Operator screen sharing with visitors
Share the operator's screen with a visitor on its own or during an existing browser call.
What it is
Screen Share lets an operator show their screen to a website visitor. You can share without an existing video call or add sharing while a call is running. The visitor accepts the invitation before the operator chooses what to share.
Who uses it and why
- Operators show a page or demonstrate a task on their own screen.
- Visitors accept the invitation and watch the shared display.
- Developers work with Powerfront when a website needs an additional sharing or basket-transfer integration.
Where to find it
Select a website visitor and use the screen-sharing icon in the conversation controls. A screen-sharing control can also be available inside the browser call window.
Administrators with the Settings role manage operator access at Settings › Account › Operators. Powerfront manages the underlying browser media setup at Settings › General Settings › Video Chat.
How it works
- The operator sends a screen-sharing invitation to a supported website visitor.
- The visitor accepts or declines. The operator can cancel the invitation before sharing starts.
- After acceptance, the operator selects Continue and uses the browser's display picker to choose what to share.
- The visitor sees the shared display. The operator sees the status Customer is viewing your screen.
- Stop sharing from the sharing controls or the browser's sharing indicator when finished.
A share added to an existing call has its own start and end history. Ending that share returns to the main call. Ending the main call also finishes its sharing session. Ending a standalone sharing session closes that session.
Configure it
Ask an administrator with the Settings role to check Desktop Screen Share access on your operator account. Ask Powerfront to enable and configure browser media for the website.
The operator's browser still requests permission to capture a display. Website configuration cannot make that browser choice on the operator's behalf. For an external sharing or assisted basket setup, ask Powerfront to confirm the supported integration for your website.
Permissions
| Permission | Lets you |
|---|---|
| Desktop Screen Share | Access desktop screen-sharing functionality in the operator console. |
Limits and good to know
- The verified desktop flow shares the operator's screen. It does not grant control of the visitor's desktop.
- Visitor acceptance and browser display permission are separate steps.
- Browser display-capture support is required. Audio or video calling support alone does not guarantee that screen capture works.
- A share within a call can finish without ending the call.
- Basket transfer is an additional configured feature, not an automatic result of sharing.
Depends on and works with
View all connections as a list
This feature uses
- Roles and permissionsConfigured by
Operator roles include Desktop Screen Share access.
- Assisted basket transfer to the storefrontEnhances
Configured assisted basket transfer can accompany a sharing session.
- Browser video and audio callsRequires
Screen sharing uses the website's enabled browser media service and provider setup.
Used by
- Mobile consoleEnhances
Mobile sharing controls depend on conversation capabilities and permissions.
- Joining calls and approving Co-BrowseEnhances
Screen sharing has its own call and sharing controls.
- Assisted basket transfer to the storefrontRequires
Basket transfer uses the screen-sharing session and its storefront integration.
FAQ and troubleshooting
The visitor accepted. Why is my screen not visible yet?
Select Continue, then choose a display in the browser picker. Sharing cannot start until the browser supplies that display.
Why does the browser say it could not share the screen?
The display request may have been cancelled, refused or unsupported. Check browser display-capture permission and retry the sharing action.
Will stopping sharing end my video call?
Stopping a share within a call leaves the main call running. Ending the main call ends the share too.
Can I use this to control the visitor's page?
This flow shows your screen to the visitor. Use the separate co-browse feature when you need its page-assistance and control options.