Technician helping troubleshoot Motorola phone screen brightness not working

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: iPhone screen sharing not working (FaceTime Share Screen / SharePlay), AirPlay screen mirroring to TV, Zoom/Teams screen share basics.

iPhone screen sharing not working? Common reasons + what to check first (FaceTime, SharePlay, AirPlay mirroring, Wi-Fi, permissions)

Technician avatar Technician
Hi — I can help. When iPhone screen sharing won’t work, it usually feels urgent (especially if you’re trying to show something to family, a doctor, or tech support).

We’ll do this calmly and safely. I don’t want you tapping random buttons or changing a bunch of settings at once — that’s how people get stuck during a call.

First, a quick “which kind of screen sharing?” check (this matters):
A) Sharing your screen in a FaceTime call (Share My Screen).
B) AirPlay / Screen Mirroring to a TV or Apple TV (your iPhone shows on the TV).
C) Screen share inside an app like Zoom, Teams, Google Meet (Share Screen button missing or not working).

Which one are you trying to use — and what exactly happens (button missing, greyed out, can’t find the TV, black screen, or others can’t see it)?
Customer
I’m trying to share my screen with my daughter on FaceTime. I can’t find the screen share button. I feel silly, but I really need help.
Technician avatar Technician
You’re not silly at all — FaceTime buttons can hide, and they don’t always show the same way on every iPhone.

Two quick, safe questions so we don’t guess:
1) Are you on a regular FaceTime call (video or audio), not a phone call? (Some people accidentally call “Phone” instead of FaceTime.)
2) Is your iPhone updated recently, or did this start after an iOS update?

Trust moment: I’m not going to have you sign out, reset your phone, or erase anything. We’ll start with the simplest checks first.
Customer
It’s FaceTime video. We used to do it, I think. After an update it looks different. I’m worried I’ll press the wrong thing and end the call.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s very common after an update — controls can move, and some options only appear after you tap the screen once.

Here’s a safe way to “look” without changing anything important:
• During the FaceTime call, tap once on the video to show the call controls (they can fade away).
• Look for a More / options button. Screen sharing is often inside that menu.

If you don’t see it at all, the two most common reasons are:
• One device isn’t eligible yet (older iOS / older device), or
• A restriction is blocking sharing (often Screen Time settings).

Are you and your daughter both on iPhones, or is she on an iPad/Mac?
Customer
She’s on a MacBook. I’m on an iPhone 11. I tapped the screen and I see buttons, but I still don’t see “share screen.”
Technician avatar Technician
Thank you — that helps. When FaceTime screen sharing is missing, it’s usually one of these “non-scary” causes:
• The Mac or iPhone needs a software update to support screen sharing together.
• FaceTime is running, but something like a VPN or work profile blocks sharing.
• Screen Time restrictions are limiting communication features.

Safe check #1 (no deep settings): does your daughter see an option like “Ask to Share Screen” on her Mac, or is it missing there too?

Trust moment: I don’t want you digging through privacy menus while you’re on a live call. We can do the safe checks first, then decide if anything needs changing.
Customer
She says she can’t see it either. Also, sometimes we try to mirror my iPhone to the TV and that doesn’t work too. Could it be my Wi-Fi?
Technician avatar Technician
Yes — and that’s actually a helpful clue. If FaceTime screen sharing and AirPlay screen mirroring both act up, the network is a top suspect.

With AirPlay, the iPhone and TV/Apple TV usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. A common senior “gotcha” is the house router having two names (like “HomeWiFi” and “HomeWiFi-5G”), and the phone and TV end up on different ones.

Quick question: when AirPlay mirroring fails, do you see the TV name but it won’t connect, or do you not see the TV at all?
Customer
Sometimes I don’t see the TV at all. Other times it shows up but then nothing happens. It’s very frustrating.
Technician avatar Technician
I hear you — that “sometimes it appears, sometimes it doesn’t” is classic Wi-Fi/AirPlay behavior.

Safe check #2 (no risk): confirm your iPhone is on your home Wi-Fi (not cellular data). If your Wi-Fi name has two versions, we want the TV and iPhone on the same one.

Safe check #3 (low-risk): turn off any VPN app temporarily (some VPNs interfere with discovery for AirPlay and screen sharing).

Trust moment: I’m avoiding “big changes.” We’re only checking things that can be reversed quickly if needed.
Customer
I do have a VPN because my grandson said it’s safer. Could that really stop screen sharing?
Technician avatar Technician
It can, yes — especially for “finding devices” features like AirPlay or screen mirroring. A VPN changes how your iPhone connects, and discovery can fail.

You don’t have to remove it. A safe test is simply turning it off for a minute while you try screen sharing, then turning it back on afterward.

One more question: when you tried FaceTime screen sharing, were you on Wi-Fi at home, or were you out somewhere on cellular?
Customer
At home on Wi-Fi. But sometimes it’s spotty. Also I’m worried screen sharing is a privacy risk. Can someone see my passwords?
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a very smart question — and it’s one reason I’m careful with seniors about screen sharing.

Privacy safety tip (no jargon): during screen sharing, anything visible on your screen can be seen by the other person. So we avoid opening password screens, banking apps, or anything you don’t want shown. If a password box pops up, it’s okay to stop sharing first.

If your main problem is “the button is missing,” we’ll focus on eligibility/updates and restrictions. If the problem is “it won’t connect,” we focus on Wi-Fi/VPN and restart checks.
Customer
What should I check first, right now, without breaking anything? I just want a simple fix.
Technician avatar Technician
Here’s the safest “simple fix” order — it’s designed to avoid making things worse:

1) Confirm which method you’re using (FaceTime screen sharing vs AirPlay mirroring vs Zoom/Teams). The steps differ.
2) On home Wi-Fi, temporarily pause the VPN and try again (then turn it back on).
3) If devices aren’t showing up (TV/Mac), make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi name.
4) Do one normal restart later when you’re not mid-call (iPhone + TV/Mac). This often refreshes discovery and permissions.
5) If the button is still missing, check whether your iPhone and the other device have recent updates — missing options often come down to version mismatch.

If you tell me which part fails most (button missing vs can’t connect vs black screen), I can narrow it down without you changing a lot of settings.
Customer
If it’s missing because of settings, is that something I can fix myself? Or do I need service?
Technician avatar Technician
Almost always, this is settings, network, or software — not a hardware repair. Screen sharing doesn’t usually fail because of a broken part.

The most common “settings” causes are: restrictions (Screen Time), VPN/profiles, or an app permission. We can approach those carefully, one at a time, and stop if anything looks unfamiliar.

Service is only likely if your phone has bigger issues (Wi-Fi never works anywhere, FaceTime can’t connect at all, or the device is unstable). Otherwise, safe checks and updates are the normal path.

Trust moment: We’ll keep it simple and reversible — no risky resets unless we have a clear reason.
Customer
Thank you. I’ll try turning off the VPN and checking the Wi-Fi name on the TV. If it still won’t share, I’ll come back with what I see.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted first approach when iPhone screen sharing is not working: identify the type of sharing first, then test the safest “connection and permission” causes before changing bigger settings.

What most often helps:
• Confirm the method: FaceTime screen sharing vs AirPlay screen mirroring vs Zoom/Teams share screen (each behaves differently).
• If using AirPlay/mirroring, ensure the iPhone and TV/Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network name (not split networks).
• Temporarily pause a VPN (then retry) — VPNs commonly block device discovery.
• Restart the iPhone and the receiving device (TV/Apple TV/Mac) when you’re not mid-call, then test again.
• If the share option is missing, check for software updates on both devices and review restrictions like Screen Time carefully.

Why iPhone screen sharing can stop working (and why it can start suddenly)

Screen sharing can fail suddenly after an iOS update, a Wi-Fi change, or a privacy app like a VPN. Some options only appear when both devices support the same feature version (for example, FaceTime screen sharing between iPhone and Mac). For AirPlay, your iPhone must “discover” the TV or Apple TV on the network, which can break if devices are on different Wi-Fi names or the connection is unstable. This is usually not a hardware problem — it’s commonly software, network, or permission related. The safest approach is to confirm the exact type of screen sharing, then test one low-risk factor at a time.

What to check first: FaceTime share button, AirPlay mirroring, or app permissions

If the Share Screen button is missing in FaceTime, focus on device compatibility and updates on both ends, plus restrictions like Screen Time. If AirPlay mirroring can’t find the TV or won’t connect, focus on Wi-Fi (same network name), VPN status, and restarting devices. If screen sharing fails in Zoom/Teams/Meet, focus on app settings and whether the meeting host allows screen sharing. Avoid changing multiple settings at once — that makes it hard to know what helped. A careful, step-by-step check keeps you in control and avoids getting stuck mid-call.

iPhone screen sharing not working — gentle troubleshooting tips

Most issues come from Wi-Fi, VPN, updates, or restrictions — not a broken phone.

Start by confirming whether you mean FaceTime screen sharing, AirPlay screen mirroring, or an in-app share button. If devices don’t appear, Wi-Fi name mismatches and VPNs are common culprits. If the button is missing, updates and restrictions are often the reason. Keep privacy in mind: screen sharing shows what’s on your screen, so avoid opening sensitive apps while sharing. If you’re unsure, stop and ask for guidance before changing anything big.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid making multiple system changes at once. For device-specific steps, consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech or the manufacturer’s support before making decisions.

Additional troubleshooting options

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FAQ

Why did iPhone screen sharing stop working suddenly?

This often happens after an iOS update, a new Wi-Fi router setting, or a VPN being enabled. If you’re using AirPlay, the iPhone and TV may no longer be on the same Wi-Fi network name. If you’re using FaceTime, the share option can be missing if one device isn’t updated or supported. Start with the safest checks: Wi-Fi, VPN, and updates.

My iPhone screen share stopped after an update — is that normal?

It can be. Updates can move buttons, change menus, and sometimes require both devices to update to match features. You may also need to restart after an update for network discovery to behave normally. Check whether the other device (Mac/TV/Apple TV) is updated too. If it still fails, focus on Wi-Fi and restrictions next.

Is this a hardware problem or just settings / network?

Most of the time it’s settings, network, or software. Screen sharing depends on Wi-Fi discovery, permissions, and compatible versions on both devices. Hardware is more likely only if Wi-Fi never works anywhere or FaceTime can’t connect at all. Try one small check at a time so you can tell what helped. If you’re unsure, avoid big resets.

Can iPhone screen sharing be fixed without service?

Often, yes. Many issues resolve by confirming the sharing method, turning off VPN briefly, matching Wi-Fi networks, restarting devices, and checking updates. If the share button is missing, restrictions like Screen Time can be involved, and those can usually be adjusted carefully. Service is rarely needed unless Wi-Fi is consistently broken or the device is unstable. If privacy is a concern, only share your screen with someone you trust.

Sources

Filed under: Screen Display Issues

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