# Can I use Skype to view the other person's desktop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349 "2016-04-28T17:14:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/1 "2016-04-28T17:14:15Z")
MIL is a lover of her MacBook Pro but needs help sometimes. Doing it blind by phone is brutal of course. Is there a mode of Skype call that allows me to see her desktop instead of her wonderful face? Alternately, is there a software app I can have us both download that will allow me to view her desktop in real time while we speak so I can give her tech support?? Many thanks in advance, Toons ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/2 "2016-04-28T17:17:06Z")
> **[What can I do during a Skype call? | Skype Support](https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34858/what-can-i-do-during-a-skype-call)** ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/3 "2016-04-28T18:44:02Z")
I use [TeamViewer](http://www.teamviewer.com/en/) to provide support to my parents, and occasionally to log in to my home computer remotely. It works great. It’s free for personal use. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/4 "2016-04-28T20:15:15Z")
There are many. Google Chrome has Chrome desktop (if both people are using Chrome). Microsoft has Configuration Manager Remote Control. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/5 "2016-04-28T21:40:15Z")
Absent anything else, you could always just hold up a mirror. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/6 "2016-04-28T22:02:29Z")
You can share screens with Skype. It’s in the Call menu when you are connected on a phone call. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/7 "2016-04-29T03:04:42Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I use [TeamViewer](http://www.teamviewer.com/en/) to provide support to my parents, and occasionally to log in to my home computer remotely. It works great. > > It’s free for personal use. Another vote for TeamViewer. It’s free for non-commercial personal use. (I used to use LogMeIn but they started charging.) You can view the other desktop and also control it. It has clients for Windows, Android, and iOS (don’t know about Macs). I have literally used my Android phone to view and control my home desktop computer in a pinch. I use it on my iPad so I don’t need to take my work laptop on vacation. I use it to support my non-tech sister and my daughter at college. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/8 "2016-04-29T03:33:49Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Another vote for TeamViewer. It’s free for non-commercial personal use. (I used to use LogMeIn but they started charging.) You can view the other desktop and also control it. It has clients for Windows, Android, and iOS (don’t know about Macs). I have literally used my Android phone to view and control my home desktop computer in a pinch. I use it on my iPad so I don’t need to take my work laptop on vacation. I use it to support my non-tech sister and my daughter at college. [Macs are supported.](https://www.teamviewer.com/en/help/38-Which-operating-systems-are-supported) ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/9 "2016-04-29T05:15:08Z")
I use [join.me](http://join.me) for this kind of thing. Partly that’s because I already use several other LogMeIn products. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/10 "2016-04-29T21:22:17Z")
Last time I checked, OS X’s own built-in Messages app can do all of what you want, no extra software required. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/11 "2016-04-30T00:39:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Absent anything else, you could always just hold up a mirror. This was my first thought because I am a cheap \*\*&&^^ !! 🆒 Also, if it is a one off thing, maybe they don’t even have the skill to get a program ans install it. that is why the need help in the first place. Mostly I don’t as they are usually ungrateful… years ago when Win-98 was the ‘thing’ I would build up computers to give to people for free who really needed one and could not afford one. As time went by, the second time the computer was refused because it was not new, fancy, or very powerful, I quit doing it. People only wanted new stuff given to them. :rolleyes: I really like my dog better than most people. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/12 "2016-04-30T01:54:33Z")
Ha !! I happen to love my MIL a lot and don’t regard any tech support issues with any feelings other than, " She’s 83, she loves being in touch and using Skype and so on, more power to her. " 😃 Many thanks for the suggestions. I need to find Messenger. OSX has this? Fascinating. Will try that out first. Or, what **TriPolar** said. Within Skype. Will explore. Thanks !!! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/13 "2016-04-30T02:03:03Z")
I also like Team Viewer. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-skype-to-view-the-other-persons-desktop/753349/14 "2016-04-30T06:23:14Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Many thanks for the suggestions. I need to find Messenger. OSX has this? Fascinating. Will try that out first. The built-in Apple app is called Messages. It’s in your Applications folder. If you’re running an OS 4 years or older, it’s called iChat, but they are the same thing. If one of you is running an older OS, you might have to upgrade.