook’s screen. The display can be switched off, however.

3. Screen Mirror by Smart Dato for Android

Most screen mirroring services like Team Viewer require installing software that isn’t possible on Chrome OS. Screen Mirror is one of the apps that use the web app to share the screen. You can only share your Android screen with Chromebook but not the other way around. Though few popular services like Airdrop provide the same functionality. Screen Mirror by Smart Dato offers a simple experience when it comes to mirroring screens to Chromebook.

1. First download the Screen Mirror by Smart Dato app on your Android phone.

Installing Screen Mirror App

2. Open the app and tap on the Cast button at the bottom right corner.

Casting from screen mirror app

3. This will open a QR Code reader. Now, open the screenmirrorapp.com on your Chromebook and scan the QR code it displays with your mobile. Make sure you are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Scanning QR Code in Screen Mirror App

4. Select the Start Now option in the pop-up on your phone.

Start recording or casting with screen mirror

5. That’s it, you can view your phone screen on the Chromebook.

Accessing Android phone screen on Chromebook

Unlike Chrome Remote Desktop, Screen Mirror is quite limited in functionality as you cannot control your phone from the Chromebook. It is just a screen mirror service but no way to access or control it.

4. Wired Connection to Connect With Monitor or TV

Chromebooks support HDMI, Display Port, DVI, and VGA to connect to the monitor or TV. If your Chromebook has an HDMI port, you can use the HDMI to HDMI cable to connect to an external monitor. But most Chromebooks don’t come with an HDMI port, they just come with USB-C and USB-A ports.

So you can get a USB out to HDMI out cable to connect Chromebook to monitor. If you already have a standard HDMI to HDMI with you, get a small USB-out to HDMI-in adaptor. If your monitor does not support HDMI, you can find VGA, DVI, Display port options too.

1. Once done connecting to the monitor or tv, you need to enable mirroring from Chromebook settings. To do that, click on the clock at the bottom right corner and then select settings.

Opening Chromebook settings

2. In the device section, select Displays and then enable Mirror built-in Display. This option will be only available when Chromebook is connected to an external monitor.

Changing display settings on Chromebook

3. This isn’t exactly mirroring the screen but using the monitor as a dual-screen. If you want to only view the monitor, then turn on brightness to zero on Chromebook to go completely dark.

Now you can use your Chromebook keyboard or connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to operate Chrome OS on the monitor or the TV.

5. Using Airscreen to Cast on TV

Other than the wired approach, you can use the in-built Cast option on Chrome to share the screen too. This process may not work on all smart TVs but if you are using Android, Google TV, or Fire TV, you can follow the steps below. I am using Fire TV but the steps are the same for Android and Google TV too.

1. First, install the AirScreen app on your TV from the Google Play Store or Amazon App Store.

Installing Airscreen on TV

2. Now open the app and in the Welcome screen, click on the Start Now button.

Getting Started With Air Screen App

3. Click on Start to turn the on screen mirroring on Chromebook.

Clicking on Start to start casting

4. Open Chrome Browser in your Chromebook > three-dot menu and select Cast.

5. Here, click on Sources and select Cast tab to cast that Chrome tab, Cast desktop to cast the entire desktop screen, or you can select Cast file to select and share any file in your Files app.

6. That’s it, your TV should start screen mirroring your Chromebook.

Wrap Up: Share Screen on Chromebook

If you want to share the screen with other desktop operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, or even other Chromebooks, Chrome Remote Desktop works great. You can control the Chromebook directly from other devices and also can connect remotely. Screen Mirror is a really good option to share a screen with an Android phone. You already have an in-built Chromecast option to share with your TV. Finally, wired connections will always be there for you to fall back on and use Chrome OS on your monitor or TV. 

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