Screen-capture browser support
Browser screen capture runs on the getDisplayMedia API. Desktop support is broad and stable; mobile support is the gap. Here's what works where.
This is part of the reference hub. Browser screen capture uses the navigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia() API. It always requires a secure context (HTTPS or localhost) and a user gesture, and it prompts a surface picker every session, with no silent or permanent capture.
Desktop support
| Browser | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Yes (72+) | Full support: screen, window, and tab capture |
| Edge | Yes (79+) | Same engine as Chrome; full support |
| Firefox | Yes (66+) | Screen and window capture; no individual-tab option |
| Safari (macOS) | Yes (13+) | Supported; may also require OS screen-recording permission for the browser |
| Opera | Yes (60+) | Chromium-based; full support |
Mobile support
| Platform | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iOS / iPadOS Safari | No | getDisplayMedia is not available |
| Chrome on iOS | No | Uses the Safari engine; same limitation |
| Chrome on Android | Partial | Device- and version-dependent; not reliable |
What this means in practice
- Build for desktop. Treat screen capture as a desktop-first feature and offer a typed or upload fallback on mobile.
- Require HTTPS. A missing picker on a working browser is almost always an insecure-context problem (see screen capture isn't working).
- Tab vs window vs screen. Chrome and Edge expose all three surfaces in the picker; Firefox omits single-tab capture.
Support reflects current stable browser versions as of 2026; the desktop picture has been stable for several years.
Frequently asked questions
Does screen capture work on iPhone or iPad?
No. iOS and iPadOS Safari do not support getDisplayMedia for capturing the screen or other tabs. Screen capture is effectively a desktop-only web feature today.
Does it need HTTPS?
Yes. getDisplayMedia is only available in a secure context: HTTPS in production, or localhost during development. On plain HTTP the call fails and no picker appears.
Can a website capture my screen without asking?
No. Every capture requires the user to pick a surface in a browser-controlled prompt. There's no permanent grant and no silent capture; the picker reappears each session by design.
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About a minute from open tab to a shareable URL your agent can ingest.
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