GuidedView vs FaceTime: Screen Sharing With Customers

At a glance

	GuidedView	FaceTime
Best for	Seeing a customer's phone or computer screen during a normal phone call	Free help between people who all use iPhone, iPad or Mac, such as family and friends
What the customer installs	Free GuidedView app on iPhone, iPad or Android; nothing on a computer	Nothing on iPhone, iPad or Mac (FaceTime is built in)
iPhone screen	View, with the free app	Yes, built in (iOS 15.1 or later)
Android screen	View, with the free app	No. Android users can join a FaceTime link in a browser, but screen sharing is not available on the web
Computer screen	View, in the browser, no download	Mac only (macOS 12.1 or later); Windows users joining by link cannot share
Remote control	No, view-only by design	Yes, of a shared iPhone from another iPhone or iPad on iOS 18 or later, in one-to-one calls, if the controller is in the sharer's contacts; not available in the EU
Session recording	No, live only	No built-in recording of a shared screen documented
Works alongside a normal phone call	Yes, built for it	No. Sharing runs inside a FaceTime call, and ending that call ends sharing
Customer account needed	No	FaceTime must be turned on and reachable at a phone number or email address
Starting price (as of November 2026)	$29.99/month	Free (data rates may apply)

What is FaceTime?

FaceTime is Apple's built-in video and audio calling app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Since iOS 15.1, FaceTime includes screen sharing through SharePlay: during a call, either person can share their screen or ask to see the other person's. Since iOS 18, the viewer in a one-to-one call can also request remote control of a shared iPhone, and the sharer decides whether to allow it. FaceTime is free, needs no download on Apple devices, and is familiar to iPhone users. Apple has built thoughtful privacy into FaceTime screen sharing: the viewer cannot see your notifications, cannot see the keypad when you enter your passcode, and sees passwords as dots. FaceTime is a consumer feature, so it has no business plan, admin console or team management. It works best when both people use Apple devices and are comfortable calling each other on FaceTime, which describes a great deal of family tech help.

When is FaceTime the better choice?

If you are helping a parent, grandparent or friend who uses an iPhone, and you have an iPhone or iPad too, start with FaceTime. It costs nothing, there is nothing to install, and the privacy protections are strong. The viewer can tap, draw or write on the shared screen to highlight an area, which helps when you are explaining where to tap.

With remote control on iOS 18 or later, you can even work through settings for them, while Apple keeps limits in place: the controller may be restricted from changing Apple Account or Face ID settings, making payments or erasing the device, Face ID and Touch ID are turned off during the session, and the owner's own touches take priority. For more on family help, see our guide to helping elderly parents with technology remotely.

Why is FaceTime harder to use for customer support?

It moves the customer off your phone call. FaceTime screen sharing runs inside a FaceTime call, so a customer who called your business line has to start a separate FaceTime call with you.
It can expose personal contact details. FaceTime calls go to a phone number or email address, so the agent uses an Apple device and an Apple phone number or email, which can mean sharing a personal number or address with customers.
Remote control needs a saved contact. The controller must be saved in the customer's contacts before control can be requested.
There are no business tools. FaceTime has no admin console, session log or team management.
Remote control is broad. Even with Apple's limits, a controller can open apps, change settings, delete items and send messages, which is more access than most customer support needs.

How do the privacy protections compare?

Both are built around consent, in different ways. FaceTime automatically hides notifications, the passcode keypad, and subscription or purchased content from the viewer, and passwords appear as dots. Apple does not document a pause; the sharer can stop sharing or stop remote control at any time, and declining a control request keeps screen sharing on without notifying the other person.

GuidedView relies on the customer's own controls. The customer confirms who sent the invitation before anything is shared, can tap Pause before passwords, verification codes or payment details (the agent sees nothing while paused, and only the customer can resume), and can stop at any time. GuidedView is view-only, each invitation works once, and sessions are not recorded. The security page covers each control.

Which should you choose?

Choose FaceTime if

You are helping family or friends who use iPhone, iPad or Mac
You want something free with nothing to install
You want to take remote control of an iPhone, within Apple's built-in limits
You like that notifications and passcode entry are hidden from the viewer automatically

Choose GuidedView if

Your customers use Android phones or Windows computers as well as iPhones
Customers call your business line and you want to stay on that call
Agents should not share a personal Apple phone number or email
Customers should be able to pause for private steps without ending the share
You want view-only access rather than remote control

For Apple-to-Apple family help, FaceTime is free and excellent, and we recommend it. For a business taking calls from any customer, GuidedView works with iPhone, Android and computer customers on the call you are already on. Also see GuidedView vs iPhone screen sharing on phone calls.

Questions

Can you share your screen on FaceTime with an Android user?

No. Android users can join FaceTime from a link in Chrome or Edge, but Apple says SharePlay and screen sharing are not available in FaceTime on the web. To see an Android phone's screen, you need a cross-platform tool such as GuidedView, which has a free Android app for the customer.

Can you control someone's iPhone over FaceTime?

Yes, since iOS 18, during a one-to-one FaceTime video or audio call. Both people need iOS 18 or later, the controller needs an iPhone or iPad and must be saved in the sharer's contacts, and the sharer must tap Allow. Apple says it is not currently available in the European Union.

Does FaceTime show my notifications when I share my screen?

Apple's Personal Safety guide says the person viewing a FaceTime screen share cannot see your notifications, cannot see the keypad when you enter your passcode, and cannot see subscription or purchased content. Passwords appear as dots.

Should a business use FaceTime for customer support?

It can work for a small team whose customers all use Apple devices. Agents need Apple devices and an Apple phone number or email, which can expose personal contact details. FaceTime has no admin console or session log, and Android and Windows customers cannot share their screens.

Is FaceTime screen sharing free?

Yes. FaceTime is built into iPhone, iPad and Mac at no cost, though Apple notes data rates may apply and FaceTime may not be available in every country or region. GuidedView is $29.99 a month per account, and customers join free.

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.