At a glance
| GuidedView | iPhone screen sharing on Phone calls | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Seeing a customer's phone or computer screen during a normal phone call | Two iPhone users on a one-to-one Phone app call who want to see or control each other's screen |
| What the customer installs | Free GuidedView app on iPhone, iPad or Android; nothing on a computer | Nothing; built into the Phone app on iOS 26 or later |
| iPhone screen | View, with the free app | Yes, iPhone to iPhone, both on iOS 26 or later |
| Android screen | View, with the free app | No; Apple documents the feature for iPhone only |
| Computer screen | View, in the browser, no download | No; Apple documents the feature for iPhone only |
| Remote control | No, view-only by design | Yes, on request; the controller must be in the sharer's contacts and on iOS 26 or later; not available in the EU |
| Session recording | No, live only | No built-in recording of the shared screen documented |
| Works alongside a normal phone call | Yes, built for it | Yes, but only on a one-to-one Phone app call between two iPhones on iOS 26 or later; not from desk phones, softphones or call-center systems |
| Customer account needed | No | Not stated by Apple |
| Starting price (as of November 2026) | $29.99/month | Free, built into iOS 26 and later |
What is iPhone screen sharing on Phone calls?
iPhone screen sharing on Phone calls is a feature Apple added to the regular Phone app in iOS 26. During a call with just one other person, either iPhone user can tap the More button, choose Screen Sharing and then Share My Screen, or choose Ask to Share Screen to see the other person's screen. After a countdown from 3 to 1, the other person sees the screen live. The viewer can also request remote control, and the sharer taps Allow to grant it. Both people need iPhones on iOS 26 or later, and remote control also requires the controller to be saved in the sharer's contacts. Apple says remote control is not currently available in the European Union. The feature is free, needs no app, link or meeting, and is the closest built-in option to sharing a screen while staying on a normal phone call. Its limit is reach: it only works between two iPhones.
What are the limits for businesses?
- iPhone to iPhone only. Both people need iPhones on iOS 26 or later. Android customers cannot use it, and Apple documents no computer support.
- The agent has to call from an iPhone. The feature runs on a Phone app call, so it does not work if the agent calls from a desk phone, a softphone, a call-center platform or an Android phone. Calling from an iPhone typically exposes that phone's number.
- Remote control needs a saved contact. The controller must be saved in the customer's contacts, and remote control is not available in the EU.
- No business tools. There is no admin console, audit trail, session record or team management.
- Remote control grants broad access. A controller can open apps, change settings, delete items and send messages. Apple may restrict Apple Account and Face ID changes, payments and erasing the device, and turns off Face ID and Touch ID during control.
Apple's page says the feature works during a call with one other person in the Phone app. It does not say whether that includes every ordinary cellular call, Wi-Fi Calling, or calls to and from business numbers, or whether either person must be signed in to an Apple Account or have FaceTime or iMessage turned on. Apple documents that notifications are hidden from the viewer for FaceTime screen sharing, but not for Phone app calls. Test these points on your own devices first.
Which is easier for a customer on the phone?
When both people have iPhones on iOS 26 or later, Apple's feature is the easiest option there is: nothing to install, no link, and the call does not change. The customer taps More, Screen Sharing and Share My Screen. GuidedView adds a step. The agent texts or emails a link during the call, and on iPhone the link opens the free GuidedView app (or sends the customer to the App Store first). The customer confirms they are on a call with the sender, taps Share and approves Apple's screen broadcast prompt.
GuidedView earns that extra step when the call is not iPhone to iPhone. Because GuidedView runs separately from the call, the agent can talk on any phone line, including a desk phone or call-center system, and watch in a browser on a computer or phone. The customer can be on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or computer, can pause before private steps, and is the only one who can resume. Each invitation works once, and unused invitations expire after 30 minutes. See how to see a customer's screen during a phone call.
Which should you choose?
Choose iPhone screen sharing on Phone calls if
- You and the person you are helping both use iPhones on iOS 26 or later
- You call each other from your iPhones' Phone app
- You want remote control, and you are saved in the other person's contacts
- You want a free option with nothing to install
Choose GuidedView if
- Your customers use Android phones or computers as well as iPhones
- Your agents call from desk phones, softphones or call-center systems
- Agents should not call customers from a personal iPhone number
- Customers need to pause for passwords, codes or payment details
- You want view-only sessions and one-time invitations
For family help between iPhones, Apple's built-in feature is free and convenient, and we suggest trying it first. For a business that needs to see any customer's screen on any phone line, GuidedView is built for that job. Also compare GuidedView vs FaceTime, or create an account.
Questions
Can you share your screen on a regular iPhone phone call?
Yes, since iOS 26. During a one-to-one call in the Phone app, tap More, then Screen Sharing, then Share My Screen. Both people need iPhones on iOS 26 or later. To stop, tap More, then Stop next to Screen Sharing, or end the call.
Can you remotely control someone's iPhone during a phone call?
Yes, with iOS 26 or later on both iPhones. The viewer requests control and the sharer taps Allow. The controller must be saved in the sharer's contacts, and Apple says the feature is not currently available in the European Union.
Does iPhone call screen sharing work with Android?
No. Apple documents the Phone app feature for iPhone only, and both participants need iOS 26 or later. To see an Android customer's screen during a call, use a cross-platform tool such as GuidedView, which has a free Android app for the customer.
Does it work if I call from a business phone system?
Apple documents the feature for one-to-one Phone app calls between two iPhones, so it does not work if the agent calls from a desk phone, softphone or call-center platform. Apple's page does not say how it behaves with business numbers or Wi-Fi Calling, so test your own setup.
Is iPhone Phone app screen sharing recorded?
Apple's Phone app screen sharing pages do not mention any recording of the shared screen. GuidedView also does not record or store screen video; sessions are live only. Either way, the viewer sees the screen live while it is shared, so close anything private before you start.
Sources
Third-party details were checked against these pages as of November 2, 2026. Products change, so confirm current pricing and features with each vendor.