// GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
How to annotate your screen in Microsoft Teams on a Mac
Microsoft Teams has an Annotate tool in the presenter toolbar that locks your screen so you and others can draw on it. For drawing while you keep clicking, plus zoom and a spotlight, share your screen and use an app like Overlaid.
Annotate in Teams freezes what's on your screen so people can draw on top. That's handy for a whiteboard-style session.
It's less handy when you want to keep using the app while you point at it.
METHOD 01
Teams' Annotate tool
Included
Annotate locks the content on your screen so you and other people can draw or add notes over it.
- 1In a meeting, select Share and choose your screen.
- 2Pick Annotate from the toolbar while sharing.
- 3Choose who can draw, then use the whiteboard-style tools.
GOOD
- +Built in, no extra app
- +Others can draw too
NOT SO GOOD
- −Annotate locks what's on your screen while it's on, so you can't work in the app at the same time
- −Window sharing has had limits on Mac. Microsoft has announced annotation for single-window sharing, so check what your tenant has
METHOD 02THAT'S US
Overlaid
$11.99 once, 7-day free trial
Draws on top of your live screen, so you can draw, click through, zoom and carry on.
- 1In Teams, select Share and choose your entire screen.
- 2Press ⌃⌥D to draw, and press it again to go back to clicking.
- 3Use the spotlight or halo so people can follow your cursor.
GOOD
- +The app stays live while you draw
- +Zoom, spotlight and keystrokes too
- +Fading ink keeps the screen clean
NOT SO GOOD
- −Only you can draw, not other participants
- −Needs a whole-screen share to be visible
// WORTH KNOWING
THREE TIPS.
Allow screen recording first
On newer macOS, Teams needs Screen & System Audio Recording permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security before it can share.
Use Annotate when others should draw
It's built for group markup. Use Overlaid when it's only you pointing.
Entire screen, not a window
A separate drawing app only reaches viewers when you share your whole screen.
// FAQ
QUICK QUESTIONS.
Share your screen, then choose Annotate from the presenter toolbar. It locks what's on your screen so people can draw over it.
Teams' Annotate locks the content on screen while it's on. A separate drawing app lets you toggle between drawing and clicking.
Yes, when you share your entire screen.
// COMPARE
// GUIDES
// YOUR NEXT CALL
Draw on your screen in the next five minutes.
7 days free with every feature. Then a one-time purchase. No account, no subscription.