ZDNET
On occasion, a relative or a close friend reaches out to me in a moment of technical frustration, seeking advice or direct assistance in resolving an issue with their iPhone. In many of these instances, the matter can be quickly addressed simply by guiding them step by step over the phone — offering verbal directions that replicate what I would do if I were holding the device myself. However, there are times when this approach proves inadequate, particularly when the problem involves nuanced interactions with the screen or requires a precise sequence of taps and gestures. In such cases, troubleshooting without visual access feels nearly impossible.
Fortunately, Apple’s introduction of a sophisticated screen-sharing and remote control capability within FaceTime elegantly resolves this long-standing obstacle. This innovative enhancement empowers one user to visually share their display so that another can observe, annotate, and even directly operate the device as though it were in their own possession. For example, while guiding a family member, you can draw directly on their phone’s screen to indicate where to tap, swipe, or navigate. Should visual guidance alone fail to solve the issue, you can seamlessly transition into full remote control mode, permitting you to open apps, explore settings, and manipulate features exactly as if you were holding their phone physically.
Interestingly, this new tool is not limited to iPhones alone. It extends with some versatility to iPads as well, though a few noteworthy restrictions apply. An iPad can establish a connection to an iPhone and assume full control over it. Conversely, while an iPhone can connect to an iPad, it cannot remotely operate it. Likewise, when connecting an iPad to another iPad, screen sharing is possible, but neither drawing annotations nor remote control functions are supported. In essence, the experience between iPhones is the most comprehensive and interactive form of this feature.
Now, let us explore exactly how this functionality operates between two iPhones.
### How to Take Control of Another iPhone
#### What You Need
To begin, ensure that both your iPhone and the one belonging to the person you are assisting are running iOS 18 or later. This version of iOS introduces the necessary framework for remote screen access via FaceTime. Open **Settings**, select **General**, and then tap **Software Update** to verify and, if needed, install the latest system version. Without this update, the feature will remain unavailable.
Once both devices are properly updated, initiate a FaceTime call. You may either place the call yourself or receive one from the person in need of help. When the call comes through, the recipient must answer it and then tap **Join** to fully connect. After the call has been established, the next step is enabling screen sharing.
The person requiring assistance has two ways to share their screen. They can manually tap the **Share** icon, typically located at the top of the FaceTime interface, and choose **Share My Screen**. Alternatively, you can tap your own **Share** icon and select **Ask to Share**, which prompts the other person to approve the request. Upon accepting, their live screen will appear as a small thumbnail on your iPhone. Tapping that thumbnail expands it into a larger view, offering an interactive window into their device’s activity.
From this vantage, you can gently instruct the person on what areas to explore, which icons to tap, or how to navigate particular settings. If you prefer not to take direct control of their iPhone, you can still provide visual cues by marking on the shared screen. Simply tap on a specific element, and a temporary circular highlight will appear, briefly illuminating the item or button the other user should interact with. For more complex instructions, you may also draw or write over the live display, offering arrows, shapes, or notes that disappear automatically after a few seconds so as not to clutter the view.
By default, the shared screen appears in a slightly zoomed-out frame with a border for clarity. Should you need to examine smaller details more closely, tap the **magnifier** icon in the lower-left corner to zoom in. While this mode allows for better visibility, it disables both tapping and drawing actions. To restore interactive functions, simply tap the magnifier again to zoom back out.
If verbal coaching and annotations are not sufficient to resolve the problem, you can request full remote control over the other phone. To initiate this, tap the icon depicting a finger touching a circular area, located typically in the lower-right corner of your screen. A notification immediately appears on the other person’s iPhone, asking them to **Allow** remote control. For first-time connections, iOS adds an extra layer of security by confirming trust — the person will see a prompt verifying whether they recognize you. They must then tap **Continue** to grant permission.
After authorization is granted, you can operate their phone almost exactly as though it were in your hands. You can swipe between screens, open apps, and adjust settings. The magnifier remains available here as well: zooming in enhances visual clarity but temporarily pauses control; zooming out reactivates interaction.
When the issue is successfully resolved and you wish to return control, tap the **remote control** icon again. The other person immediately regains full access to their device. To end screen sharing altogether, instruct them to tap the **Share** icon at the top and stop the session. If you wish to conclude the FaceTime call entirely, tap your own screen’s thumbnail, revealing on-screen options, and then select **End**.
This refined FaceTime feature transforms remote technical assistance into a remarkably efficient and personal experience, eliminating the frustration of miscommunication. Whether you’re helping a parent adjust privacy settings or guiding a friend through an app configuration, being able to see and touch their screen virtually ensures clarity, confidence, and convenience for both parties.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-remotely-access-and-control-someone-elses-iphone-with-their-permission/
