All You Need to Know about WebRTC Screen Sharing

Q: What is the Purpose of WebRTC?

WebRTC is a technology developed to immediately share screens between two browsers to communicate data in HD quality, including video files, without using external servers or other add-ons. It allows you to share your screen in 4K/1080/720 format, and you may share a URL link with the individuals you wish to share your screen with using the WebRTC extension. WebRTC also supports chat messages. You may share the screen with any browser that supports it.

This article will go over the methodologies and applications of WebRTC for screen sharing across devices. It is a safe and straightforward way to share your screen.

Part 1. WebRTC Desktop Sharing Extension

1What Can It Do?

WebRTC provides you with a lot of possibilities for screen sharing as per the requirements. You have multiple options available after downloading the extension and can choose any of the options you find suitable for your work. Here are all the options:

Screen sharing without Audio
Sharing the Screen and Microphone
Sharing the Screen and Speakers
Sharing the Screen, Microphone and Speakers
Share the Screen, Microphone, Speakers and Camera
Sharing Chrome tab and Speakers
Share the Screen and Camera
Share Camera Only

You can click on any tab to choose what you want.

2How Can I Enable WebRTC in My Web Browser?

It is easy and simple to enable WebRTC desktop sharing in any browser using the extension. You have to install the extension on your browser, pin it on the menu bar and utilize it as you want.

Here are the steps for the chrome browser:

Step 1.Open the Web Link
Open the web page and click Add to Chrome to install the extension. A pop-up will appear and then click on Add Extension. After a few seconds, it will install on your Google Chrome browser.

Step 2.Select the Options
Pin the extension on the menu bar and click on it. A few options will appear; select the sharing you want. Then you will get a URL to share with others so they can add to the Room.

Step 3.Microphone and Camera
If you choose microphone and camera, a new Window will appear asking for permission to access your device's camera and microphone. Close that page and again select the options to proceed.

Step 4.Select the type of screen sharing
You can select the entire screen, a specific Windows, or a Chrome tab. Selecting the entire screen will let other people in the Room watch everything you do on your desktop. Just click on any option you want and click on the Share button.

Step 5.URL Displayed
A new tab will open instantly, showing you the URL of the screen. You can share the URL with anyone you want. Type that URL on any supporting browser of another device, and you can watch that screen on it.
You can also click on the ‘Options’ tab to select a specific resolution and bandwidth. You can also set a password for your screen sharing here.

3Advantages & Disadvantages of WebRTC Desktop Sharing Extension

Advantages:

It is compatible with almost all famous browsers. The extension is easy to install and set up and completely free.

Disadvantages:

WebRTC is still in the process of completion. Although it's working, the developers are trying to add more things. Uncertainty in the codecs is also a severe issue for many third-party users.

3How to Disable WebRTC in Chrome/Firefox/Edge?

You can stop the screen sharing from the extension icon on the toolbar. Click the WebRTC icon and click on Stop Sharing to stop screen sharing.

If you want to disable the WebRTC screen sharing with audio services from your browser, open the Settings tab and click on More Tools. Then select the Extensions tab and disable it by sliding the slider shown with the WebRTC extension.

You can also click on the Remove tab to permanently delete the extension from your device.

Part 2. Can I Use WebRTC Screen Sharing without Extension?

Yes, you can also use WebRTC even without its extension with the help of WebRTC Screen sharing application built in Javascript code. It enables plug-in free screen sharing. ‘getDisplayMedia’ is an API that allows you to get the video stream of a device and is supported by Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Safari browsers in Windows, Mac and Linux OS. Its working is similar to the WebRTC extension but is technical, and a person who understands the Javascript code can proceed with it.

Part 3. How to Use WebRTC to Remote Control another Computer?

GO-based WebRTC Remote Desktop allows you to control the computers remotely. Pion WebRTC and RobotGo are used at the backend. The process is difficult to understand as it requires technical skills and knowledge for WebRTC screen sharing remote control.

You can change the port by using Flags, while by default, the port used is 9000. Post / Session starts a session, while GET / Screens is used to get the screens from a remote server. Then an SDP offer is created in the browser. The backend checks the offer, and if everything goes fine, the server responds with an answer. The video will receive on the browser to display.

Part 4. Extra Tips: How to Share Desktop Screen Remotely within 5 Minutes?

AirDroid Cast is best for sharing desktop screens remotely on other devices. With the help of AirDroid Cast, you can also share desktop screen to your another PC with Windows or Mac. Here are the steps to share screen remotely within 5 minutes:

Step 1.Download the App
Download the AirDroid Cast app on both computers. You can also open webcast.airdroid.com on receiving computer for screen sharing without installing any software.

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Step 2. Connect both devices
To get the desktop screen remotely, you need to select a different network to on the your computer And then, open AirDroid Cast app.
On the receiving device, you will see a QR code and a 9-digit Cast Code beneath the QR code.

On the sending computer, you have to click on the 'Cast to' button and enter the Cast Code from the receiving device.

Also, you need to allow permission from the receiving device to the Desktop. Click on ‘Allow’ to start casting.

Step 3.Start Mirroring
After allowing access from both devices, you will watch your desktop screen on the receiver device with an HD-quality display.

Part 5. Easily Share Mobile Phone Screen Remotely

Share Android/iPhone Screen to PC/Mac by Using AirDroid Cast.

Here is an important tip:

You can easily share your mobile screen on a PC or Mac for a larger display. The widely used App for this purpose is the AirDroid Cast. It is a powerful and fully secure App providing a screen-sharing feature within a few minutes, and the audio and video output result is outstanding.

An interesting fact about this App is that it can share five screens simultaneously and supports two-way audio sharing, which is why it is also best for online meetings.

Learn More: Control Android Screen Remotely with AirDroid Cast

AirDroid Cast is not limited to screen sharing; it lets you remotely control your mobile screens on a PC. WebRTC also helps screen control, but it is quite complicated as it demands expert knowledge of Javascript and other programming languages. Use this simplest and easiest way to control your Android screen on a PC. You need to install an additional App on your Android phone, and you can control it from a PC.

Part 6. The Bottom Line

This article covered screen sharing and remote screen control utilizing various tools and applications. We began by discussing WebRTC as a screen-sharing application. For your convenience, you should use its extensions rather than the Javascript program, which requires writing. Then we went through how to activate and stop screen sharing using the WebRTC add-on on the Chrome browser in great detail.

Following that, we reviewed another App that, with its simple and quick interface, handles both screen sharing and controlling functions. It supports screen sharing as well as a local and remote control. You can also use AirDroid Cast with a USB connection to share the screen between devices.

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Part 7. Know More about WebRTC Screen Sharing

Can Someone Get My Room Number?

Elsa

Using the WebRTC extension, you create a room for sharing screens. No one can get into the room unless you share the URL code. It is a long code that no one can guess. So, only those with whom you share the URL can enter the room and watch your shared screen.

How Secure is This Tool?

Elsa

This tool is secure, as no one can access your screen until they have the URL. Moreover, you can also set a strong password for more security concerns. It has SRTP encryption and also fulfills all other security standards.

How Do I Stop a Screen Share in WebRTC?

Elsa

On the browser where the URL is displayed, there is an option to stop sharing. Click on it to stop sharing. You can also click on the extension of WebRTC, and there is also an option to stop sharing the screen.

Is WebRTC API Free?

Elsa

Yes, WebRTC is a free API. It is completely free for both commercial and private use. You can use it anywhere and anytime without paying any cost.