How to Screen Share OBS & Mix? For Livestream/Record/Etc

If you’re looking for guides to share screen with OBS, whether you're live streaming, recording, meeting, or something else, this is for you.

Though OBS does not have a native, one-click "screen share" button like Zoom and Discord, you can use it to capture and broadcast the screen content you set, for example, during a live stream, presentation, or virtual meeting.

That is to say, OBS screen sharing is done by adding capture sources, which can then be customized.

Explore how to screen share in OBS now.

Before Started: Review Required Features for OBS Screen Share

There are two main functional menus involve - the Scenes and the Sources.

• Scene: able to create multiple scenes and set them independently, such as with different captures and effects. You can switch between scenes during a stream or recording. However, only the currently active scene will be visible.
• Sources: with various capture options that can be added to a scene. Detailed source adjustments are possible.

Learn Routine Steps:

a. Add Scene: click + > give a name for this creating scene > OK.

b. Add Source: click + > choose a capture option > name it > OK > finalize the settings in the pop-up window > OK.

You can add one or more scenes and sources as needed for your scenario. While the type of capture may differ, the process is the same.

For example, for tutorial or software demonstration, you can add Display Capture, Window Capture, and Video Capture Device (for Webcam) and put the sources together.

How to Set Up and Share Screen in OBS? Based on Screen Captures

1Share Entire Display

Want to share the whole monitor screen including multiple applications or full presentations, you should choose Display Capture.

Step 1. Click + > select Display Capture.

Step 2. Name it and click OK.

Step 3. When the Properties window appears, drop down the menu of Capture Method. Select Automatic.

Step 4. In Display, select the desktop monitor you’re using.

Step 5. Click OK.

Now you can see the desktop screen showing in the preview window. When you screen share OBS, this is the viewer's perspective.

2Share Specific Application Window

Use Window Capture to share a specific application or window. It’s perfect for concentrating on one program, and only the selected program is visible while other desktop elements remain hidden.

Step 1. Name the window capture and then click OK.

Step 2. Select the window or application in Window.

Step 3. Click OK.

3Share Specific Web Page

Browser Source is useful for live displaying online content.

Step 1. Choose Browser.

Step 2. Enter a URL.

Step 3. Adjust Width and Height (default is 800x600).

Step 4. (Optional) Custom CSS allows you to control the appearance of web-based content.

Step 5. Set Page Permissions if you want third-party widgets function properly.

4 Share Remote Computer Screen

If you want to stream or record a friend’s computer screen, like, during a game, OBS make it possible. And you need a tool with screen share feature to help.

Options are various. For example, use Discord or VDO.Ninja.

Step 1. First, initiate screen sharing to view your friend's computer.

● Ask your friend to open VDO.Ninja in his/her Chrome browser.
● Click Remote Screenshare to OBS.
● Select Screen to Share.
● Copy the generated link.
● Ask your friend to share the link.

Step 2. Your turn. Add Browser in OBS’s Sources.

Step 3. Paste the shared URL.

Step 4. Click OK.

Now, you can see your friend’s screen in OBS.

5Share Webcam

In some cases, you may want to show your face during a live feed by implementing a Picture-in-Picture effect. In OBS, you can add a webcam to capture yourself and share it along with your content. The required capture source is a Video Capture Device.

Step 1. After choosing Video Capture Device, choose your camera or webcam software in Device.

● For physical external webcams: it will auto show up as you connect it to the computer.
● For webcam software: if you're using your phone as a webcam, first open its dedicated software and complete the necessary settings. Then, in OBS, select the software name to display your phone's camera feed.

Step 2. Click OK.

You can see yourself displaying in OBS immediately.

How to Show Multiple Sources on One Screen in OBS and Share it?

Case 1: Meeting or Virtual Presentation Setup

1) Add Video Capture Device in Sources to show the presenter's face.

2) Add Display Capture or Window Capture to share the entire screen or a specific application window (e.g., PowerPoint, browser, or software demo).

3) Click Start Virtual Camera to output the OBS content.

4) On your meeting app (e.g. Zoom or others), go to Settings > Video > Choose "OBS Virtual Camera" as your camera source.

5) Click share screen in the meeting app.

Case 2: Gaming Stream Setup

1) Add Game Capture to share the gameplay window.

2) Add Video Capture Device for webcam effect.

3) (Optional) Add Browser if you want to capture a remote screen.

Or, add Window Capture if using a screen mirroring software for phone screen capture.

4) Click Start Streaming.

Tips to Share Screen in OBS

For higher video quality, you can manually resize each sources. In addition, you can optimize the output settings.

a. Go to Settings > Output > Output Mode > Advanced.

b. Set Recording Quality to Indistinguishable Quality or higher.

For sharing different screens in a presentation, you can make good use of the Scene feature. Create different scenes and allocate one capture source for each. When you start streaming or recording, click on the scene that you want people see. OBS will display the selected one and transform seamlessly.

Share Mixed OBS Screen to Various Platforms & What Needed

Once you've combined different captures in OBS, making them a single unified screen, you can share it to other platforms. Here’re some popular.

1Share OBS Screen to Gaming & Live Streaming Platforms

Examples: Twitch, YouTube Live, Kick, Facebook Live,Instagram Live, TikTok Live, Trovo, etc.

You need to bind your platform account with OBS in OBS Settings > Stream.

Once connected, just click Start Streaming and the OBS screen will go live.

2Share OBS to Business, Education & Event Apps

Examples: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.

If you’re already in a meeting, just click Video and choose OBS Virtual Camera.