The short answer
Open ZeroCast on a desktop computer, start a room, choose the screen or window you want to share, then send the viewing link. The viewer can watch from a computer, phone, tablet, or a smart TV with a modern browser.
How browser screen sharing works
Three steps to start, then stop when finished
Create a room → approve the screen or window in the browser picker → send the viewing link. No viewer download or sign-up. The final step below explains how to end the session safely; media is encrypted end to end.
Create a room
Open ZeroCast in a supported desktop browser and choose Start casting.
Choose what to share
Your browser shows its own secure picker for an entire screen, application window, or browser tab.
Send the private link
Copy the viewing URL or let the viewer scan its QR code. Optional room passwords are available on paid plans.
Stop whenever you want
Use the browser sharing control or ZeroCast's Stop button. The room link stops working when the session ends.
Sender and viewer compatibility
Chrome and Edge provide the most complete desktop capture experience. Safari and Firefox support browser screen sharing with platform-dependent options. Mobile browsers can watch, but iOS and Android browsers generally cannot capture the entire device screen because their operating systems do not expose desktop-style screen capture to web pages.
| Device / browser | Sending a screen | Watching a link |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Chrome / Edge | Screen capture with browser and OS approval; audio options vary. | Supported with compatible WebRTC playback. |
| Desktop Firefox / Safari | Capture choices depend on the browser and OS. | Supported with compatible WebRTC playback. |
| iPhone / Android / tablet | Full-device screen sending is not supported in this workflow. | Can open a link or scan a QR code; may need to press Play. |
| TV browser | Use a desktop computer as the sender. | Needs compatible WebRTC and video decoding; test the actual TV. A phone QR scan only opens the phone viewer. |
What happens to the video?
Media is encrypted end to end. ZeroCast first tries a direct WebRTC connection between sender and viewer. On restricted corporate, carrier, or firewall networks, a TURN relay may forward the encrypted packets. The relay cannot decrypt the screen content, and ZeroCast does not store the video.
When a link is better than a meeting
- ✓ A quick product demo without asking a prospect to install meeting software
- ✓ Remote assistance where the other person only needs to open a link
- ✓ Sharing a dashboard, prototype, or document during an existing phone call
- ✓ Showing a desktop screen to viewers on phones or tablets
Browser screen-sharing FAQ
Does the viewer need to sign up?
No. Viewers open the room link in a modern browser without creating an account.
Can a phone share its entire screen from the browser?
Usually not. Mobile operating systems restrict full-screen capture from web pages. Use a desktop browser to send; phones and tablets can watch.
Can it work behind a company firewall?
Often, yes. ZeroCast attempts a direct WebRTC connection first and can fall back to an encrypted TURN relay on restricted networks.
Is the shared screen recorded?
ZeroCast does not record or store the stream. Premium users can choose local recording, which is saved on their own device.
Which browsers support screen sharing?
Start with desktop Chrome or Edge. Firefox and Safari also offer screen capture, with platform-dependent options. The viewer needs compatible WebRTC video playback; screen-recording permission may also be required by the sender's operating system.
Why does the viewing link show no video?
Keep the sending page open and confirm capture is still active. Ask the viewer to press Play if prompted, then check network restrictions and browser compatibility. A relay can help a blocked direct connection but cannot bypass every company policy.
Does encryption prevent the viewer from saving the screen?
No. End-to-end encryption protects media in transit, but a viewer can still take screenshots or record what they see. Share only necessary content and stop before entering sensitive information.