diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/index.d.ts b/apps/client/native/screen-share/index.d.ts
index 6abebff9..86c8f4ff 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/index.d.ts
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/index.d.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ export type { NativeScreenAudioPreferences } from '@monky/shared';
 export type NativeScreenCaptureEncoder = 'auto' | 'h264_texture_amf' | 'obs_nvenc_h264_tex'
   | 'obs_x264' | 'av1_texture_amf' | 'obs_nvenc_av1_tex' | 'monky_aom_av1'
   | 'apple_vt_h264' | 'apple_vt_h264_software';
+/** The H.264 profile a capture encodes: Main, or the Constrained Baseline of the compatible format (#858). */
+export type NativeScreenH264Profile = 'main' | 'constrained-baseline';
 export type NativeScreenCaptureTarget =
   | MacCaptureTarget
   | { platform?: never; kind: 'window' | 'game'; hwnd: number; expectedProcessId: number; expectedProcessCreationTime100ns: string }
@@ -68,6 +70,8 @@ export interface NativeScreenCaptureProbeOptions {
   runDirectory: string;
   video: { width: number; height: number; fps: number; bitrateKbps: number; scaleMode?: 'stretch' | 'fit' };
   encoder?: NativeScreenCaptureEncoder;
+  /** H.264 encoders only; Main when absent. */
+  h264Profile?: NativeScreenH264Profile;
 }
 
 export interface NativeScreenCaptureProbeResult extends NativeScreenCaptureCapability {
@@ -189,6 +193,8 @@ export interface NativeScreenEndpointOptions {
   audio?: NativeScreenAudioOptions;
   target?: NativeScreenCaptureTarget | LegacyNativeWindowCaptureTarget;
   captureEncoder?: NativeScreenCaptureEncoder;
+  /** The H.264 profile an H.264 publisher encodes and negotiates; Main when absent. */
+  h264Profile?: NativeScreenH264Profile;
   preserveAspectRatio?: boolean;
   captureDirectory?: string;
   isSourcePaused?: () => boolean;
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureBridge.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureBridge.cjs
index d6e3566d..8b4a0581 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureBridge.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureBridge.cjs
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ class CaptureBridge extends ObsHostBridge {
     assert.equal(path.basename(runDirectory), `monky-screen-capture-${runId}`);
     const video = Object.freeze(protocol.normalizedVideo(options.video));
     const encoder = protocol.validateEncoder(options.encoder ?? 'auto');
+    const h264Profile = options.h264Profile ?? 'main';
+    assert.ok(h264Profile === 'main' || (h264Profile === 'constrained-baseline' && encoder !== 'auto'
+      && protocol.ENCODERS[encoder].codec === 'h264'), 'Constrained Baseline needs an explicit H.264 encoder.');
     const bitrateCeilingKbps = options.bitrateCeilingKbps ?? 80000;
     assert.ok(Number.isSafeInteger(bitrateCeilingKbps) && bitrateCeilingKbps >= video.bitrateKbps
       && bitrateCeilingKbps <= 80000 && bitrateCeilingKbps % 50 === 0, 'Invalid capture bitrate ceiling.');
@@ -22,7 +25,7 @@ class CaptureBridge extends ObsHostBridge {
     super({
       ...options,
       protocol: { ...protocol, maxLineBytes: protocol.MAX_LINE_BYTES, allowUnpreparedStop: true,
-        validateMessage: (message, expected) => protocol.validateMessage(message, { ...expected, video, encoder }),
+        validateMessage: (message, expected) => protocol.validateMessage(message, { ...expected, video, encoder, h264Profile }),
         errorDetails: message => message.error },
       argumentsForSource: (source, id) => [
         `--runtime=${runtime.stockDirectory}`, `--run-directory=${runDirectory}`, `--run-id=${id}`,
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@ class CaptureBridge extends ObsHostBridge {
         `--height=${video.height}`, `--fps=${video.fps}`, `--bitrate=${video.bitrateKbps}`,
         `--scale-mode=${video.scaleMode}`,
         ...(encoder === 'obs_nvenc_av1_tex' ? [`--bitrate-ceiling=${bitrateCeilingKbps}`] : []),
+        ...(h264Profile === 'constrained-baseline' ? ['--h264-profile=constrained-baseline'] : []),
       ],
       validateRetirement: bridge => {
         const terminal = bridge.stopped ?? bridge.failure;
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureProtocol.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureProtocol.cjs
index 3e924f7f..4d016cef 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureProtocol.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/captureProtocol.cjs
@@ -98,11 +98,18 @@ function normalizedVideo(video) {
   return { ...video, scaleMode: video.scaleMode ?? 'stretch' };
 }
 
-function configuration(video, encoder = 'h264_texture_amf', kind = 'window') {
+/** The H.264 profile a capture encodes (#858); AV1 keeps the legacy `main` label. */
+function validateH264Profile(profile, encoder) {
+  assert.ok(profile === 'main' || profile === 'constrained-baseline', 'Unknown H.264 capture profile.');
+  assert.ok(profile === 'main' || ENCODERS[encoder]?.codec === 'h264', 'Only H.264 encoders have a Constrained Baseline.');
+  return profile;
+}
+
+function configuration(video, encoder = 'h264_texture_amf', kind = 'window', h264Profile = 'main') {
   validateVideo(video);
   assert.ok(typeof encoder === 'string' && Object.hasOwn(ENCODERS, encoder));
   assert.ok(['window', 'monitor', 'game'].includes(kind));
-  return { ...CONFIGURATION, codec: ENCODERS[encoder].codec, scaleMode: video.scaleMode ?? 'stretch', encoderId: encoder, rateControl: ENCODERS[encoder].rateControl,
+  return { ...CONFIGURATION, profile: validateH264Profile(h264Profile, encoder), codec: ENCODERS[encoder].codec, scaleMode: video.scaleMode ?? 'stretch', encoderId: encoder, rateControl: ENCODERS[encoder].rateControl,
     method: kind === 'game' ? 'game-hook' : 'wgc', width: video.width, height: video.height,
     fpsNumerator: video.fps, initialBitrateKbps: video.bitrateKbps };
 }
@@ -226,13 +233,14 @@ function validateMessage(message, expected) {
     }
     const encoder = validateEncoder(expected.encoder ?? 'auto');
     if (encoder !== 'auto') assert.equal(message.configuration.encoderId, encoder);
-    assert.deepEqual(message.configuration, configuration(expected.video, message.configuration.encoderId, kind));
+    assert.deepEqual(message.configuration, configuration(expected.video, message.configuration.encoderId, kind,
+      expected.h264Profile ?? 'main'));
   }
   const selected = message.configuration;
   assert.deepEqual(selected, configuration({
     width: selected?.width, height: selected?.height, fps: selected?.fpsNumerator, bitrateKbps: selected?.initialBitrateKbps,
     scaleMode: selected?.scaleMode,
-  }, selected?.encoderId, kind));
+  }, selected?.encoderId, kind, selected?.profile));
   if (!extended) assert.equal(selected.encoderId, CONFIGURATION.encoderId, 'Legacy protocol cannot claim NVENC support.');
   if (extended) {
     if (message.capability === null) assert.ok(message.type === 'error' || message.type === 'stopped');
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/capture.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/capture.cjs
index a65cb941..4a389372 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/capture.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/capture.cjs
@@ -7,13 +7,14 @@ const { normalizedVideo } = require('../captureProtocol.cjs');
 const { notifyObserver } = require('../asyncTools.cjs');
 
 class MacVideoCapture {
-  constructor({ target, video, mode, codec = 'h264', onPacket, onError, directory }, dependencies = {}) {
+  constructor({ target, video, mode, codec = 'h264', h264Profile = 'main', onPacket, onError, directory }, dependencies = {}) {
     assert.ok(mode === 'hardware' || mode === 'software');
     assert.ok(codec === 'h264' || codec === 'av1' && mode === 'software');
     assert.equal(typeof onPacket, 'function');
     assert.equal(typeof onError, 'function');
     this.target = validateMacTarget(target);
-    this.video = Object.freeze({ ...normalizedVideo(video), mode, codec });
+    assert.ok(h264Profile === 'main' || (h264Profile === 'constrained-baseline' && codec === 'h264'));
+    this.video = Object.freeze({ ...normalizedVideo(video), mode, codec, ...(h264Profile === 'main' ? {} : { h264Profile }) });
     this.errors = [];
     this.onError = onError;
     this.firstFrame = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/captureBridge.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/captureBridge.cjs
index 2592b7bf..e38936a1 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/captureBridge.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/mac/captureBridge.cjs
@@ -15,9 +15,15 @@ function encoderProfile(encoder) {
   assert.ok(Object.hasOwn(ENCODERS, encoder), 'The macOS backend requires an explicit native encoder.');
   return ENCODERS[encoder];
 }
-async function probe(host, video, encoder, signal) {
+/** The video a macOS capture encodes: the compatible format (#858) names its Constrained Baseline. */
+function encodedVideo(video, mode, codec, h264Profile = 'main') {
+  assert.ok(h264Profile === 'main' || (h264Profile === 'constrained-baseline' && codec === 'h264'),
+    'Only H.264 has a Constrained Baseline.');
+  return { ...normalizedVideo(video), mode, codec, ...(h264Profile === 'main' ? {} : { h264Profile }) };
+}
+async function probe(host, video, encoder, signal, h264Profile = 'main') {
   const { mode, codec } = encoderProfile(encoder);
-  const { value } = await host.request('media.probe', { video: { ...normalizedVideo(video), mode, codec } }, signal);
+  const { value } = await host.request('media.probe', { video: encodedVideo(video, mode, codec, h264Profile) }, signal);
   assert.equal(value.captureStarted, false);
   assert.equal(value.nativeClosed, true);
   assert.equal(value.hardwareExecutionObserved, null);
@@ -27,7 +33,10 @@ async function probe(host, video, encoder, signal) {
   if (codec === 'av1') {
     assert.equal(value.profileLevelId, null);
     assert.equal(value.sequenceVerified, true);
-  } else assert.match(value.profileLevelId, /^4d[0-9a-f]{4}$/u);
+  } else if (h264Profile === 'main') assert.match(value.profileLevelId, /^4d[0-9a-f]{4}$/u);
+  // Constrained Baseline: profile 66 with constraint_set1 (H.264 A.2.1).
+  else assert.ok(/^42[0-9a-f]{4}$/u.test(value.profileLevelId) && (Number.parseInt(value.profileLevelId.slice(2, 4), 16) & 0x40),
+    'The macOS encoder did not produce Constrained Baseline.');
   return Object.freeze({ encoderId: encoder, codec, mode, probe: codec === 'av1' ? 'libaom-session' : 'videotoolbox-session',
     probeVerified: true, textureInput: codec === 'h264', dynamicBitrate: true, hardwareSessionConfirmed: false,
     hardwareQualified: false });
@@ -59,6 +68,8 @@ class MacCaptureBridge {
     this.dependencies = dependencies;
     this.mode = encoderProfile(options.encoder).mode;
     this.codec = encoderProfile(options.encoder).codec;
+    this.h264Profile = options.h264Profile ?? 'main';
+    encodedVideo(options.video, this.mode, this.codec, this.h264Profile);
     this.video = Object.freeze(normalizedVideo(options.video));
     this.ceiling = options.bitrateCeilingKbps ?? 80000;
     this.sequence = 0;
@@ -69,11 +80,11 @@ class MacCaptureBridge {
     assert.ok(!this.#capture && !this.stopping, 'A retired or prepared macOS capture owner cannot be reused.');
     this.target = Object.freeze(structuredClone(validateMacTarget(target)));
     this.#capture = new MacVideoCapture({ target: this.target, video: this.video, mode: this.mode, codec: this.codec,
-      onPacket: this.options.onPacket, onError: this.options.onError },
+      h264Profile: this.h264Profile, onPacket: this.options.onPacket, onError: this.options.onError },
     { ...this.dependencies, runtime: this.options.host });
     const { value } = await this.#capture.host.request('resolve', { target: this.target }, signal);
     assert.deepEqual(value.target, this.target);
-    this.capability = await probe(this.#capture.host, this.video, this.options.encoder, signal);
+    this.capability = await probe(this.#capture.host, this.video, this.options.encoder, signal, this.h264Profile);
     return this.capability;
   }
   async start(target, signal) {
@@ -125,4 +136,4 @@ class MacCaptureBridge {
 }
 
 const assertMacCaptureBridgeClosed = Function.prototype.call.bind(MacCaptureBridge.prototype.assertClosed);
-module.exports = { MacCaptureBridge, probeCaptureCapabilities, encoderProfile, assertMacCaptureBridgeClosed };
+module.exports = { MacCaptureBridge, probeCaptureCapabilities, encoderProfile, encodedVideo, assertMacCaptureBridgeClosed };
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeEndpoint.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeEndpoint.cjs
index 27438ab3..4c77957c 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeEndpoint.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeEndpoint.cjs
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ class NativeScreenEndpoint {
       assert.equal(captureEncoderProfile(options.captureEncoder ?? 'auto', target).codec, source.codec ?? 'h264',
         'The selected capture encoder must match the announced screen codec.');
       if (options.preserveAspectRatio !== undefined) assert.equal(typeof options.preserveAspectRatio, 'boolean');
+      if (options.h264Profile !== undefined) {
+        assert.ok(['main', 'constrained-baseline'].includes(options.h264Profile), 'Unknown H.264 screen profile.');
+        assert.notEqual(source.codec, 'av1', 'An AV1 screen has no H.264 profile.');
+      }
       assert.ok(path.isAbsolute(captureDirectory));
     } else assert.ok(destination && typeof destination.frame?.isDestroyed === 'function');
     Object.assign(this, { runtime, role, mode, sessionId, publisherSessionId, channelId, pipelineId, source, profile,
@@ -81,6 +85,8 @@ class NativeScreenEndpoint {
     this.audioApplied = true;
     this.target = target ? cloneSource(target) : null;
     this.captureEncoder = options.captureEncoder ?? 'auto';
+    // The compatible format's Constrained Baseline (#858): its encoder and its engine negotiate only that profile.
+    this.h264Profile = options.h264Profile ?? 'main';
     this.preserveAspectRatio = options.preserveAspectRatio ?? true;
     this.isSourcePaused = options.isSourcePaused ?? (() => false);
     this.assertSourceCurrent = options.assertSourceCurrent ?? (() => {});
@@ -113,7 +119,8 @@ class NativeScreenEndpoint {
       maxResources: 64, maxDecodedFrames: 16,
       maximumH264Level: role === 'publish' ? Number.parseInt(getScreenH264ProfileLevelId(profile).slice(-2), 16) : 60,
       requireAudio: source.audio,
-      videoInput: role === 'publish' ? (source.codec === 'av1' ? 'encoded-av1' : 'encoded-h264') : 'nv12',
+      videoInput: role !== 'publish' ? 'nv12' : source.codec === 'av1' ? 'encoded-av1'
+        : options.h264Profile === 'constrained-baseline' ? 'encoded-h264-cb' : 'encoded-h264',
     }, event => {
       if (!this.transport) { this.early.push(event); return; }
       this.track(this.dispatch(event));
@@ -498,6 +505,7 @@ class NativeScreenEndpoint {
     this.host = createCaptureBridge({
       host: this.runtime.host, runtime: this.runtime.obs, runId, runDirectory: this.runDirectory,
       encoder: this.captureEncoder,
+      ...(this.source.codec === 'av1' ? {} : { h264Profile: this.h264Profile }),
       bitrateCeilingKbps: maxBitrateKbps,
       video: { width, height, fps, bitrateKbps: Math.min(5000, maxBitrateKbps),
         scaleMode: this.preserveAspectRatio ? 'fit' : 'stretch' },
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeRtc/engine/encoded-contract.json b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeRtc/engine/encoded-contract.json
index 2336143b..0537de8d 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeRtc/engine/encoded-contract.json
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/runtime/nativeRtc/engine/encoded-contract.json
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     "peer.configureVideoPlayout": "target=peerId; {minimumDelayMs:integer[0,1000]}, only once before any receivers exist. Applies the public SetJitterBufferMinimumDelay API to video receivers; audio is unchanged. Returns {minimumDelayMs,actualDelayMeasured:false}; a request is not an end-to-end latency measurement."
   },
   "node": {
-    "options": "Revision6 options plus videoInput:'nv12'|'encoded-h264'|'encoded-av1' (default nv12). 'nv12' engines only receive and export decoded NV12; encoded engines publish one source of their own codec. Encoded source and engine modes must match.",
+    "options": "Revision6 options plus videoInput:'nv12'|'encoded-h264'|'encoded-h264-cb'|'encoded-av1' (default nv12; encoded-h264-cb is the compatible format's Constrained Baseline). 'nv12' engines only receive and export decoded NV12; encoded engines publish one source of their own codec. Encoded source and engine modes must match.",
     "submitEncodedFrame": "engine.submitEncodedFrame(sourceId,{frameId,data:Buffer,keyframe,timestampUs,durationUs,ntpTimeMs,pts,dts,timebaseNumerator,timebaseDenominator}) -> {sourceId,frameId,inputBytes,copied:true,networkDeliveryConfirmed:false}; synchronous bounded native copy, not a JS-memory loan, retirement Promise or network delivery proof. PTS/DTS are original canonical signed int64 decimal strings."
   },
   "events": {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contract.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contract.h
index bf82232f..bf24d02e 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contract.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contract.h
@@ -58,7 +58,12 @@ inline const char* ScaleModeName(ScaleMode mode) { return mode == ScaleMode::Fit
 struct VideoConfiguration {
   std::uint32_t width = 1920, height = 1080, fps = 120, bitrateKbps = 5000;
   ScaleMode scaleMode = ScaleMode::Stretch;
+  // The compatible format (#858): H.264 Constrained Baseline instead of Main.
+  bool constrainedBaseline = false;
 };
+inline const char* H264ProfileName(const VideoConfiguration& video) {
+  return video.constrainedBaseline ? "constrained-baseline" : "main";
+}
 
 inline constexpr std::uint32_t kMaximumBitrateKbps = 80000;
 
@@ -281,7 +286,7 @@ inline void ValidatePathEvidence(const PathEvidence& value) {
 }
 
 inline Arguments ParseArguments(std::span<const std::wstring_view> input) {
-  Require(input.size() >= 9 && input.size() <= 17, "Expected capture identity and explicit video configuration",
+  Require(input.size() >= 9 && input.size() <= 18, "Expected capture identity and explicit video configuration",
           "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT");
   Arguments value;
   unsigned seen = 0;
@@ -354,6 +359,10 @@ inline Arguments ParseArguments(std::span<const std::wstring_view> input) {
       } else if (name == L"--bitrate-ceiling") {
         bit = 1048576;
         value.bitrateCeilingKbps = static_cast<std::uint32_t>(Decimal(text, kMaximumBitrateKbps));
+      } else if (name == L"--h264-profile") {
+        bit = 2097152;
+        Require(text == L"main" || text == L"constrained-baseline", "Unsupported H264 profile", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT");
+        value.video.constrainedBaseline = text == L"constrained-baseline";
       } else throw ContractError("ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT", "Unknown native host option");
     }
     Require((seen & bit) == 0, "Duplicate native host option", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT");
@@ -362,7 +371,9 @@ inline Arguments ParseArguments(std::span<const std::wstring_view> input) {
   ValidateVideoConfiguration(value.video);
   Require(value.bitrateCeilingKbps >= value.video.bitrateKbps && value.bitrateCeilingKbps % 50 == 0,
           "Invalid capture bitrate ceiling", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_VIDEO");
-  const auto targetOptions = seen & ~(524288u | 1048576u);
+  Require(!value.video.constrainedBaseline || (value.encoder != EncoderKind::Auto && !IsAv1(value.encoder)),
+          "Constrained Baseline needs an explicit H264 encoder", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT");
+  const auto targetOptions = seen & ~(524288u | 1048576u | 2097152u);
   if (value.encoderProbe) {
     Require(targetOptions == ((511u & ~24u) | 2048u | 262144u),
             "Encoder probing must not select a window, monitor or game", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ARGUMENT");
@@ -754,7 +765,10 @@ class BitReader {
 };
 
 inline void ReadSpsPicture(BitReader& bits, const VideoConfiguration& video) {
-  Require(bits.Read(8) == 77, "Encoded SPS did not accept H264 main profile", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_H264");
+  // A Baseline SPS is marked Constrained Baseline by NormalizeConstrainedBaseline before it leaves the host.
+  Require(bits.Read(8) == (video.constrainedBaseline ? 66u : 77u), video.constrainedBaseline
+      ? "Encoded SPS did not accept H264 constrained baseline profile" : "Encoded SPS did not accept H264 main profile",
+      "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_H264");
   Require((bits.Read(8) & 3u) == 0, "Invalid SPS reserved constraint bits", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_H264");
   const auto level = bits.Read(8);
   Require(level >= RequiredCaptureH264Level(video) &&
@@ -937,6 +951,22 @@ inline AmfColorNormalization NormalizeAmfBt709(std::span<const std::uint8_t> byt
   return result;
 }
 
+// A Baseline encoder (AMF and NVENC "baseline", x264) emits no slice groups or redundant pictures, which is
+// Constrained Baseline (H.264 A.2.1); some leave constraint_set1 clear. The compatible format (#858) declares it,
+// so receivers that admit only Constrained Baseline accept the stream. The flag byte follows profile_idc (never
+// zero), so no emulation prevention depends on it. Empty means no rewrite.
+inline std::vector<std::uint8_t> NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(std::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes,
+    const VideoConfiguration& video) {
+  std::vector<std::uint8_t> result;
+  if (!video.constrainedBaseline) return result;
+  VisitAnnexB(bytes, [&](std::span<const std::uint8_t> nal, std::size_t begin, std::size_t) {
+    if ((nal.front() & 0x1fu) != 7 || nal.size() < 4 || nal[1] != 66 || (nal[2] & 0x40u)) return;
+    if (result.empty()) result.assign(bytes.begin(), bytes.end());
+    result[begin + 2] = static_cast<std::uint8_t>(result[begin + 2] | 0x40u);
+  });
+  return result;
+}
+
 inline std::vector<std::uint8_t> CompleteH264Keyframe(std::span<const std::uint8_t> accessUnit,
     std::span<const std::uint8_t> parameterSets, const VideoConfiguration& video) {
   const auto picture = InspectAnnexB(accessUnit, video);
@@ -1268,7 +1298,7 @@ inline std::string ConfigurationJson(Method method, const VideoConfiguration& vi
       ",\"scaleMode\":" + JsonString(ScaleModeName(video.scaleMode)) +
       ",\"rateControl\":" + JsonString(EncoderRateControl(encoder)) +
       ",\"codec\":" + JsonString(EncoderCodec(encoder)) + ",\"encoderId\":" + JsonString(EncoderId(encoder)) +
-      ",\"profile\":\"main\",\"bFrames\":0,\"keyframeIntervalSeconds\":1}";
+      ",\"profile\":" + JsonString(H264ProfileName(video)) + ",\"bFrames\":0,\"keyframeIntervalSeconds\":1}";
 }
 
 inline std::string CommonJson(const Common& common, std::string_view type, std::uint64_t sequence,
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contractTest.cpp b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contractTest.cpp
index 28c97f22..c4eda0fb 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contractTest.cpp
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/contractTest.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ struct TestSpsOptions {
   bool vui = false, videoSignal = true, colourDescription = true, richVui = false;
   std::uint8_t fullRange = 0, primaries = 0, transfer = 1, matrix = 1;
   std::uint32_t id = 0, order = 0;
+  std::uint8_t profile = 77, constraints = 0;
 };
 
 static std::vector<std::uint8_t> ParameterSets(const VideoConfiguration& video, TestSpsOptions options = {}) {
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ static std::vector<std::uint8_t> ParameterSets(const VideoConfiguration& video,
     for (auto copy = value; copy; copy >>= 1) ++width;
     number(0, width - 1); number(value, width);
   };
-  number(77, 8); number(0, 8); number((std::max)(51u, RequiredCaptureH264Level(video)), 8);
+  number(options.profile, 8); number(options.constraints, 8); number((std::max)(51u, RequiredCaptureH264Level(video)), 8);
   ue(options.id); ue(0); ue(options.order);
   if (options.order == 0) ue(0);
   else if (options.order == 1) { number(0, 1); ue(0); ue(1); ue(2); ue(0); ue(1); }
@@ -506,6 +507,27 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
     }
     rejects([&] { RequiredCaptureAv1Level({3840, 2160, 60, 5000}, 4950); });
     rejects([&] { RequiredCaptureAv1Level({3840, 2160, 60, 5000}, 80050); });
+    {
+      // A Baseline SPS is declared Constrained Baseline in the compatible format, and only there (#858).
+      VideoConfiguration baseline{1920, 1080, 60, 5000};
+      baseline.constrainedBaseline = true;
+      VideoConfiguration mainVideo = baseline;
+      mainVideo.constrainedBaseline = false;
+      TestSpsOptions plain;
+      plain.profile = 66;
+      const auto plainBaseline = ParameterSets(baseline, plain);
+      const auto marked = NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(plainBaseline, baseline);
+      check(marked.size() == plainBaseline.size() && plainBaseline[5] == 0 && marked[5] == 0x40 &&
+          std::equal(marked.begin() + 6, marked.end(), plainBaseline.begin() + 6));
+      check(InspectAnnexB(marked, baseline).sps && InspectAnnexB(marked, baseline).pps);
+      TestSpsOptions flagged = plain;
+      flagged.constraints = 0xc0;
+      check(NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(ParameterSets(baseline, flagged), baseline).empty());
+      check(NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(plainBaseline, mainVideo).empty());
+      check(NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(ParameterSets(mainVideo), mainVideo).empty());
+      rejects([&] { InspectAnnexB(plainBaseline, mainVideo); });
+      rejects([&] { InspectAnnexB(ParameterSets(mainVideo), baseline); });
+    }
     check(RequiredCaptureH264Level({3840, 2160, 120, 20000}) == 60);
     check(RequiredCaptureH264Level({3840, 2160, 60, 20000}) == 52);
     check(RequiredCaptureH264Level({1920, 1080, 120, 20000}) == 51);
@@ -874,6 +896,31 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
         game.encoder == EncoderKind::Nvenc && game.expectedCreation == 123456789);
     gameArguments.back() = L"--encoder=x264";
     rejects([&] { ParseArguments(gameArguments); });
+    {
+      // The compatible format (#858): Constrained Baseline, only with an explicit H.264 encoder.
+      auto baseline = windowArguments;
+      baseline.insert(baseline.end(), {L"--encoder=obs_x264", L"--h264-profile=constrained-baseline"});
+      const auto parsed = ParseArguments(baseline);
+      check(parsed.video.constrainedBaseline && parsed.encoder == EncoderKind::X264);
+      check(ConfigurationJson(Method::Wgc, parsed.video, EncoderKind::X264).find("\"profile\":\"constrained-baseline\"")
+          != std::string::npos);
+      check(ConfigurationJson(Method::Wgc, ParseArguments(windowArguments).video, EncoderKind::X264)
+          .find("\"profile\":\"main\"") != std::string::npos);
+      baseline.back() = L"--h264-profile=main";
+      check(!ParseArguments(baseline).video.constrainedBaseline);
+      for (const auto profile : {L"--h264-profile=high", L"--h264-profile=", L"--h264-profile=Main"}) {
+        baseline.back() = profile;
+        rejects([&] { ParseArguments(baseline); });
+      }
+      baseline.back() = L"--h264-profile=constrained-baseline";
+      for (const auto encoder : {L"--encoder=auto", L"--encoder=monky_aom_av1", L"--encoder=av1_texture_amf"}) {
+        baseline[baseline.size() - 2] = encoder;
+        rejects([&] { ParseArguments(baseline); });
+      }
+      auto duplicated = windowArguments;
+      duplicated.insert(duplicated.end(), {L"--encoder=obs_x264", L"--h264-profile=main", L"--h264-profile=main"});
+      rejects([&] { ParseArguments(duplicated); });
+    }
     gameArguments.pop_back();
     rejects([&] { ParseArguments(gameArguments); });
     std::vector<std::wstring_view> monitorArguments{
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/host.cpp b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/host.cpp
index 45041f96..650d28c9 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/host.cpp
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/capture/host.cpp
@@ -260,9 +260,15 @@ class Host {
         delivered.data = normalizedPacket.bytes.data();
         delivered.size = normalizedPacket.bytes.size();
       }
+      auto baselinePacket = NormalizeConstrainedBaseline({delivered.data, delivered.size}, host.arguments_.video);
+      if (!baselinePacket.empty()) {
+        delivered.data = baselinePacket.data();
+        delivered.size = baselinePacket.size();
+      }
       std::vector<std::uint8_t> independentKeyframe;
       std::vector<std::uint8_t> av1Sequence;
       AmfColorNormalization normalizedParameters;
+      std::vector<std::uint8_t> baselineParameters;
       std::span<const std::uint8_t> parameterSets;
       if (packet->keyframe) {
         std::uint8_t* extra = nullptr;
@@ -274,6 +280,8 @@ class Host {
         normalizedParameters = NormalizeAmfBt709(parameterSets, host.arguments_.video,
             host.capability_.encoder, host.amfColorNormalizationAllowed_);
         if (!normalizedParameters.bytes.empty()) parameterSets = normalizedParameters.bytes;
+        baselineParameters = NormalizeConstrainedBaseline(parameterSets, host.arguments_.video);
+        if (!baselineParameters.empty()) parameterSets = baselineParameters;
         // Preview may have consumed the first headers before a viewer joins.
         if (IsAv1(host.capability_.encoder)) {
           auto keyframe = CompleteAv1Keyframe({delivered.data, delivered.size}, parameterSets,
@@ -693,6 +701,11 @@ class Host {
           ",\"settingsAccepted\":true,\"hardwareApplicationConfirmed\":false,\"fpsApplied\":null}");
     }
   }
+  // OBS lists the same "baseline" for x264, NVENC and AMF; NormalizeConstrainedBaseline declares it Constrained.
+  // AV1 encoders keep their pinned "main" profile.
+  std::string H264EncoderProfile() const {
+    return arguments_.video.constrainedBaseline && !IsAv1(capability_.encoder) ? "baseline" : "main";
+  }
   void EncoderSettings() {
     const auto* codec = api().obs_get_encoder_codec(SelectedEncoder());
     Require(codec || IsSoftware(capability_.encoder), "The selected hardware codec is not registered for this GPU",
@@ -711,7 +724,7 @@ class Host {
     SetInteger(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "keyint_sec", 1);
     if (IsSoftware(capability_.encoder)) {
       if (capability_.encoder == EncoderKind::X264) {
-        SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "profile", "main");
+        SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "profile", H264EncoderProfile());
         SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "preset", "veryfast");
         SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "tune", "zerolatency");
         const auto level = (std::max)(51u, RequiredCaptureH264Level(arguments_.video));
@@ -725,7 +738,7 @@ class Host {
       return;
     }
     if (api().obs_properties_get(properties.value, "profile"))
-      SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "profile", "main");
+      SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "profile", H264EncoderProfile());
     SetString(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "preset", IsNvenc(capability_.encoder) ? "p4" : "balanced");
     if (api().obs_properties_get(properties.value, "bf")) SetInteger(properties.value, encoderSettings_, "bf", 0);
     else Require((IsNvenc(capability_.encoder) || IsAv1(capability_.encoder)) && api().obs_data_get_int(encoderSettings_, "bf") == 0,
@@ -762,7 +775,7 @@ class Host {
           api().obs_data_get_int(settings.value, "keyint_sec") == 1,
           "Encoder changed the selected real-time rate settings", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ENCODER_INITIALIZATION");
       if (capability_.encoder == EncoderKind::X264)
-        Require(BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "profile"), 32) == "main" &&
+        Require(BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "profile"), 32) == H264EncoderProfile() &&
             BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "preset"), 32) == "veryfast" &&
             BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "tune"), 32) == "zerolatency",
             "Software H264 changed its selected latency settings", "ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ENCODER_INITIALIZATION");
@@ -770,7 +783,7 @@ class Host {
     }
     const bool nvenc = IsNvenc(capability_.encoder);
     Require(BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "rate_control"), 32) == EncoderRateControl(capability_.encoder) &&
-        BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "profile"), 32) == "main" &&
+        BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "profile"), 32) == H264EncoderProfile() &&
         BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, "preset"), 32) == (nvenc ? "p4" : "balanced") &&
         BoundedString(api().obs_data_get_string(settings.value, nvenc ? "opts" : "ffmpeg_opts"), 512) ==
             EncoderProfileOptions(capability_.encoder, arguments_.video, arguments_.bitrateCeilingKbps) &&
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/host.mm b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/host.mm
index 57d6aa1c..ae19fd53 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/host.mm
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/host.mm
@@ -159,7 +159,10 @@ void Finish() {
   --operations;
 }
 monky::screen::mac::EncoderOptions VideoOptions(NSDictionary* value) {
-  Exact(value, @[@"width", @"height", @"fps", @"bitrateKbps", @"mode", @"scaleMode", @"codec"]);
+  NSArray<NSString*>* keys = @[@"width", @"height", @"fps", @"bitrateKbps", @"mode", @"scaleMode", @"codec"];
+  // The compatible format (#858) names its H.264 profile; Main when absent.
+  Exact(value, [value isKindOfClass:NSDictionary.class] && value[@"h264Profile"]
+      ? [keys arrayByAddingObject:@"h264Profile"] : keys);
   monky::screen::mac::EncoderOptions result;
   result.width = static_cast<int>(Number(value[@"width"], 4, 3840));
   result.height = static_cast<int>(Number(value[@"height"], 2, 2160));
@@ -171,6 +174,11 @@ void Finish() {
   Require([value[@"codec"] isEqual:@"h264"] || [value[@"codec"] isEqual:@"av1"]);
   result.av1 = [value[@"codec"] isEqual:@"av1"];
   Require(!result.av1 || !result.hardware, "ERR_MAC_AV1_HARDWARE_UNSUPPORTED");
+  if (value[@"h264Profile"]) {
+    Require([value[@"h264Profile"] isEqual:@"main"] || [value[@"h264Profile"] isEqual:@"constrained-baseline"]);
+    result.constrained_baseline = [value[@"h264Profile"] isEqual:@"constrained-baseline"];
+    Require(!result.av1 || !result.constrained_baseline);
+  }
   return result;
 }
 uint64_t CaptureId(NSDictionary* arguments) {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.h
index c286458e..db6a4349 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ struct EncoderOptions {
   int width = 0, height = 0, fps = 0, bitrate_kbps = 0;
   bool hardware = false;
   bool av1 = false;
+  // The compatible format (#858): H.264 Constrained Baseline instead of Main.
+  bool constrained_baseline = false;
 };
 class VideoEncoder {
  public:
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.mm b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.mm
index 11a05c7d..9ead89e4 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.mm
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/mac/videoEncoder.mm
@@ -168,8 +168,10 @@ static void Receive(void* owner, void* context, OSStatus status, VTEncodeInfoFla
       options.bitrate_kbps * 1000);
   self.minimum_level = level;
   self.maximum_bitrate_bps = screen_video::H264LevelMaxBitrate(level);
+  // VideoToolbox names Constrained Baseline only with an automatic level, never above the one required.
   self.bitstream = std::make_unique<screen_video::H264Bitstream>(options.width, options.height, level,
-      screen_video::H264Profile::Main, level > 52 ? screen_video::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum
+      options.constrained_baseline ? screen_video::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline : screen_video::H264Profile::Main,
+      level > 52 || options.constrained_baseline ? screen_video::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum
         : screen_video::H264LevelPolicy::Exact);
   NSDictionary* specification = options.hardware
       ? @{(__bridge NSString*)kVTVideoEncoderSpecification_RequireHardwareAcceleratedVideoEncoder: @YES}
@@ -194,7 +196,9 @@ static void Receive(void* owner, void* context, OSStatus status, VTEncodeInfoFla
     self.Integer(kVTCompressionPropertyKey_ExpectedFrameRate, options.fps);
     self.Integer(kVTCompressionPropertyKey_MaxKeyFrameInterval, options.fps);
     self.Integer(kVTCompressionPropertyKey_AverageBitRate, options.bitrate_kbps * 1000);
-    NSString* profile = level > 52 ? (__bridge NSString*)kVTProfileLevel_H264_Main_AutoLevel
+    // kVTProfileLevel_H264_ConstrainedBaseline_AutoLevel (macOS 12+); older systems answer "not supported".
+    NSString* profile = options.constrained_baseline ? @"H264_ConstrainedBaseline_AutoLevel"
+      : level > 52 ? (__bridge NSString*)kVTProfileLevel_H264_Main_AutoLevel
       : [NSString stringWithFormat:@"H264_Main_%u_%u",
           static_cast<unsigned>(level / 10), static_cast<unsigned>(level % 10)];
     const auto selected = VTSessionSetProperty(self.session, kVTCompressionPropertyKey_ProfileLevel,
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_codec_policy.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_codec_policy.h
index 8d8cdd51..df15f9fa 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_codec_policy.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_codec_policy.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ inline void Require(bool condition, const char* message, MonkyEngineStatus statu
 struct EncodedConfiguration {
   std::uint32_t width = 1920, height = 1080, fps = 120;
   bool av1 = false;
+  // The compatible format (#858): H.264 Constrained Baseline instead of Main.
+  bool compatible = false;
 };
 
 inline std::uint8_t Av1ReceiveLevel(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format) {
@@ -76,6 +78,18 @@ inline std::optional<policy::NegotiatedH264> ParseEncodedFormat(const webrtc::Sd
   return parsed;
 }
 
+// The compatible format (#858) is Constrained Baseline at any level a receiver advertises: browsers advertise
+// the default Level 3.1 and decode up to 5.2 (their WebRTC decoder probe decides before they watch, and the
+// source never needs more than 5.2), and the SFU forwards without levels. Such a receiver is served as if it
+// declared the engine's ceiling.
+inline std::optional<policy::NegotiatedH264> ParseCompatibleFormat(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format) {
+  auto negotiated = format;
+  negotiated.parameters.erase("max-recv-level");
+  const auto parsed = policy::ParseFormat(negotiated, kEncodedH264Level);
+  if (!parsed || parsed->profile != sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline) return std::nullopt;
+  return policy::NegotiatedH264{sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline, kEncodedH264Level};
+}
+
 inline bool AcceptsEncodedFormat(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format,
                                  std::uint8_t minimum_level = kEncodedH264Level) {
   const auto parsed = ParseEncodedFormat(format);
@@ -83,9 +97,9 @@ inline bool AcceptsEncodedFormat(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format,
 }
 
 // The level a receiver negotiated with this format, when a source of this codec can send to that receiver at all.
-inline std::optional<std::uint8_t> ReceiverLevel(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format, bool av1) {
+inline std::optional<std::uint8_t> ReceiverLevel(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format, bool av1, bool compatible = false) {
   if (av1) return policy::IsScreenAv1Format(format) ? std::optional(Av1ReceiveLevel(format)) : std::nullopt;
-  const auto parsed = ParseEncodedFormat(format);
+  const auto parsed = compatible ? ParseCompatibleFormat(format) : ParseEncodedFormat(format);
   return parsed ? std::optional(parsed->level) : std::nullopt;
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.cc b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.cc
index bc225475..b88241c9 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.cc
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.cc
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ void ValidateEncodedFrame(const MonkyEngineEncodedFrame& frame) {
       "Invalid bounded Annex B input metadata");
 }
 
-EncodedFactoryBundle CreateEncodedVideoFactory(std::uint8_t maximum_level, bool av1) {
-  auto context = std::make_shared<EncodedVideoContext>(maximum_level, av1);
+EncodedFactoryBundle CreateEncodedVideoFactory(std::uint8_t maximum_level, bool av1, bool compatible) {
+  auto context = std::make_shared<EncodedVideoContext>(maximum_level, av1, compatible);
   auto field_trials = webrtc::FieldTrials::Create(
        "WebRTC-Dav1dDecoder-CropToRenderResolution/Enabled/"
       "WebRTC-FrameDropper/Disabled/"
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ std::shared_ptr<VideoSource> CreateEncodedVideoSource(Host& host, std::uint64_t
         item.key() == "syncGroup" || item.key() == "enabled", "Unknown encoded source option");
   auto configuration = ParseConfiguration(options);
   configuration.av1 = context->av1;
+  configuration.compatible = context->compatible;
   const auto group = SyncGroup(options);
   const bool enabled = Boolean(options, "enabled");
   Require(context != nullptr, "The engine has no external-H264 factory");
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.h
index d732c5ca..cf4525cc 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ struct EncodedFactoryBundle {
   std::unique_ptr<webrtc::FieldTrialsView> field_trials;
 };
 
-EncodedFactoryBundle CreateEncodedVideoFactory(std::uint8_t maximum_level, bool av1 = false);
+EncodedFactoryBundle CreateEncodedVideoFactory(std::uint8_t maximum_level, bool av1 = false, bool compatible = false);
 std::shared_ptr<VideoSource> CreateEncodedVideoSource(
     Host& host, std::uint64_t id, const Json& options,
     const std::shared_ptr<Cancellation>& cancellation,
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_checks.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_checks.h
index 4581c803..75fb8967 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_checks.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_checks.h
@@ -123,6 +123,31 @@ inline void RunEncodedVideoChecks(const std::function<void(bool, const char*)>&
     check(rejected, "Contradictory colour must retain its exact observed values in the error");
     check(parser.Sps().colorPrimaries == 2, "Rejected colour must not poison the admitted SPS cache");
   }
+  {
+    // The compatible format (#858): a Baseline SPS without constraint_set1 leaves declared Constrained Baseline.
+    std::vector<std::uint8_t> packet{
+      0, 0, 0, 1, 0x67, 0x42, 0x00, 0x33, 0xf4, 0x02, 0x80, 0x2d, 0xd3, 0x50, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20,
+      0, 0, 0, 1, 0x68, 0xce, 0x3c, 0x80, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0x65, 0xbc,
+    };
+    auto input = frame;
+    input.data = packet.data(); input.data_bytes = static_cast<std::uint32_t>(packet.size());
+    sv::H264Bitstream compatible(1280, 720, kEncodedH264Level, sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline,
+        sv::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum);
+    const auto admitted = Normalize(compatible, input);
+    auto expected = packet;
+    expected[6] = 0x40;
+    check(admitted.hasPicture && admitted.keyFrame && admitted.data == expected &&
+        compatible.Sps().ProfileLevelId() == "424033",
+        "The compatible format must declare a Baseline stream's Constrained Baseline");
+    sv::H264Bitstream main_parser(1280, 720, kEncodedH264Level, sv::H264Profile::Main, sv::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum);
+    rejects([&] { Normalize(main_parser, input); });
+    auto groups = packet;
+    groups[23] = 0xc4;
+    input.data = groups.data();
+    sv::H264Bitstream sliced(1280, 720, kEncodedH264Level, sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline,
+        sv::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum);
+    rejects([&] { Normalize(sliced, input); });
+  }
   for (const auto bad : {0u, static_cast<unsigned>(kEncodedMaximumPacket + 1)}) {
     auto copy = frame; copy.data_bytes = bad; rejects([&] { ValidateEncodedFrame(copy); });
   }
@@ -264,6 +289,43 @@ inline void RunEncodedVideoChecks(const std::function<void(bool, const char*)>&
     context->source.reset();
     check(factory.GetSupportedFormats() == advertised, "Source retirement must not raise cached capabilities to Main6");
   }
+  {
+    // The compatible format (#858): Constrained Baseline only, served at any level a receiver advertises.
+    auto compatible = CreateEncodedVideoFactory(52, false, true);
+    const auto advertised = compatible.encoder_factory->GetSupportedFormats();
+    check(advertised.size() == 1 && policy::ParseFormat(advertised[0], kEncodedH264Level)->profile ==
+        sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline && advertised[0].parameters.at("profile-level-id") == "42e034",
+        "The compatible engine must advertise only Constrained Baseline at its ceiling");
+    auto firefox = advertised[0];
+    firefox.parameters["profile-level-id"] = "42e01f";
+    check(compatible.encoder_factory->QueryCodecSupport(firefox, "L1T1").is_supported,
+        "A browser's default Level 3.1 Constrained Baseline receiver must be served");
+    firefox.parameters["max-recv-level"] = "e034";
+    check(ReceiverLevel(firefox, false, true) == kEncodedH264Level,
+        "An extended Constrained Baseline receive level must not refuse the receiver");
+    auto main_format = firefox;
+    main_format.parameters.erase("max-recv-level");
+    main_format.parameters["profile-level-id"] = "4d003c";
+    check(!compatible.encoder_factory->QueryCodecSupport(main_format, "L1T1").is_supported &&
+        !ReceiverLevel(main_format, false, true), "A compatible source must not negotiate Main");
+    auto baseline = main_format;
+    baseline.parameters["profile-level-id"] = "42001f";
+    check(!ReceiverLevel(baseline, false, true), "Plain Baseline is not the compatible format");
+    check(!bundle.encoder_factory->QueryCodecSupport(firefox, "L1T1").is_supported,
+        "A Main engine must still refuse a Constrained Baseline-only receiver");
+    Json router{{"codecs", Json::array({Json{{"mimeType", "video/H264"},
+        {"parameters", {{"profile-level-id", "42001f"}, {"packetization-mode", 1}}}}, Json{{"mimeType", "video/H264"},
+        {"parameters", {{"profile-level-id", "42e01f"}, {"packetization-mode", 1}}}}, Json{{"mimeType", "video/H264"},
+        {"parameters", {{"profile-level-id", "4d003c"}, {"packetization-mode", 1}}}}})}};
+    const auto accepts = [](const auto& format) { return ReceiverLevel(format, false, true).has_value(); };
+    check(peer_detail::SelectScreenSendCodec(router, accepts) == router["codecs"][1],
+        "The SFU must select the router's Constrained Baseline, whose Level 3.1 is only a default");
+    rejects([&] { [[maybe_unused]] EncodedVideoContext invalid(52, true, true); });
+    const EncodedConfiguration video{1920, 1080, 60, false, true};
+    auto state = std::make_shared<State>(1, "compatible-source", false, [](std::string_view, Json) { return true; }, video);
+    check(state->Snapshot().at("kind") == "encoded-h264-cb" && state->Snapshot().at("maximumProfileLevelId") == "42e03c",
+        "The compatible source must describe its Constrained Baseline");
+  }
   rejects([&] { CreateEncodedVideoFactory(50); });
   rejects([&] { CreateEncodedVideoFactory(61); });
   const auto verify_rate_estimate = [&](double fps, bool valid, std::uint32_t maximum_kbps = 20000) {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_internal.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_internal.h
index 2866863d..15fb90b3 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_internal.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/encoded_video_internal.h
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ struct State : std::enable_shared_from_this<State> {
   explicit State(std::uint64_t source, std::string group, bool initially_enabled,
                  std::function<bool(std::string_view, Json)> event, EncodedConfiguration configuration = {})
       : id(source), sync_group(std::move(group)), video(configuration), enabled(initially_enabled), emit(std::move(event)),
-        stream(video.width, video.height, MinimumEncodedLevel(video), sv::H264Profile::Main,
+        stream(video.width, video.height, MinimumEncodedLevel(video),
+               video.compatible ? sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline : sv::H264Profile::Main,
                sv::H264LevelPolicy::Maximum) {}
 
   bool Event(std::string_view type, Json data) noexcept {
@@ -198,9 +199,9 @@ struct State : std::enable_shared_from_this<State> {
   void Retired(const Token& token) noexcept;
   Json Snapshot() const {
     std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
-    return {{"kind", video.av1 ? "encoded-av1" : "encoded-h264"}, {"width", video.width}, {"height", video.height}, {"requestedFps", video.fps},
+    return {{"kind", video.av1 ? "encoded-av1" : video.compatible ? "encoded-h264-cb" : "encoded-h264"}, {"width", video.width}, {"height", video.height}, {"requestedFps", video.fps},
       {"profileLevelId", stream.Verified() ? Json(stream.Sps().ProfileLevelId()) : Json(nullptr)},
-      {"maximumProfileLevelId", video.av1 ? Json(nullptr) : Json("4d003c")},
+      {"maximumProfileLevelId", video.av1 ? Json(nullptr) : Json(video.compatible ? "42e03c" : "4d003c")},
       {"av1SequenceLevel", video.av1 && admitted ? Json(av1_level) : Json(nullptr)}, {"sourceId", id}, {"syncGroup", sync_group},
       {"enabled", enabled.load()}, {"paused", paused}, {"closed", closed.load()}, {"failed", failed.load()},
       {"admitted", admitted}, {"published", published}, {"released", released},
@@ -362,7 +363,8 @@ class Encoder final : public webrtc::VideoEncoder {
         initial_bitrate = codec->active ? codec->startBitrate * 1000 : 0;
         maximum_bitrate = codec->maxBitrate ? codec->maxBitrate * 1000 : kEncodedBitrateCeiling;
       } else {
-        const auto setup = policy::MakeEncoderSetup(*codec, settings, {sv::H264Profile::Main, negotiated_level_}, 8);
+        const auto setup = policy::MakeEncoderSetup(*codec, settings, {state_->video.compatible
+            ? sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline : sv::H264Profile::Main, negotiated_level_}, 8);
         initial_bitrate = setup.initial_bitrate;
         maximum_bitrate = setup.maximum_bitrate;
       }
@@ -554,9 +556,11 @@ class Encoder final : public webrtc::VideoEncoder {
 
 class EncodedVideoContext {
  public:
-  explicit EncodedVideoContext(std::uint8_t level, bool is_av1 = false) : maximum_level(level), av1(is_av1) {
+  explicit EncodedVideoContext(std::uint8_t level, bool is_av1 = false, bool is_compatible = false)
+      : maximum_level(level), av1(is_av1), compatible(is_compatible) {
     encoded::Require(level == 51 || level == 52 || level == 60,
-        "External H264 requires a Main5.1, Main5.2 or Main6 ceiling");
+        "External H264 requires a Level 5.1, 5.2 or 6 ceiling");
+    encoded::Require(!av1 || !compatible, "The compatible format is H264, not AV1");
   }
   void ValidateSource(const encoded::EncodedConfiguration& video) const {
     if (!av1 && encoded::MinimumEncodedLevel(video) > maximum_level)
@@ -567,6 +571,7 @@ class EncodedVideoContext {
   bool Admits(std::uint8_t receiver_level) const { return av1 || receiver_level >= maximum_level; }
   const std::uint8_t maximum_level;
   const bool av1;
+  const bool compatible;
   std::mutex mutex;
   std::weak_ptr<encoded::State> source;
 };
@@ -580,10 +585,11 @@ class Factory final : public webrtc::VideoEncoderFactory {
     if (context_->av1) return {policy::ScreenAv1Format()};
     // WebRTC caches these formats before a source exists. Never change them after startup.
     auto formats = policy::SupportedFormats(context_->maximum_level);
-    std::erase_if(formats, [](const auto& format) {
+    const auto profile = context_->compatible ? sv::H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline : sv::H264Profile::Main;
+    std::erase_if(formats, [profile](const auto& format) {
       const auto parsed = policy::ParseFormat(format, kEncodedH264Level);
       Require(parsed.has_value(), "Internal H264 capability is invalid");
-      return parsed->profile != sv::H264Profile::Main;
+      return parsed->profile != profile;
     });
     return formats;
   }
@@ -591,7 +597,7 @@ class Factory final : public webrtc::VideoEncoderFactory {
                                  std::optional<std::string> scalability) const override {
     std::lock_guard lock(context_->mutex);
     const auto source = context_->source.lock();
-    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, context_->av1);
+    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, context_->av1, context_->compatible);
     return {level && (source ? source->Serves(*level) : context_->Admits(*level)) &&
         (!scalability || *scalability == "L1T1"), false};
   }
@@ -599,7 +605,7 @@ class Factory final : public webrtc::VideoEncoderFactory {
                                               const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format) override {
     std::lock_guard lock(context_->mutex);
     auto source = context_->source.lock();
-    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, context_->av1);
+    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, context_->av1, context_->compatible);
     if (!source || source->stopping.load() || !level || !source->Serves(*level)) {
       RTC_LOG(LS_ERROR) << "Encoded video requires a live source and a receiver supporting its actual level L1T1";
       return nullptr;
@@ -633,7 +639,7 @@ class Source final : public VideoSource {
   const std::string& SyncGroup() const override { return state_->sync_group; }
   bool Enabled() const override { return state_->enabled.load() && !state_->stopping.load() && !state_->failed.load(); }
   bool AcceptsSendCodec(const webrtc::SdpVideoFormat& format) const override {
-    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, state_->video.av1);
+    const auto level = ReceiverLevel(format, state_->video.av1, state_->video.compatible);
     return level && state_->Serves(*level);
   }
   void SetEnabled(bool enabled) override {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/engine.cc b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/engine.cc
index a76adcb0..9043be2e 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/engine.cc
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/engine.cc
@@ -141,8 +141,10 @@ struct Frame {
 
 class Engine final : public Host, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Engine> {
  public:
-  Engine(MonkyEngineOptions options, MonkyEngineCallbacks callbacks, bool encoded_input = false, bool av1 = false)
-      : options_(options), encoded_input_(encoded_input), av1_(av1), callbacks_(callbacks), resources_(options.max_resources),
+  Engine(MonkyEngineOptions options, MonkyEngineCallbacks callbacks, bool encoded_input = false, bool av1 = false,
+         bool compatible = false)
+      : options_(options), encoded_input_(encoded_input), av1_(av1), compatible_(compatible), callbacks_(callbacks),
+        resources_(options.max_resources),
         receive_routes_(std::size_t(options.max_resources) * receiver_policy::kMaxReceiverHistory) {}
   ~Engine() override {
     if (actor_.joinable()) actor_.join();
@@ -553,7 +555,7 @@ class Engine final : public Host, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Engine> {
                   {"closed", done_}, {"ready", ready_ && !closing_}, {"resources", resources_.Size()},
                   {"pendingOperations", operations_.size()}, {"pendingServerRequests", replies_.size()},
                   {"contractRevision", MONKY_ENGINE_CONTRACT_REVISION},
-                  {"videoInput", encoded_input_ ? (av1_ ? "encoded-av1" : "encoded-h264") : "nv12"},
+                  {"videoInput", encoded_input_ ? (av1_ ? "encoded-av1" : compatible_ ? "encoded-h264-cb" : "encoded-h264") : "nv12"},
                   {"activeReceiverRoutes", receive_routes_.Size()},
                   {"decodedFrames", frames_.size()}, {"droppedFrames", dropped_frames_.load()},
                   {"rejectedDecodedFrames", received_failures_.Rejected()},
@@ -740,7 +742,7 @@ class Engine final : public Host, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Engine> {
     std::unique_ptr<webrtc::FieldTrialsView> video_field_trials =
         webrtc::FieldTrials::Create("WebRTC-Dav1dDecoder-CropToRenderResolution/Enabled/");
     if (encoded_input_) {
-      auto external = CreateEncodedVideoFactory(options.maximum_h264_level, av1_);
+      auto external = CreateEncodedVideoFactory(options.maximum_h264_level, av1_, compatible_);
       encoded_context_ = std::move(external.context);
       bundle.encoder_factory = std::move(external.encoder_factory);
       video_field_trials = std::move(external.field_trials);
@@ -1231,6 +1233,7 @@ class Engine final : public Host, public std::enable_shared_from_this<Engine> {
   const MonkyEngineOptions options_;
   const bool encoded_input_;
   const bool av1_;
+  const bool compatible_;
 #if defined(_WIN32)
   CpuFrameUpload cpu_frame_upload_;
 #endif
@@ -1358,7 +1361,7 @@ extern "C" MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_request(
 }
 static MonkyEngineStatus CreateEncodedEngine(
     const MonkyEngineOptions* options, const MonkyEngineCallbacks* callbacks,
-    MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error, bool av1) noexcept {
+    MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error, bool av1, bool compatible = false) noexcept {
   if (engine) *engine = nullptr;
   return Boundary(error, [&] {
     if (!engine || !options || !callbacks || callbacks->struct_size != sizeof(*callbacks) ||
@@ -1370,7 +1373,7 @@ static MonkyEngineStatus CreateEncodedEngine(
           "External H264 engine requires at least Main Level 5.1; its fixed ceiling must cover the source",
           MONKY_ENGINE_UNSUPPORTED);
     auto result = std::make_unique<MonkyRtcEngine>();
-    result->state = std::make_shared<rtc::Engine>(*options, *callbacks, true, av1);
+    result->state = std::make_shared<rtc::Engine>(*options, *callbacks, true, av1, compatible);
     result->state->Start();
     *engine = result.release();
   });
@@ -1385,6 +1388,11 @@ extern "C" MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_create_en
     MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error) noexcept {
   return CreateEncodedEngine(options, callbacks, engine, error, true);
 }
+extern "C" MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded_compatible(
+    const MonkyEngineOptions* options, const MonkyEngineCallbacks* callbacks,
+    MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error) noexcept {
+  return CreateEncodedEngine(options, callbacks, engine, error, false, true);
+}
 extern "C" MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_respond(
     MonkyRtcEngine* engine, uint64_t id, const char* json, uint32_t bytes, MonkyEngineError* error) noexcept {
   return Boundary(error, [&] { State(engine).Respond(id, rtc::Parse(json, bytes)); });
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/monky_rtc_engine.h b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/monky_rtc_engine.h
index 7cc34017..77a401e5 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/monky_rtc_engine.h
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/monky_rtc_engine.h
@@ -179,6 +179,11 @@ MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded_av1(
     const MonkyEngineOptions* options, const MonkyEngineCallbacks* callbacks,
     MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error) MONKY_ENGINE_NOEXCEPT;
 
+// External H.264 in Constrained Baseline, the compatible format every browser decodes (#858).
+MONKY_ENGINE_API MonkyEngineStatus __cdecl monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded_compatible(
+    const MonkyEngineOptions* options, const MonkyEngineCallbacks* callbacks,
+    MonkyRtcEngine** engine, MonkyEngineError* error) MONKY_ENGINE_NOEXCEPT;
+
 // IDs are caller-selected nonzero safe JS integers. Do not reuse a request ID
 // before its completion event has been consumed.
 // OK acknowledges admission only. operation events report actual completion.
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/node/napi_engine.cc b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/node/napi_engine.cc
index d2d89928..fa72526e 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/node/napi_engine.cc
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/engine/node/napi_engine.cc
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ uint32_t Option(napi_env env, napi_value options, const char* name, uint32_t fal
                                        "Numeric engine options must be positive uint32 safe integers"));
 }
 
-MonkyEngineOptions Options(napi_env env, napi_value object, bool& encoded, bool& av1) {
+MonkyEngineOptions Options(napi_env env, napi_value object, bool& encoded, bool& av1, bool& compatible) {
   Record(env, object, "options must be an object");
   constexpr std::array<const char*, 7> names{
       "maxResources", "maxPendingOperations", "maxDecodedFrames",
@@ -176,9 +176,10 @@ MonkyEngineOptions Options(napi_env env, napi_value object, bool& encoded, bool&
   options.maximum_h264_level = Option(env, object, "maximumH264Level", 60);
   if (Has(env, object, "videoInput")) {
     const auto input = String(env, Get(env, object, "videoInput"), 1, 16, "Invalid videoInput");
-    if (input != "nv12" && input != "encoded-h264" && input != "encoded-av1")
-      Invalid(env, "videoInput must be nv12, encoded-h264 or encoded-av1");
+    if (input != "nv12" && input != "encoded-h264" && input != "encoded-h264-cb" && input != "encoded-av1")
+      Invalid(env, "videoInput must be nv12, encoded-h264, encoded-h264-cb or encoded-av1");
     av1 = input == "encoded-av1";
+    compatible = input == "encoded-h264-cb";
     encoded = input != "nv12";
   }
   if (options.max_resources > 64 || options.max_pending_operations > 128 ||
@@ -262,8 +263,8 @@ napi_value CreateEngine(napi_env env, napi_callback_info info) {
     Arguments<2> args(env, info);
     // Inert DLL negotiation precedes option getters, async state and creation.
     RequireContract(env);
-    bool encoded = false, av1 = false;
-    const auto options = Options(env, args.values[0], encoded, av1);
+    bool encoded = false, av1 = false, compatible = false;
+    const auto options = Options(env, args.values[0], encoded, av1, compatible);
     if (Type(env, args.values[1]) != napi_function) Invalid(env, "onEvent must be a function");
     auto state = std::make_shared<State>(env, options);
     try {
@@ -276,6 +277,7 @@ napi_value CreateEngine(napi_env env, napi_callback_info info) {
       MonkyEngineError error = EmptyError();
       MonkyRtcEngine* engine = nullptr;
       const auto status = av1 ? monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded_av1(&options, &callbacks, &engine, &error)
+          : compatible ? monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded_compatible(&options, &callbacks, &engine, &error)
           : encoded ? monky_rtc_engine_create_encoded(&options, &callbacks, &engine, &error)
                                   : monky_rtc_engine_create(&options, &callbacks, &engine, &error);
       {
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/native_core/h264_bitstream.cc b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/native_core/h264_bitstream.cc
index 91b4a57a..4fadd49c 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/native_core/h264_bitstream.cc
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/src/rtc/inputs/native_core/h264_bitstream.cc
@@ -272,7 +272,14 @@ std::vector<std::span<const std::uint8_t>> H264Bitstream::Split(std::span<const
 void H264Bitstream::Remember(std::span<const std::uint8_t> nal) {
   if (nal.size() > maxParameterBytes) throw std::runtime_error("H264 parameter set is too large");
   if (Type(nal) == 7) {
-    auto sps = ParseH264Sps(nal);
+    std::vector<std::uint8_t> stored(nal.begin(), nal.end());
+    // A Baseline stream without slice groups or redundant pictures (checked on its PPS) is Constrained
+    // Baseline even when the encoder leaves constraint_set1 clear (H.264 A.2.1, #858). The compatible format
+    // declares it, so receivers that admit only Constrained Baseline accept it. The byte follows profile_idc
+    // (never zero), so no emulation prevention depends on it.
+    if (profile_ == H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline && stored.size() > 3 && stored[1] == 66)
+      stored[2] = static_cast<std::uint8_t>(stored[2] | 0x40u);
+    auto sps = ParseH264Sps(stored);
     const bool levelMatches = levelPolicy_ == H264LevelPolicy::Exact
         ? sps.levelIdc == level_
         : sps.levelIdc <= level_ && H264LevelMaxBitrate(sps.levelIdc) > 0;
@@ -281,7 +288,7 @@ void H264Bitstream::Remember(std::span<const std::uint8_t> nal) {
       throw std::runtime_error("SPS profile/level/geometry does not match the requested encoder mode");
     }
     sps_ = sps;
-    spsById_[sps.id] = {nal.begin(), nal.end()};
+    spsById_[sps.id] = std::move(stored);
     verified_ = true;
   } else if (Type(nal) == 8) {
     Bits bits(nal);
@@ -291,6 +298,15 @@ void H264Bitstream::Remember(std::span<const std::uint8_t> nal) {
     if (bits.Read(1) && profile_ != H264Profile::Main && profile_ != H264Profile::AnySupported) {
       throw std::runtime_error("CABAC is not permitted in H264 Baseline");
     }
+    if (profile_ == H264Profile::ConstrainedBaseline) {
+      bits.Read(1);
+      if (bits.Ue() != 0) throw std::runtime_error("Slice groups are not permitted in H264 Constrained Baseline");
+      bits.Ue(); bits.Ue();
+      if (bits.Read(1) || bits.Read(2)) throw std::runtime_error("Weighted prediction is not permitted in H264 Baseline");
+      bits.Se(); bits.Se(); bits.Se();
+      bits.Read(1); bits.Read(1);
+      if (bits.Read(1)) throw std::runtime_error("Redundant pictures are not permitted in H264 Constrained Baseline");
+    }
     ppsById_[ppsId] = {nal.begin(), nal.end()};
   }
   std::size_t total = 0;
@@ -380,7 +396,10 @@ H264AccessUnit H264Bitstream::Convert(std::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes) {
   }
   for (const auto nal : nals) {
     const auto type = Type(nal);
-    if (type != 9 && !(result.keyFrame && (type == 7 || type == 8))) Append(result.data, nal);
+    if (type == 9 || (result.keyFrame && (type == 7 || type == 8))) continue;
+    // An SPS goes out as remembered: the compatible format's declares Constrained Baseline.
+    if (type == 7) Append(result.data, spsById_.at(ParseH264Sps(nal).id));
+    else Append(result.data, nal);
   }
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/capturePlatforms.test.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/capturePlatforms.test.cjs
index ed0b7cb9..36776201 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/capturePlatforms.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/capturePlatforms.test.cjs
@@ -152,6 +152,47 @@ test('capture scaling is explicit, defaults to stretch and cannot silently chang
     assert.throws(() => protocol.validateVideo({ ...video, scaleMode }));
 });
 
+test('the compatible format encodes Constrained Baseline only on an explicit H.264 encoder, and the host cannot relabel it (#858)', async () => {
+  for (const encoder of ['h264_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_h264_tex', 'obs_x264']) {
+    const baseline = message(windowTarget, encoder);
+    baseline.configuration = protocol.configuration(video, encoder, 'window', 'constrained-baseline');
+    assert.equal(baseline.configuration.profile, 'constrained-baseline');
+    const expected = { source: windowTarget, video, runId, helperProcessId: 42, encoder, h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline' };
+    protocol.validateMessage(baseline, expected);
+    // A host that kept Main, or a Main share the host relabels, is refused.
+    assert.throws(() => protocol.validateMessage(message(windowTarget, encoder), expected));
+    assert.throws(() => protocol.validateMessage(baseline, { ...expected, h264Profile: 'main' }));
+  }
+  for (const encoder of ['av1_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_av1_tex', 'monky_aom_av1'])
+    assert.throws(() => protocol.configuration(video, encoder, 'window', 'constrained-baseline'), /Constrained Baseline/);
+  assert.throws(() => protocol.configuration(video, 'obs_x264', 'window', 'high'), /Unknown H.264/);
+  const options = (encoder, h264Profile) => ({
+    host: { kind: 'verified-native-screen-capture-host', executable: path.resolve('host.exe'), sha256: 'a'.repeat(64) },
+    runtime: { kind: 'verified-stock-obs-runtime', version: '32.1.1', stockDirectory: path.resolve('obs'), binaryDirectory: path.resolve('obs') },
+    runId, runDirectory: path.resolve(`monky-screen-capture-${runId}`), video, encoder, h264Profile,
+    onError() {}, onPacket() {}, onNotice() {},
+  });
+  for (const encoder of ['auto', 'monky_aom_av1'])
+    assert.throws(() => new CaptureBridge(options(encoder, 'constrained-baseline')), /explicit H.264 encoder/);
+  let args = null;
+  const child = new EventEmitter();
+  child.pid = 42; child.stdout = new PassThrough(); child.stderr = new PassThrough();
+  child.stdin = new Writable({ write(_bytes, _encoding, done) { done(); } });
+  child.stdio = [child.stdin, child.stdout, child.stderr, new PassThrough(), new Writable({ write(_bytes, _encoding, done) { done(); } })];
+  const bridge = new CaptureBridge(options('obs_x264', 'constrained-baseline'), {
+    spawnProcess(_executable, spawned) {
+      args = spawned;
+      const prepared = message(windowTarget, 'obs_x264');
+      prepared.configuration = protocol.configuration({ ...video, scaleMode: 'stretch' }, 'obs_x264', 'window', 'constrained-baseline');
+      queueMicrotask(() => child.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(prepared) + '\n'));
+      return child;
+    },
+  });
+  await bridge.prepare(windowTarget);
+  assert.ok(args.includes('--h264-profile=constrained-baseline') && args.includes('--encoder=obs_x264'));
+  child.emit('exit', 0, null); child.emit('close', 0, null);
+});
+
 test('a renamed window keeps its share while another window class or executable is rejected', () => {
   for (const target of [windowTarget, gameTarget]) {
     const prepared = message(target, 'h264_texture_amf');
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/macCaptureBridge.test.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/macCaptureBridge.test.cjs
index 287340b7..bf43259d 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/macCaptureBridge.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/macCaptureBridge.test.cjs
@@ -152,3 +152,31 @@ test('macOS retirement proof belongs to the original bridge, not a snapshot, met
   assert.equal(f.owner.exited, false, 'Releasing a lease must not terminate another owner of the helper.');
   await originalClose();
 });
+
+test('the compatible format asks VideoToolbox for Constrained Baseline and refuses anything else (#858)', async () => {
+  for (const profileLevelId of ['42e033', '424033']) {
+    const f = fixture({ probe: { profileLevelId } });
+    const bridge = new MacCaptureBridge({ ...f.options, h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline' }, f.dependencies);
+    await bridge.prepare(target);
+    await bridge.start(target);
+    for (const method of ['media.probe', 'media.start'])
+      assert.equal(f.requests.find(request => request.method === method).data.video.h264Profile, 'constrained-baseline');
+    await bridge.stop();
+  }
+  // A Main or plain Baseline stream is not the compatible format.
+  for (const profileLevelId of ['4d002a', '420033']) {
+    const f = fixture({ probe: { profileLevelId } });
+    const bridge = new MacCaptureBridge({ ...f.options, h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline' }, f.dependencies);
+    await assert.rejects(bridge.prepare(target), /Constrained Baseline/);
+    await bridge.stop();
+  }
+  // Main keeps the original request, without a profile field the host would not know.
+  const main = fixture();
+  const bridge = new MacCaptureBridge(main.options, main.dependencies);
+  await bridge.prepare(target);
+  assert.equal(Object.hasOwn(main.requests.find(request => request.method === 'media.probe').data.video, 'h264Profile'), false);
+  await bridge.stop();
+  const av1 = fixture();
+  assert.throws(() => new MacCaptureBridge({ ...av1.options, encoder: 'monky_aom_av1', h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline' },
+    av1.dependencies), /Only H.264/);
+});
diff --git a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/nativeEndpointOwnership.test.cjs b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/nativeEndpointOwnership.test.cjs
index 4d9c30b3..9e242c85 100644
--- a/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/nativeEndpointOwnership.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/native/screen-share/test/nativeEndpointOwnership.test.cjs
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ const { decoderFailureObservations } = require('../runtime/nativeVideoDiagnostic
 function fixture({ incomplete = false, role = 'receive', mode = 'p2p', audio = false,
   target = { hwnd: 12345, expectedProcessId: 56789 }, captureEncoder = 'auto', captureModule, preserveAspectRatio,
   video = { width: 1920, height: 1080, fps: 120, maxBitrateKbps: 20000 }, quality = 'source',
-  captureRuntime = {}, captureDirectory = path.resolve(__dirname, 'modeled-capture'), timers, send = async () => {} } = {}) {
+  captureRuntime = {}, captureDirectory = path.resolve(__dirname, 'modeled-capture'), timers, send = async () => {}, h264Profile,
+  codec } = {}) {
   let finish, closeCalls = 0, engineOptions;
   const contract = require('../runtime/nativeRtc/engine/contract.json');
   const capabilities = { abiVersion: contract.abiVersion, contractRevision: contract.contractRevision,
@@ -45,9 +46,9 @@ function fixture({ incomplete = false, role = 'receive', mode = 'p2p', audio = f
     textures: { importSharedTexture() {}, sendSharedTexture() {} },
     role, mode, sessionId: role === 'publish' ? 'publisher' : 'viewer', publisherSessionId: 'publisher', channelId: 'channel',
     pipelineId: randomUUID(), source: { shareId: 'screen', instanceId: randomUUID(), audio,
-      video },
+      video, ...(codec ? { codec } : {}) },
     quality, destination: { frame, presentationId: randomUUID() },
-    target, captureEncoder, preserveAspectRatio, captureDirectory,
+    target, captureEncoder, preserveAspectRatio, captureDirectory, ...(h264Profile ? { h264Profile } : {}),
     ...(audio ? { audio: { sinkId: '', muted: true, volume: 0, maxBitrateBps: 128000,
       captureModule: captureModule ?? { createPacketCapture() { assert.fail('Preview-only demand cannot capture PCM.'); } },
       output: { webContents, frame, expectedUrl: frame.url,
@@ -80,6 +81,26 @@ test('publisher fixes its H264 ceiling before engine startup and source creation
   }
 });
 
+test('the compatible format starts a Constrained Baseline engine, and only for H.264 (#858)', async () => {
+  for (const mode of ['p2p', 'sfu']) {
+    const f = fixture({ mode, role: 'publish', h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline', captureEncoder: 'obs_x264' });
+    try {
+      assert.equal(f.engineOptions.videoInput, 'encoded-h264-cb');
+      assert.equal(f.endpoint.h264Profile, 'constrained-baseline');
+      await f.endpoint.ready;
+    } finally {
+      f.finish({ closed: true });
+      await f.endpoint.close();
+    }
+    const main = fixture({ mode, role: 'publish', h264Profile: 'main' });
+    try { assert.equal(main.engineOptions.videoInput, 'encoded-h264'); }
+    finally { main.finish({ closed: true }); await main.endpoint.close(); }
+  }
+  assert.throws(() => fixture({ role: 'publish', h264Profile: 'high' }), /Unknown H.264/);
+  assert.throws(() => fixture({ role: 'publish', h264Profile: 'constrained-baseline', codec: 'av1',
+    captureEncoder: 'monky_aom_av1' }), /no H.264 profile/);
+});
+
 test('a lower-quality rendition of a Main6 source starts its own Main5.1 factory', async () => {
   for (const mode of ['p2p', 'sfu']) {
     for (const quality of ['1080p60', '720p60', '480p30']) {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreen/encoderDiscovery.ts b/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreen/encoderDiscovery.ts
index b432c89d..89b23042 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreen/encoderDiscovery.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreen/encoderDiscovery.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import {
   type ScreenEncodingAvailability, type ScreenEncodingSelection,
 } from '@monky/shared';
 import type {
-  CaptureBridge, NativeScreenCaptureCapability, NativeScreenCaptureTarget, NativeScreenRuntime,
+  CaptureBridge, NativeScreenCaptureCapability, NativeScreenCaptureTarget, NativeScreenH264Profile, NativeScreenRuntime,
 } from '@monky/screen-share';
 import { canonicalDirectory, samePath } from '../canonicalDirectory';
 import { isRecord } from '../ipc/guards';
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ export class SelectedCaptureProbe {
   }
 
   async prepare(target: NativeScreenCaptureTarget, video: NativeScreenVideoProfile,
-    signal: AbortSignal, encoding: ScreenEncodingSelection, preserveAspectRatio = true): Promise<NativeScreenCaptureCapability> {
+    signal: AbortSignal, encoding: ScreenEncodingSelection, preserveAspectRatio = true,
+    h264Profile: NativeScreenH264Profile = 'main'): Promise<NativeScreenCaptureCapability> {
     let capability: NativeScreenCaptureCapability;
     try {
       signal.throwIfAborted();
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ export class SelectedCaptureProbe {
       this.bridge = screenShareModule().createCaptureBridge({
         host: this.runtime.host, runtime: this.runtime.obs, runId: this.runId, runDirectory: this.directory,
         encoder: encoding.encoder, video: { width, height, fps, bitrateKbps: maxBitrateKbps,
-          scaleMode: preserveAspectRatio ? 'fit' : 'stretch' },
+          scaleMode: preserveAspectRatio ? 'fit' : 'stretch' }, ...(encoding.codec === 'h264' ? { h264Profile } : {}),
         onError: error => {
           console.warn('[NativeScreen] Selected-source probe failed:', error);
           this.onError(error);
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ export class EncoderDiscovery {
    */
   encoding(request: ScreenEncodingRequest, signal?: AbortSignal, refresh = false): Promise<ScreenEncodingAvailability> {
     if (this.retirementFailure) return Promise.reject(this.retirementFailure);
-    const { video, mode, codec, strategy, inspectHardware } = request;
+    const { video, mode, codec, strategy, inspectHardware, h264Only = false } = request;
     const abort = signal ? AbortSignal.any([this.abortController.signal, signal]) : this.abortController.signal;
     const remembered = refresh ? null : this.cache.get(request, this.host.displayGeneration());
     if (remembered) return Promise.resolve().then(() => {
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ export class EncoderDiscovery {
           encoder: selection.encoder, codec: selection.codec, encodingMode: selection.mode, refusal: outcome,
           retirementConfirmed: true, continuingHardwareDiscovery: outcome === 'next-candidate',
         }, outcome === 'failed' ? 'WARN' : 'INFO');
-      });
+      }, h264Only);
       this.cache.set(request, displayGeneration, availability, skipped);
       return availability;
     });
diff --git a/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreenSharing.ts b/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreenSharing.ts
index a0bf8372..cd1dc0c5 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreenSharing.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/main/nativeScreenSharing.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { randomUUID } from 'node:crypto';
 import { isDeepStrictEqual } from 'node:util';
 import {
   MessageType, NATIVE_SCREEN_IPC, SCREEN_SHARE_LIMITS, nativeScreenCommandSchema,
-  getScreenShareProfile, nativeScreenFailureReason, nativeScreenProducerSchema, nativeScreenSignalSchema,
+  compatibleScreenProfile, getScreenShareProfile, nativeScreenFailureReason, nativeScreenProducerSchema, nativeScreenSignalSchema,
   type NativeScreenCall, type NativeScreenCapabilities, type NativeScreenCommand, type NativeScreenCommandResult,
   type NativeScreenParticipant, type NativeScreenSignalPayload,
   type NativeScreenSource, type NativeScreenAudioPreferences, type NativeScreenCaptureKind, type NativeScreenVideoProfile,
@@ -162,7 +162,8 @@ class NativeScreenSharingService {
     if (command.action === 'probe-encoding') {
       if (this.shutdownRequested || this.disposal) throw cancelled();
       return { kind: 'encoding', availability: await this.discovery.verify(command.probeId, { video: command.video,
-        mode: command.encodingMode, codec: command.codec, strategy: command.encodingStrategy ?? 'automatic', inspectHardware: true }) };
+        mode: command.encodingMode, codec: command.codec, strategy: command.encodingStrategy ?? 'automatic', inspectHardware: true,
+        h264Only: command.screenFormat === 'compatible' }) };
     }
     if (command.action === 'join') {
       if (this.admissionsFrozen || this.shutdownRequested || this.disposal) throw cancelled();
@@ -427,22 +428,26 @@ class NativeScreenSharingService {
       assertCurrent();
       monitor.assertCurrent();
       stage = 'preflight';
-      this.diagnostics.log('preflight-start', diagnostic);
+      // The compatible format is H.264 Constrained Baseline, which Firefox and Safari decode too (#858).
+      const compatible = command.screenFormat === 'compatible';
+      const h264Profile = compatible ? 'constrained-baseline' as const : 'main' as const;
+      this.diagnostics.log('preflight-start', { ...diagnostic, screenFormat: compatible ? 'compatible' : 'main' });
       const discover = (): Promise<ScreenEncodingAvailability> => this.discovery.encoding({ video: command.video,
         mode: command.encodingMode ?? 'hardware', codec: command.codec ?? 'auto',
-        strategy: command.encodingStrategy ?? 'automatic', inspectHardware: false }, selection.abort.signal);
+        strategy: command.encodingStrategy ?? 'automatic', inspectHardware: false, h264Only: compatible }, selection.abort.signal);
       type Preflight = { video: NativeScreenVideoProfile; proof: NativeScreenCaptureCapability };
       // The selected source proves the chosen encoder with the real target, even when discovery was remembered.
       const prepare = async (encoding: ScreenEncodingAvailability): Promise<Preflight> => {
         assertCurrent();
         if (!encoding.selection) throw new Error(encoding.reason ?? 'No compatible screen encoder is available for this codec and profile.');
-        const video = getScreenShareProfile(command.video, 'source', encoding.selection.codec);
+        const sized = getScreenShareProfile(command.video, 'source', encoding.selection.codec);
+        const video = compatible ? compatibleScreenProfile(sized) : sized;
         diagnostic.video = diagnosticProfile(video);
         selection.probe = new SelectedCaptureProbe(this.nativeRuntime(), captureDirectory,
           error => this.diagnostics.logFailure('preflight', error, undefined, { ...diagnostic, stage: 'preflight' }));
         try {
           return { video, proof: await selection.probe.prepare(target, video, selection.abort.signal, encoding.selection,
-            command.preserveAspectRatio) };
+            command.preserveAspectRatio, h264Profile) };
         } catch (error) {
           // An encoder that fails with the real source makes every remembered discovery suspect.
           if (isScreenEncoderFailure(error)) this.discovery.cache.clear();
@@ -543,6 +548,7 @@ class NativeScreenSharingService {
             source: { ...options.source, codec: source.codec ?? 'h264' },
             onState: state => { observe(state); options.onState(state); },
             publisherSessionId: call.config.sessionId, target: captureTarget, captureDirectory, captureEncoder: proof.encoderId,
+            h264Profile,
             preserveAspectRatio: command.preserveAspectRatio ?? true,
             isSourcePaused: () => monitor.paused,
             assertSourceCurrent: () => {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingCache.ts b/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingCache.ts
index ad335a94..77379f96 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingCache.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingCache.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ export interface ScreenEncodingRequest {
   readonly strategy: ScreenEncodingStrategy;
   /** Whether a software request also reports hardware availability, as Settings asks. */
   readonly inspectHardware: boolean;
+  /** The compatible format (#858): only H.264 encoders, whatever the codec preference. */
+  readonly h264Only?: boolean;
 }
 
 interface Entry {
@@ -107,9 +109,9 @@ export class ScreenEncodingCache {
   }
 }
 
-function cacheKey({ video, mode, codec, strategy, inspectHardware }: ScreenEncodingRequest): string {
+function cacheKey({ video, mode, codec, strategy, inspectHardware, h264Only = false }: ScreenEncodingRequest): string {
   // Automatic discovery ignores dormant manual fields, and hardware discovery always inspects hardware.
   const automatic = strategy === 'automatic';
-  return JSON.stringify([strategy, automatic ? 'hardware' : mode, automatic ? 'auto' : codec,
+  return JSON.stringify([strategy, automatic ? 'hardware' : mode, h264Only ? 'h264' : automatic ? 'auto' : codec,
     automatic || mode === 'hardware' || inspectHardware, video.width, video.height, video.fps, video.maxBitrateKbps]);
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingPolicy.ts b/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingPolicy.ts
index 187757e7..e698487c 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingPolicy.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/main/screenEncodingPolicy.ts
@@ -33,9 +33,12 @@ export async function selectScreenEncoding(
   (selection, _error, outcome) => {
     console.warn(`[ScreenShare] Hardware encoder probe failed (${outcome}):`, selection.encoder);
   },
+  h264Only = false,
 ): Promise<ScreenEncodingAvailability> {
-  if (strategy === 'manual' && preference === 'auto') throw new Error('Manual encoding requires an exact codec.');
+  if (strategy === 'manual' && preference === 'auto' && !h264Only) throw new Error('Manual encoding requires an exact codec.');
   if (strategy === 'automatic') { mode = 'hardware'; preference = 'auto'; }
+  // The compatible format is H.264 Constrained Baseline (#858): AV1 is never a candidate.
+  if (h264Only) preference = 'h264';
   let hardware: ScreenEncodingSelection | null = null;
   let hardwareError = false;
   let hardwareFailure: Error | null = null;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/WebRtcManager.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/WebRtcManager.ts
index 7d2c995f..4abb4858 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/WebRtcManager.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/WebRtcManager.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { appEvents } from './EventBus';
 import type { NetworkClient } from './NetworkClient';
 import type { ParticipantManager } from './ParticipantManager';
 import { callServerOrClosed, captureCall } from './callScope';
+import { createScreenShareStream } from './screenShareStream';
 import { currentEventOrigin, emitOutsideRouting } from './sessionRouting';
 import { clientLog } from './ClientLogService';
 import { settingsStore } from '../stores/settingsStore';
@@ -258,7 +259,7 @@ export class WebRtcManager {
       throw new ScreenShareUserError(t('screenShare.nativeUnavailable'));
     if (!(capabilities.captureKinds ?? (capabilities.capture ? ['window'] : [])).includes(captureKind))
       throw new ScreenShareUserError(t('screenShare.nativeUnavailable'));
-    const stream = new MediaStream();
+    const stream = createScreenShareStream();
     try {
       const source = await this.nativeScreens.addSource({
         shareId: stream.id, desktopSourceId, captureKind, preserveAspectRatio, video, audio, audience,
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenEncoding.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenEncoding.ts
index d56b7432..c89c83da 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenEncoding.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenEncoding.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ export async function probeScreenEncoding(
   try {
     const result = await window.api.nativeScreenCommand({
       action: 'probe-encoding', probeId, video,
-      ...preferences,
+      ...preferences, screenFormat: settingsStore.screenFormat,
     });
     signal.throwIfAborted();
     if (result.kind !== 'encoding') throw new Error('Invalid screen encoder discovery response.');
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenShareStream.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenShareStream.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3d7b4559
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/screenShareStream.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import { screenShareIdSchema } from '@monky/shared';
+
+/**
+ * The stream a local screen share is shown through. Its id names the share everywhere (stores, IPC and the
+ * server), so it must be a valid share id. Firefox names every stream `{uuid}`, braces the rule refuses (#858):
+ * such a stream gets an id of its own, which only the app reads.
+ */
+export function createScreenShareStream(): MediaStream {
+  const stream = new MediaStream();
+  if (!screenShareIdSchema.safeParse(stream.id).success)
+    Object.defineProperty(stream, 'id', { value: crypto.randomUUID(), enumerable: true });
+  return stream;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSfu.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSfu.ts
index 4eaf6cf2..d59e8ba2 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSfu.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSfu.ts
@@ -170,9 +170,10 @@ export class BrowserScreenSfu {
       if (maxReceiveLevel) codec.parameters = { ...codec.parameters, 'max-recv-level': maxReceiveLevel };
     }
     // A screen nobody here can decode is refused when consuming: by the server (no common profile) or by
-    // the browser's own description. Without an H.264 Main receiver that is the codec, not the network.
+    // the browser's own description. Without an H.264 Main receiver that is the codec, not the network;
+    // only a retirement (AbortError) stays what it is.
     const codecRefusal = (error: unknown): unknown => producer.kind === 'video' && !browserReceivesH264Main()
-      && !(error instanceof DOMException)
+      && !(error instanceof Error && error.name === 'AbortError')
       ? new BrowserScreenCodecError(`This browser cannot consume the ${selectedMime} screen: ${String(error)}`) : error;
     const consumed = await rpc<ConsumerResponse | SfuProducerClosedPayload>(MessageType.SFU_CONSUME, {
       channelId: call.channelId, transportId: transport.id, producerId: producer.producerId,
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSubscription.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSubscription.ts
index 0e79fc0d..ea4447fe 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSubscription.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/BrowserScreenSubscription.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import {
 } from '@monky/shared';
 import { BrowserScreenP2p } from './BrowserScreenP2p';
 import { BrowserScreenSfu, type BrowserScreenRpc } from './BrowserScreenSfu';
-import { BrowserScreenCodecError, supportsBrowserScreenCodec } from './browserScreenCodecs';
+import { BrowserScreenCodecError, browserScreenFailureReason, browserScreenRefusal, supportsBrowserScreenCodec } from './browserScreenCodecs';
 
 export interface BrowserScreenSubscriptionOptions {
   call: NativeScreenCall;
@@ -52,23 +52,30 @@ export class BrowserScreenSubscription {
 
   private fail(error: unknown): void {
     if (this.stopping) return;
-    this.options.onUnavailable(error instanceof BrowserScreenCodecError ? 'unsupported' : 'connection-failed');
+    this.options.onUnavailable(browserScreenFailureReason(error));
     this.options.onError(error);
   }
 
   /**
    * The first frame never came. Video that arrived yet never decoded is the browser's decoder refusing the
    * stream (Firefox accepts AV1 in its capability probe and then decodes none of a screen), not the network.
+   * So is a connection that carries media but no video at all, on a browser with no decoder for the codec
+   * the screen is in: it dropped the stream before counting it.
    */
   private async startupExpired(message: string): Promise<void> {
-    let undecoded = false;
+    let undecoded = false, videoPackets = 0, connected = false;
     try {
       (await this.stats())?.forEach(report => {
-        if (report.type === 'inbound-rtp' && report.kind === 'video' && report.packetsReceived > 0 && !report.framesDecoded)
-          undecoded = true;
+        if (report.type === 'inbound-rtp' && report.kind === 'video') {
+          videoPackets += report.packetsReceived ?? 0;
+          if (report.packetsReceived > 0 && !report.framesDecoded) undecoded = true;
+        }
+        if (report.type === 'candidate-pair' && report.state === 'succeeded' && report.bytesReceived > 0) connected = true;
       });
     } catch { /* The stats only refine the reason. */ }
-    this.fail(undecoded ? new BrowserScreenCodecError(`${message} Its video arrived, but this browser decoded none of it.`)
+    const dropped = connected && videoPackets === 0 && browserScreenRefusal(this.options.source.codec ?? 'h264') === 'unwatchable';
+    this.fail(undecoded || dropped ? new BrowserScreenCodecError(`${message} ${undecoded
+      ? 'Its video arrived, but this browser decoded none of it.' : 'The connection works, but this browser kept none of its video.'}`)
       : new Error(message));
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs.ts
index 2170f130..b21c5d99 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,17 @@ import {
   getScreenH264ProfileLevelId, getScreenAv1MinimumLevelIndex, type NativeScreenVideoProfile, type ScreenCodec,
 } from '@monky/shared';
 
-export class BrowserScreenCodecError extends Error {}
+export class BrowserScreenCodecError extends Error {
+  override name = 'BrowserScreenCodecError';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Why a browser receiver failed (#858): a screen it cannot decode is `unsupported`, so the viewer is told the
+ * format and where to watch it; anything else is the connection. Read by name, as the error crosses modules.
+ */
+export function browserScreenFailureReason(error: unknown): 'unsupported' | 'connection-failed' {
+  return error instanceof Error && error.name === 'BrowserScreenCodecError' ? 'unsupported' : 'connection-failed';
+}
 
 const fmtpParameters = (value: string): Record<string, string> => Object.fromEntries(value.split(';').flatMap(part => {
   const at = part.indexOf('=');
@@ -65,15 +75,14 @@ export function browserReceivesScreenCodec(selected: ScreenCodec = 'h264'): bool
 }
 
 /**
- * What to tell a browser about a screen in `codec` it could not decode: `main`, an H.264 Main share it lacks
- * (Firefox, Safari); `switch`, another codec the publisher can change to the H.264 it receives; `codec`, a format
- * it does not decode with nothing to switch to (Firefox and AV1); `null`, nothing codec-specific.
+ * What to tell a browser about a screen in `codec` it could not decode: `unwatchable`, a format it does not
+ * decode (Firefox and Safari facing H.264 Main or AV1), so it watches elsewhere or asks for the compatible
+ * format; `switch`, another codec the publisher can change to the H.264 it receives; `null`, nothing codec-specific.
  */
-export function browserScreenRefusal(codec: ScreenCodec): 'main' | 'switch' | 'codec' | null {
+export function browserScreenRefusal(codec: ScreenCodec): 'unwatchable' | 'switch' | null {
   const main = browserReceivesH264Main();
-  if (codec === 'h264' && !main && browserReceivesScreenCodec('h264')) return 'main';
   if (codec !== 'h264' && main) return 'switch';
-  if (!browserReceivesScreenCodec(codec) || !main) return 'codec';
+  if (!main || !browserReceivesScreenCodec(codec)) return 'unwatchable';
   return null;
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/LocalScreenSources.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/LocalScreenSources.ts
index c1396fbf..7e739d72 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/LocalScreenSources.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/LocalScreenSources.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import { emitOutsideRouting } from '../../sessionRouting';
 import { t } from '../../../i18n';
 import { videoService, type NativeScreenCapture } from '../../VideoService';
 import { settingsStore } from '../../../stores/settingsStore';
-import { platformSupports } from '../../../platform/capabilities';
 import { customVideoFpsLimit } from '../../../utils/qualityProfileLimits';
 import { acceptScreenEncoding } from '../../screenEncoding';
 import {
@@ -18,8 +17,6 @@ import {
 /** Why viewers see a frozen picture of a local source: its window is minimized or hidden, or a browser stopped drawing it. */
 export type NativeScreenSourceWarning = 'hidden' | 'covered';
 
-/** The format a browser publisher encodes in (#858); the desktop chooses its codec through its own settings. */
-const browserFormat = () => platformSupports('browserScreenPicker') ? { browserFormat: settingsStore.browserScreenFormat } : {};
 
 export type SourceInput = Omit<NativeScreenCapture, 'source'> & {
   shareId: string; video: NativeScreenVideoProfile; audio: boolean;
@@ -155,7 +152,7 @@ export class LocalScreenSources {
         desktopSourceId: input.desktopSourceId, video: input.video, audio: input.audio, audioBitrateKbps: input.audioBitrateKbps,
         preserveAspectRatio: input.preserveAspectRatio ?? true,
         encodingMode: settingsStore.screenEncodingMode, codec: settingsStore.preferredScreenCodec,
-        encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy, ...browserFormat(),
+        encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy, screenFormat: settingsStore.screenFormat,
         ...(input.replacesAudioShareIds?.length ? { replacesAudioShareIds: [...input.replacesAudioShareIds] } : {}),
         ...(input.captureKind ? { captureKind: input.captureKind } : {}),
       }).then(result => {
@@ -225,7 +222,7 @@ export class LocalScreenSources {
             preserveAspectRatio: capture.preserveAspectRatio ?? true,
             video, audio, audioBitrateKbps,
             encodingMode: settingsStore.screenEncodingMode, codec: settingsStore.preferredScreenCodec,
-            encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy, ...browserFormat(),
+            encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy, screenFormat: settingsStore.screenFormat,
           });
           this.calls.current(call);
           if (!isCurrentCapture() || previous.removing || call.sources.get(shareId) !== previous) {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/RemoteScreenPresentations.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/RemoteScreenPresentations.ts
index 13b74ed1..a7c16d32 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/RemoteScreenPresentations.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/core/webrtc/nativeScreen/RemoteScreenPresentations.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { voiceStore } from '../../../stores/voiceStore';
 import { resolveAudioOutput } from '../../../utils/audioPreferences';
 import { showInfoToast } from '../../../views/CopyToast';
 import { BrowserScreenSubscription } from '../BrowserScreenSubscription';
+import { browserScreenFailureReason } from '../browserScreenCodecs';
 import type { RemoteMediaRouter } from '../RemoteMediaRouter';
 import {
   announceScreenChange, cancelled, keyOf, messageOf, reportScreenError,
@@ -253,7 +254,8 @@ export class RemoteScreenPresentations {
   public browserFailed(call: Call, entry: Presentation, error: unknown): void {
     if (entry.stopping) return;
     reportScreenError(error);
-    entry.state = { state: 'unavailable', reason: 'connection-failed' };
+    // A codec the browser cannot decode is not the network: the viewer is told the format (#858).
+    entry.state = { state: 'unavailable', reason: browserScreenFailureReason(error) };
     this.rewatch(call).outcome(keyOf(entry.publisherSessionId, entry.source.shareId), entry);
     announceScreenChange();
     void this.stop(call, entry).catch(reportScreenError);
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/en.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/en.ts
index afa69f28..6b920a43 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/en.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/en.ts
@@ -957,14 +957,14 @@ export const en: TranslationMap = {
   'screenShare.nativeReceiverUnavailable': 'The native receiver is unavailable. Monky will not switch to Chromium automatically.',
   'screenShare.nativeReceiverSettingsHint': 'You can select Chromium in Settings → Quality & sharing → Screen reception. Read the limitations before switching, then try watching again.',
   'screenShare.chromiumReceiverSettingsHint': 'You are using the Chromium receiver, which cannot receive AV1 at high-resolution profiles. Select Native in Settings → Quality & sharing → Screen reception and try watching again, or ask the publisher to use H.264.',
-  'screenShare.browserReceiverHint': 'Ask the publisher to use H.264 and try watching again.',
-  'screenShare.browserCannotReceive': 'This browser cannot receive {codec} screens, the format of this share. Watch it in Chrome, Edge or the desktop app.',
-  'screenShare.browserCannotReceiveMain': 'This browser cannot receive this share: it uses H.264 Main, from the desktop app or the web\'s better quality option. Watch it in Chrome, Edge or the desktop app.',
-  'screenShare.browserFormat': 'Video format',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatCompatible': 'Compatible',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatCompatibleDescription': 'H.264 everyone can watch: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and the desktop app. Recommended.',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatMain': 'Better quality',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatMainDescription': 'H.264 Main: a better picture with the same bandwidth. Firefox and Safari cannot watch it.',
+  'screenShare.browserReceiverHint': 'Ask the publisher to use the Compatible format and try watching again.',
+  'screenShare.browserCannotWatch': 'This browser cannot watch this share. Ask the publisher to use the Compatible format, or watch it in Chrome, Edge or the desktop app.',
+  'screenShare.format': 'Video format',
+  'screenShare.formatCompatible': 'Compatible',
+  'screenShare.formatCompatibleDescription': 'Everyone can watch it: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and the desktop app. Recommended.',
+  'screenShare.formatMain': 'Better quality',
+  'screenShare.formatMainDescription': 'A better picture with the same connection, but people on Firefox or Safari cannot watch it.',
+  'settings.screenFormatApply': 'Applies from the next screen share. In the Compatible format, the screen is always sent in H.264.',
   'desktopOnly.badge': 'Desktop',
   'desktopOnly.tooltip': 'Available in the desktop app',
   'desktopOnly.reason.screenShare': 'This browser cannot share screens to Monky. Use Chrome, Edge or Firefox, or the desktop app.',
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/pt-BR.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/pt-BR.ts
index 95a5b8d1..23d848ef 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/pt-BR.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/i18n/locales/pt-BR.ts
@@ -919,14 +919,14 @@ export const ptBR = {
   'screenShare.nativeReceiverUnavailable': 'O receptor nativo não está disponível. Nenhuma troca automática para Chromium será feita.',
   'screenShare.nativeReceiverSettingsHint': 'Você pode selecionar Chromium em Configurações → Qualidade e compartilhamento → Recepção de tela. Leia o aviso de limitações antes de trocar e tente assistir novamente.',
   'screenShare.chromiumReceiverSettingsHint': 'Você está usando o receptor Chromium, que não recebe AV1 em perfis de alta resolução. Selecione Nativo em Configurações → Qualidade e compartilhamento → Recepção de tela e tente assistir novamente, ou peça ao transmissor para usar H.264.',
-  'screenShare.browserReceiverHint': 'Peça a quem está transmitindo para usar H.264 e tente assistir novamente.',
-  'screenShare.browserCannotReceive': 'Este navegador não recebe telas em {codec}, o formato desta transmissão. Assista pelo Chrome, pelo Edge ou pelo app desktop.',
-  'screenShare.browserCannotReceiveMain': 'Este navegador não recebe esta transmissão: ela usa H.264 Main, do app desktop ou da opção de melhor qualidade da web. Assista pelo Chrome, pelo Edge ou pelo app desktop.',
-  'screenShare.browserFormat': 'Formato do vídeo',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatCompatible': 'Compatível',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatCompatibleDescription': 'H.264 que todos assistem: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari e o app desktop. Recomendado.',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatMain': 'Melhor qualidade',
-  'screenShare.browserFormatMainDescription': 'H.264 Main: imagem melhor com a mesma banda. O Firefox e o Safari não conseguem assistir.',
+  'screenShare.browserReceiverHint': 'Peça a quem está transmitindo para usar o formato Compatível e tente assistir novamente.',
+  'screenShare.browserCannotWatch': 'Este navegador não consegue assistir a esta transmissão. Peça a quem está transmitindo para usar o formato Compatível, ou assista pelo Chrome, pelo Edge ou pelo app desktop.',
+  'screenShare.format': 'Formato do vídeo',
+  'screenShare.formatCompatible': 'Compatível',
+  'screenShare.formatCompatibleDescription': 'Todo mundo consegue assistir: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari e o app desktop. Recomendado.',
+  'screenShare.formatMain': 'Melhor qualidade',
+  'screenShare.formatMainDescription': 'Imagem melhor com a mesma internet, mas quem usa o Firefox ou o Safari não consegue assistir.',
+  'settings.screenFormatApply': 'Vale a partir do próximo compartilhamento de tela. No formato Compatível, a tela sai sempre em H.264.',
   'desktopOnly.badge': 'Desktop',
   'desktopOnly.tooltip': 'Disponível no app desktop',
   'desktopOnly.reason.screenShare': 'Este navegador não consegue transmitir tela para o Monky. Use o Chrome, o Edge ou o Firefox, ou o app desktop.',
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenPeer.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenPeer.ts
index 48283b49..4fae9236 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenPeer.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenPeer.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { BrowserScreenFormat, NativeScreenCall } from '@monky/shared';
+import type { ScreenFormat, NativeScreenCall } from '@monky/shared';
 import { screenSenderCodecs } from './browserScreenProfile';
 import { sentMediaBinding, withScreenStreamId, type ScreenMediaBinding } from './screenSdp';
 import type { ScreenIceCandidate, ScreenMediaKind, ScreenPeerPort } from './screenP2pPublisherPeer';
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type { ScreenIceCandidate, ScreenMediaKind, ScreenPeerPort } from './scre
 export interface BrowserScreenPeerOptions {
   readonly iceServers: NativeScreenCall['iceServers'];
   /** The only video codecs this connection may send (#858). */
-  readonly format: BrowserScreenFormat;
+  readonly format: ScreenFormat;
   /** The screen's instance: the stream id viewers group its video and sound by. */
   readonly streamId: string;
   readonly video: MediaStreamTrack;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenProfile.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenProfile.ts
index 7093535a..88d24671 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenProfile.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/browserScreenProfile.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import {
-  browserScreenFormatSchema, getScreenShareProfile, nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema,
-  type BrowserScreenFormat, type NativeScreenVideoProfile,
+  screenFormatSchema, getScreenShareProfile, nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema,
+  type ScreenFormat, type NativeScreenVideoProfile,
 } from '@monky/shared';
 
 /** What a captured video track reports of itself (`MediaStreamTrack.getSettings()`). */
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ const fmtp = (codec: CodecCapability, key: string): string | undefined =>
  * Whether a sender codec encodes a browser format (#858): H.264 in non-interleaved mode, as Constrained
  * Baseline (42e0..) for `compatible`, which every receiver decodes, or as Main (4d..) for `main`.
  */
-export function isScreenCodec(codec: CodecCapability, format: BrowserScreenFormat): boolean {
+export function isScreenCodec(codec: CodecCapability, format: ScreenFormat): boolean {
   const profile = format === 'main' ? /^4d[0-9a-f]{4}$/i : /^42e0[0-9a-f]{2}$/i;
   return codec.mimeType.toLowerCase() === 'video/h264' && profile.test(fmtp(codec, 'profile-level-id') ?? '')
     && fmtp(codec, 'packetization-mode') === '1';
@@ -55,13 +55,13 @@ export function isScreenCodec(codec: CodecCapability, format: BrowserScreenForma
  * The video codecs a browser screen sender offers for `format`, in order: the format's codec and its
  * retransmission. An empty list means this browser cannot share in that format.
  */
-export function screenSenderCodecs<T extends CodecCapability>(codecs: readonly T[], format: BrowserScreenFormat): T[] {
+export function screenSenderCodecs<T extends CodecCapability>(codecs: readonly T[], format: ScreenFormat): T[] {
   const matching = codecs.filter(codec => isScreenCodec(codec, format));
   if (!matching.length) return [];
   return [...matching, ...codecs.filter(codec => codec.mimeType.toLowerCase() === 'video/rtx')];
 }
 
 /** The formats this browser can share in, the compatible one first. */
-export function browserScreenFormats(codecs: readonly CodecCapability[]): BrowserScreenFormat[] {
-  return browserScreenFormatSchema.options.filter(format => screenSenderCodecs(codecs, format).length > 0);
+export function browserScreenFormats(codecs: readonly CodecCapability[]): ScreenFormat[] {
+  return screenFormatSchema.options.filter(format => screenSenderCodecs(codecs, format).length > 0);
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenPublisher.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenPublisher.ts
index 13a7db00..6fcf4988 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenPublisher.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenPublisher.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import {
   getScreenShareProfile, nativeScreenFailureReason, nativeScreenSignalSchema, screenShareProfileKey,
   type NativeScreenCall, type NativeScreenFailure, type NativeScreenSignalPayload, type NativeScreenSource,
-  type NativeScreenVideoProfile, type ScreenShareQuality, type BrowserScreenFormat,
+  type NativeScreenVideoProfile, type ScreenShareQuality, type ScreenFormat,
 } from '@monky/shared';
 import { BrowserScreenPeer } from './browserScreenPeer';
 import type { DisplayCapture } from './displayCaptures';
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ export interface WebScreenPublisherOptions {
   readonly call: NativeScreenCall;
   readonly source: NativeScreenSource;
   /** How this screen is encoded; its codec is the source's. */
-  readonly format: BrowserScreenFormat;
+  readonly format: ScreenFormat;
   readonly capture: DisplayCapture;
   readonly audioBitrateKbps: number;
   readonly signal: (signal: NativeScreenSignalPayload) => Promise<void>;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenRuntime.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenRuntime.ts
index 32b61d3b..e666c036 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenRuntime.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenRuntime.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import {
-  SCREEN_SHARE_LIMITS, browserScreenCommandSchema, nativeScreenCallSchema, nativeScreenPresentationSchema,
+  SCREEN_SHARE_LIMITS, browserScreenCommandSchema, compatibleScreenProfile, nativeScreenCallSchema, nativeScreenPresentationSchema,
   nativeScreenSignalSchema, nativeScreenSourceSchema,
   type NativeScreenCall, type NativeScreenCapabilities, type NativeScreenCommandResult, type NativeScreenEvent,
   type NativeScreenParticipant, type NativeScreenPresentation, type NativeScreenSignalPayload, type NativeScreenSource,
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ export class WebScreenRuntime {
     if (command.audio && (!capture.audioTrack || !capabilities.captureAudio))
       throw new Error('The browser did not share sound with this capture.');
     // The compatible format unless the publisher chose a better one this browser encodes; both are H.264.
-    const format = command.browserFormat ?? 'compatible';
+    const format = command.screenFormat ?? 'compatible';
     if (!capabilities.browserFormats?.includes(format)) throw new Error(`This browser cannot share in the ${format} format.`);
     call.admitting.add(command.shareId);
     try {
@@ -251,7 +251,8 @@ export class WebScreenRuntime {
       if (capture.ended) throw sourceLost();
       const source = nativeScreenSourceSchema.parse({
         shareId: command.shareId, instanceId: crypto.randomUUID(),
-        video: browserScreenProfile(command.video, capture.video.getSettings()), audio: command.audio, codec: 'h264',
+        video: format === 'compatible' ? compatibleScreenProfile(browserScreenProfile(command.video, capture.video.getSettings()))
+          : browserScreenProfile(command.video, capture.video.getSettings()), audio: command.audio, codec: 'h264',
       });
       const publisher = new WebScreenPublisher({
         call: call.config, source, format, capture, audioBitrateKbps: command.audioBitrateKbps,
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenSfuRendition.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenSfuRendition.ts
index 8da00b98..64824d45 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenSfuRendition.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenSfuRendition.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { Device, type types as SfuTypes } from 'mediasoup-client';
-import { MessageType, type BrowserScreenFormat, type NativeScreenRendition } from '@monky/shared';
+import { MessageType, type ScreenFormat, type NativeScreenRendition } from '@monky/shared';
 import { isScreenCodec } from './browserScreenProfile';
 
 export type WebScreenRpc = (method: MessageType, payload: Record<string, unknown>) => Promise<unknown>;
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ export type WebScreenRpc = (method: MessageType, payload: Record<string, unknown
 export interface WebScreenSfuRenditionOptions {
   readonly channelId: string;
   readonly shareId: string;
-  readonly format: BrowserScreenFormat;
+  readonly format: ScreenFormat;
   readonly rendition: NativeScreenRendition;
   readonly video: MediaStreamTrack;
   readonly audio: MediaStreamTrack | null;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/stores/settingsStore.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/stores/settingsStore.ts
index fb83c0e9..38db3b67 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/stores/settingsStore.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/stores/settingsStore.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import {
   type BotFormValues,
   type BotLocale,
   type ScreenEncodingMode,
-  type ScreenCodec, type ScreenEncodingStrategy, type BrowserScreenFormat, browserScreenFormatSchema,
+  type ScreenCodec, type ScreenEncodingStrategy, type ScreenFormat, screenFormatSchema,
 } from '@monky/shared';
 import { appEvents } from '../core/EventBus';
 import {
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ import { autoEntryServerKey, restoreAutoEntryServerKeys, type AutoEntryServerAdd
 import { normalizeCustomQualityProfile } from '../utils/qualityProfileLimits';
 import { platformSupports } from '../platform/capabilities';
 
+const defaultScreenFormat = (): ScreenFormat => platformSupports('browserScreenPicker') ? 'compatible' : 'main';
+
 /**
  * Chat-notification-sound mode for the 3-level configuration (#153).
  * - `inherit`: fall back to the next level up (channel → server → global).
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ function savedSettings(store: SettingsStore) {
     screenEncodingMode: store.screenEncodingMode,
     screenEncodingStrategy: store.screenEncodingStrategy,
     preferredScreenCodec: store.preferredScreenCodec,
-    browserScreenFormat: store.browserScreenFormat,
+    screenFormat: store.screenFormat,
     vadSensitivity: store.vadSensitivity,
     inputVolume: store.inputVolume,
     outputVolume: store.outputVolume,
@@ -205,8 +207,8 @@ export class SettingsStore {
   public screenEncodingMode: ScreenEncodingMode = 'hardware';
   public screenEncodingStrategy: ScreenEncodingStrategy = 'automatic';
   public preferredScreenCodec: ScreenCodec = 'h264';
-  /** How the web version encodes the screens it shares (#858): compatible with every viewer by default. */
-  public browserScreenFormat: BrowserScreenFormat = 'compatible';
+  /** The H.264 screens are shared in (#858): every viewer watches the web's by default; the desktop keeps Main. */
+  public screenFormat: ScreenFormat = defaultScreenFormat();
   public customProfile: QualityProfile = { ...DEFAULT_CUSTOM_PROFILE };
   public inputMode: 'voice_activity' | 'push_to_talk' = 'voice_activity'; // #186
   public pttKey: PttKeyBinding = { code: 'KeyV', display: 'V', keyType: 'keyboard', keyCode: 47 };
@@ -330,7 +332,7 @@ export class SettingsStore {
     this.screenEncodingMode = 'hardware';
     this.screenEncodingStrategy = 'automatic';
     this.preferredScreenCodec = 'h264';
-    this.browserScreenFormat = 'compatible';
+    this.screenFormat = defaultScreenFormat();
     this.screenShareReceiver = 'native';
     this.soundboardLimiterEnabled = false;
     this.soundboardLoudnessLimit = 6;
@@ -355,8 +357,9 @@ export class SettingsStore {
         this.qualityPreset = restoreQualityPreset(parsed.qualityPreset);
         this.screenEncodingMode = parsed.screenEncodingMode === 'software' ? 'software' : 'hardware';
         this.preferredScreenCodec = parsed.preferredScreenCodec === 'av1' ? 'av1' : 'h264';
-        const browserFormat = browserScreenFormatSchema.safeParse(parsed.browserScreenFormat);
-        this.browserScreenFormat = browserFormat.success ? browserFormat.data : 'compatible';
+        // v41.5.4 saved the web's choice as browserScreenFormat.
+        const screenFormat = screenFormatSchema.safeParse(parsed.screenFormat ?? parsed.browserScreenFormat);
+        this.screenFormat = screenFormat.success ? screenFormat.data : defaultScreenFormat();
         this.screenEncodingStrategy = parsed.screenEncodingStrategy === 'manual' ? 'manual'
           : parsed.screenEncodingStrategy === undefined
             && (parsed.screenEncodingMode === 'software' || parsed.preferredScreenCodec === 'h264'
@@ -921,8 +924,8 @@ export class SettingsStore {
     catch (error) { this.screenShareReceiver = previous; throw error; }
   }
 
-  public setBrowserScreenFormat(format: BrowserScreenFormat): void {
-    this.browserScreenFormat = browserScreenFormatSchema.parse(format);
+  public setScreenFormat(format: ScreenFormat): void {
+    this.screenFormat = screenFormatSchema.parse(format);
     this.save();
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/ScreenEncodingControls.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/ScreenEncodingControls.ts
index 1c364fb0..ccb29bf8 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/ScreenEncodingControls.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/ScreenEncodingControls.ts
@@ -183,15 +183,19 @@ export class ScreenEncodingControls {
     }, { signal: this.events?.signal });
   }
 
+  // The compatible format is always H.264 (#858): the codec choice waits for the better-quality format.
   private savedPreferences(): ScreenEncodingPreferences {
-    return { encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy,
-      encodingMode: settingsStore.screenEncodingMode, codec: settingsStore.preferredScreenCodec };
+    return { encodingStrategy: settingsStore.screenEncodingStrategy, encodingMode: settingsStore.screenEncodingMode,
+      codec: settingsStore.screenFormat === 'compatible' ? 'h264' : settingsStore.preferredScreenCodec };
   }
 
-  private preferences(): ScreenEncodingPreferences { return this.requested ?? this.savedPreferences(); }
+  private preferences(): ScreenEncodingPreferences {
+    const preferences = this.requested ?? this.savedPreferences();
+    return settingsStore.screenFormat === 'compatible' ? { ...preferences, codec: 'h264' } : preferences;
+  }
 
   private key(profile = this.profile(), preferences = this.preferences()): string {
-    return JSON.stringify([profile, preferences.encodingStrategy,
+    return JSON.stringify([profile, settingsStore.screenFormat, preferences.encodingStrategy,
       ...(preferences.encodingStrategy === 'automatic' ? [] : [preferences.encodingMode, preferences.codec])]);
   }
 
@@ -440,7 +444,8 @@ export class ScreenEncodingControls {
     this.render();
     try {
       for (const mode of ['hardware', 'software'] as const) {
-        for (const codec of ['h264', 'av1'] as const) {
+        // The compatible format has no AV1 to check (#858).
+        for (const codec of settingsStore.screenFormat === 'compatible' ? ['h264'] as const : ['h264', 'av1'] as const) {
           if (!current() || defer()) return;
           if (this.choice(mode, codec)) continue;
           let result: CheckedEncoding;
@@ -499,13 +504,15 @@ export class ScreenEncodingControls {
     }
     const codec = this.container?.querySelector<HTMLSelectElement>('#select-video-codec');
     if (codec) {
-      codec.disabled = unavailable || automatic;
-      codec.setAttribute('aria-readonly', String(unavailable || automatic));
+      const compatible = settingsStore.screenFormat === 'compatible';
+      codec.disabled = unavailable || automatic || compatible;
+      codec.setAttribute('aria-readonly', String(unavailable || automatic || compatible));
       for (const value of ['h264', 'av1'] as const) {
         const option = codec.querySelector<HTMLOptionElement>(`option[value="${value}"]`);
         if (!option) continue;
         const choice = this.choice(preferences.encodingMode, value);
-        option.disabled = !automatic && !!choice && !('error' in choice) && !choice.availability.selection;
+        option.disabled = (compatible && value !== 'h264')
+          || (!automatic && !!choice && !('error' in choice) && !choice.availability.selection);
         const label = t(value === 'av1' ? 'settings.codecAv1' : 'settings.codecH264');
         const explanation = automatic ? '' : this.choiceText(preferences.encodingMode, value, choice);
         option.textContent = !automatic && (!choice || 'error' in choice || !choice.availability.selection)
@@ -514,7 +521,7 @@ export class ScreenEncodingControls {
             ? t('settings.screenEncodingRetry') : t('screenShare.unavailable')}` : label;
         option.title = explanation;
       }
-      codec.value = automatic ? selection?.codec ?? '' : preferences.codec;
+      codec.value = compatible ? 'h264' : automatic ? selection?.codec ?? '' : preferences.codec;
       if (!automatic && codec.querySelector<HTMLOptionElement>(`option[value="${preferences.codec}"]`)?.disabled) codec.value = '';
     }
     for (const mode of ['hardware', 'software'] as const) {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/VoiceStageView.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/VoiceStageView.ts
index fa630164..908c41a8 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/VoiceStageView.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/VoiceStageView.ts
@@ -1225,11 +1225,9 @@ export class VoiceStageView {
     if (state.reason !== 'unsupported') return failure;
     // Choosing the native receiver exists only where the platform has one (the desktop).
     if (platformSupports('nativeScreenAudio')) return `${failure} ${t('screenShare.chromiumReceiverSettingsHint')}`;
-    const codec = webRtcManager.getNativeScreenSource(sessionId, shareId)?.codec ?? 'h264';
-    switch (browserScreenRefusal(codec)) {
-      case 'main': return t('screenShare.browserCannotReceiveMain');
+    switch (browserScreenRefusal(webRtcManager.getNativeScreenSource(sessionId, shareId)?.codec ?? 'h264')) {
+      case 'unwatchable': return t('screenShare.browserCannotWatch');
       case 'switch': return `${failure} ${t('screenShare.browserReceiverHint')}`;
-      case 'codec': return t('screenShare.browserCannotReceive', { codec: codec === 'av1' ? 'AV1' : 'H.264' });
       default: return failure;
     }
   }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/BrowserScreenSharePicker.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/BrowserScreenSharePicker.ts
index a57f3c21..83b568d6 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/BrowserScreenSharePicker.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/BrowserScreenSharePicker.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { PUBLIC_AUDIENCE, browserScreenFormatSchema, type BrowserScreenFormat, type ResourceAudience } from '@monky/shared';
+import { PUBLIC_AUDIENCE, screenFormatSchema, type ScreenFormat, type ResourceAudience } from '@monky/shared';
 import { html, trustedHtml } from '../../utils/html';
 import { appEvents } from '../../core/EventBus';
 import { captureScreenShareCall, screenShareLimit, type ScreenShareCall } from '../../core/screenShareControls';
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import { nativeScreenProfile } from '../../core/webrtc/NativeScreenController';
 import { voiceStore } from '../../stores/voiceStore';
 import { setButtonLoading } from '../../utils/buttonLoading';
 import { openModal, type ModalShell } from '../../utils/modalShell';
-import { renderChoiceCards, renderSwitch, selectChoiceCard, type ChoiceCard } from '../../utils/formControls';
+import { renderChoiceCards, renderSwitch, selectChoiceCard } from '../../utils/formControls';
+import { screenFormatChoice } from './screenFormatChoices';
 import { settingsStore } from '../../stores/settingsStore';
 import { ScreenShareUserError, screenShareFailureMessage } from '../../utils/screenShareFailure';
 import { t } from '../../i18n';
@@ -28,13 +29,6 @@ const SCREEN_AUDIENCE_TEXTS: AudienceTexts = {
   members: 'screenShare.privateUsers', more: 'screenShare.privateMore',
 };
 
-/** Each format a browser shares in, said in its own words: who can watch it is part of the choice. */
-const FORMAT_CHOICES: Readonly<Record<BrowserScreenFormat, () => ChoiceCard<BrowserScreenFormat>>> = {
-  compatible: () => ({ value: 'compatible', icon: 'devices', title: t('screenShare.browserFormatCompatible'),
-    description: t('screenShare.browserFormatCompatibleDescription') }),
-  main: () => ({ value: 'main', icon: 'high_quality', title: t('screenShare.browserFormatMain'),
-    description: t('screenShare.browserFormatMainDescription') }),
-};
 
 function liveScreens(): LiveScreens {
   return {
@@ -58,7 +52,7 @@ export class BrowserScreenSharePicker {
   private capabilitiesKnown = false;
   private available = false;
   /** The formats this browser can share in, the compatible one first. */
-  private formats: readonly BrowserScreenFormat[] = [];
+  private formats: readonly ScreenFormat[] = [];
   private starting = false;
 
   private createAudience(initial: ResourceAudience): ResourceAudiencePicker {
@@ -97,7 +91,7 @@ export class BrowserScreenSharePicker {
           width: profile.width, height: profile.height, fps: profile.fps, bitrate: profile.maxBitrateKbps,
         }) : t('screenShare.nativeProfileChangeBlocked')}</p>
         <div id="share-browser-format" class="share-aspect-option" hidden>
-          <div><span id="share-format-label">${t('screenShare.browserFormat')}</span></div>
+          <div><span id="share-format-label">${t('screenShare.format')}</span></div>
           <div id="share-format-cards"></div>
         </div>
         <div id="share-browser-audio" class="share-aspect-option" hidden>
@@ -148,11 +142,11 @@ export class BrowserScreenSharePicker {
     modal.querySelector('#btn-share')?.addEventListener('click', () => { void this.requestReplace(); }, options);
     modal.querySelector('#btn-share-add')?.addEventListener('click', () => { void this.start('add'); }, options);
     modal.querySelector('#share-format-cards')?.addEventListener('click', event => {
-      const card = event.target instanceof Element ? event.target.closest<HTMLElement>('[data-browser-format]') : null;
-      const format = browserScreenFormatSchema.safeParse(card?.dataset.browserFormat);
+      const card = event.target instanceof Element ? event.target.closest<HTMLElement>('[data-screen-format]') : null;
+      const format = screenFormatSchema.safeParse(card?.dataset.screenFormat);
       if (!card || this.starting || !format.success || !this.formats.includes(format.data)) return;
-      settingsStore.setBrowserScreenFormat(format.data);
-      selectChoiceCard(modal, 'data-browser-format', format.data);
+      settingsStore.setScreenFormat(format.data);
+      selectChoiceCard(modal, 'data-screen-format', format.data);
     }, options);
     this.update();
     appEvents.emit('modal.screenshare_picker_opened');
@@ -181,11 +175,11 @@ export class BrowserScreenSharePicker {
     // A single format leaves nothing to choose.
     section.hidden = this.formats.length < 2;
     if (!this.formats.length) return;
-    if (!this.formats.includes(settingsStore.browserScreenFormat)) settingsStore.setBrowserScreenFormat(this.formats[0]);
+    if (!this.formats.includes(settingsStore.screenFormat)) settingsStore.setScreenFormat(this.formats[0]);
     if (section.hidden) return;
     cards.innerHTML = renderChoiceCards({
-      id: 'share-format-choice', label: t('screenShare.browserFormat'), attribute: 'data-browser-format',
-      selected: settingsStore.browserScreenFormat, choices: this.formats.map(format => FORMAT_CHOICES[format]()),
+      id: 'share-format-choice', label: t('screenShare.format'), attribute: 'data-screen-format',
+      selected: settingsStore.screenFormat, choices: this.formats.map(screenFormatChoice),
     }).toString();
   }
 
@@ -221,7 +215,7 @@ export class BrowserScreenSharePicker {
     modal.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('#btn-share, #btn-share-add').forEach(button => {
       button.disabled = this.starting || !this.available || !this.audience.isValid();
     });
-    modal.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-browser-format]').forEach(card => { card.disabled = this.starting; });
+    modal.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-screen-format]').forEach(card => { card.disabled = this.starting; });
     modal.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('#btn-share')
       ?.setAttribute('aria-haspopup', voiceStore.screenShareIds.length > 1 ? 'menu' : 'false');
   }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/screenFormatChoices.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/screenFormatChoices.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1cdd67fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/screenShare/screenFormatChoices.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import type { ScreenFormat } from '@monky/shared';
+import type { ChoiceCard } from '../../utils/formControls';
+import { t } from '../../i18n';
+
+/**
+ * Each format a screen is shared in (#858), said in its own words: who can watch it is part of the choice.
+ * The web's share dialog and the Quality settings show the same cards.
+ */
+export function screenFormatChoice(format: ScreenFormat): ChoiceCard<ScreenFormat> {
+  return format === 'compatible'
+    ? { value: 'compatible', icon: 'devices', title: t('screenShare.formatCompatible'),
+      description: t('screenShare.formatCompatibleDescription') }
+    : { value: 'main', icon: 'high_quality', title: t('screenShare.formatMain'),
+      description: t('screenShare.formatMainDescription') };
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/settings/tabs/QualityTab.ts b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/settings/tabs/QualityTab.ts
index 75f11da2..ef1ad5c3 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/renderer/views/settings/tabs/QualityTab.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/renderer/views/settings/tabs/QualityTab.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-import { QUALITY_PRESETS, QualityPresetType, QualityProfile, NATIVE_SCREEN_VIDEO_LIMITS, type NativeScreenVideoProfile } from '@monky/shared';
+import {
+  QUALITY_PRESETS, QualityPresetType, QualityProfile, NATIVE_SCREEN_VIDEO_LIMITS, screenFormatSchema, type NativeScreenVideoProfile,
+} from '@monky/shared';
+import { renderChoiceCards, selectChoiceCard } from '../../../utils/formControls';
+import { screenFormatChoice } from '../../screenShare/screenFormatChoices';
 import { settingsStore } from '../../../stores/settingsStore';
 import { webRtcManager } from '../../../core/WebRtcManager';
 import { t, type TranslationKey } from '../../../i18n';
@@ -12,6 +16,7 @@ import { showInfoToast, showSuccessToast } from '../../CopyToast';
 import { ScreenEncodingControls } from '../../ScreenEncodingControls';
 import { nativeScreenProfile } from '../../../core/webrtc/NativeScreenController';
 import { lockedBlock } from '../../../utils/desktopOnly';
+import { platformSupports } from '../../../platform/capabilities';
 import {
   ASPECT_RATIO_GROUPS,
   AUDIO_BITRATE_OPTIONS,
@@ -157,6 +162,12 @@ export class QualityTab {
     // Reopening while a request is still being verified shows that request, not the old value.
     const preset = this.requestedQuality?.preset ?? settingsStore.qualityPreset;
     return `
+      <div class="form-group" data-settings-section="screen-format" data-settings-label="${escapeHtml(t('screenShare.format'))}">
+        <label>${t('screenShare.format')}</label>
+        ${renderChoiceCards({ id: 'screen-format-choice', label: t('screenShare.format'), attribute: 'data-screen-format',
+          selected: settingsStore.screenFormat, choices: screenFormatSchema.options.map(screenFormatChoice) })}
+        <p id="screen-format-apply" class="audio-device-status">${t('settings.screenFormatApply')}</p>
+      </div>
       ${ScreenEncodingControls.html()}
       ${lockedBlock('nativeScreenAudio', 'screenReceiver', `<div data-settings-section="screen-receiver" data-settings-label="${escapeHtml(t('settings.screenReceiverSection'))}" class="form-group">
         <label>${t('settings.screenReceiverSection')}</label>
@@ -426,6 +437,21 @@ export class QualityTab {
     this.appliedEncoding = this.encodingKey();
     this.encoding.attach(container);
     const options = { signal: this.eventController.signal };
+    const formats = container.querySelector<HTMLElement>('#screen-format-choice');
+    formats?.addEventListener('click', event => {
+      const card = event.target instanceof Element ? event.target.closest<HTMLElement>('[data-screen-format]') : null;
+      const format = screenFormatSchema.safeParse(card?.dataset.screenFormat);
+      if (!format.success || card?.hasAttribute('disabled')) return;
+      settingsStore.setScreenFormat(format.data);
+      selectChoiceCard(formats, 'data-screen-format', format.data);
+    }, options);
+    // A browser offers only the formats it encodes (Firefox and Safari have no H.264 Main); the desktop has both.
+    if (platformSupports('browserScreenPicker')) void webRtcManager.getNativeScreenCapabilities().then(capabilities => {
+      if (this.container !== container || !capabilities.browserFormats) return;
+      formats?.querySelectorAll<HTMLButtonElement>('[data-screen-format]').forEach(card => {
+        card.hidden = !capabilities.browserFormats?.some(format => format === card.dataset.screenFormat);
+      });
+    }, (error: unknown) => console.warn('[QualityTab] Screen capabilities are unavailable:', error));
     const nativeReceiver = container.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('#screen-receiver-native');
     const chromiumReceiver = container.querySelector<HTMLButtonElement>('#screen-receiver-chromium');
     for (const receiver of ['native', 'chromium'] as const) {
diff --git a/apps/client/test/browserScreenSubscription.test.cjs b/apps/client/test/browserScreenSubscription.test.cjs
index f76de21a..c1899724 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/browserScreenSubscription.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/test/browserScreenSubscription.test.cjs
@@ -608,3 +608,22 @@ test('an SFU screen Firefox cannot consume is refused as its codec, while a Chro
   for (let i = 0; i < 5 && !chromium.states.length; i++) await tick();
   assert.deepEqual(chromium.states, ['connection-failed']);
 });
+
+for (const [label, receive, reason] of [
+  ['Firefox, which lists no H.264 Main, keeps none of an AV1 screen', [...FIREFOX_CODECS, { mimeType: 'video/AV1', clockRate: 90000, sdpFmtpLine: 'profile=0' }], 'unsupported'],
+  ['Chromium keeps none of an AV1 screen', [...codecs, { mimeType: 'video/AV1', clockRate: 90000, sdpFmtpLine: 'profile=0' }], 'connection-failed'],
+]) {
+  test(`sfu: ${label} over a working connection: ${reason} (#858)`, async t => {
+    // The desktop's AV1 reached Firefox's connection and never became video: that is its decoder, not the network.
+    t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+    const f = fixture(t, { mode: 'sfu', sourceCodec: 'av1', availableCodecs: receive, negotiatedAv1Level: 23 });
+    f.producer('video');
+    await f.open();
+    f.transports[0].consumers[0].getStats = () => Promise.resolve(new Map([
+      ['pair', { type: 'candidate-pair', state: 'succeeded', bytesReceived: 52000 }],
+    ]));
+    t.mock.timers.tick(30000);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 8 && !f.states.length; i++) await tick();
+    assert.deepEqual(f.states, [reason]);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/test/fixtures/screenSharingUiModel.cjs b/apps/client/test/fixtures/screenSharingUiModel.cjs
index 6e6c7e80..62233b44 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/fixtures/screenSharingUiModel.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/test/fixtures/screenSharingUiModel.cjs
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ function fixture(language = 'en') {
   const allowed = new Set([
     'views/ScreenSharePickerModal', 'views/GameCaptureGuideModal', 'views/CopyToast', 'views/settings/tabs/QualityTab', 'views/settings/qualityOptions',
     'views/ScreenEncodingControls', 'core/screenEncoding', 'core/screenShareStart', 'views/screenShare/captureRules',
-    'views/screenShare/extraScreens',
+    'views/screenShare/extraScreens', 'views/screenShare/screenFormatChoices', 'utils/formControls',
     'views/ResourceAudiencePicker',
     'utils/feedback', 'utils/screenShareFailure', 'core/ClientLogService',
     'views/settings/SettingsSectionNavigation', 'i18n/index', 'i18n/locales/en', 'i18n/locales/pt-BR',
diff --git a/apps/client/test/nativeScreenController.test.cjs b/apps/client/test/nativeScreenController.test.cjs
index 932a5874..e3d1e3c3 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/nativeScreenController.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/test/nativeScreenController.test.cjs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const ts = require('typescript');
 const shared = require('@monky/shared');
 const rendererRoot = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', 'src', 'renderer');
 // The controller and its parts under nativeScreen/ run for real; every other renderer module must be modeled.
-const realModules = ['core/webrtc/NativeScreenController', 'core/webrtc/nativeScreen/', 'utils/qualityProfileLimits'];
+const realModules = ['core/webrtc/NativeScreenController', 'core/webrtc/nativeScreen/', 'core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs', 'utils/qualityProfileLimits'];
 const compiledModules = new Map();
 function compileRendererModule(filename) {
   let run = compiledModules.get(filename);
@@ -59,12 +59,12 @@ exports.SourceStartCore = SourceStartCore;`, {
   compilerOptions: { target: ts.ScriptTarget.ES2022, module: ts.ModuleKind.CommonJS },
 }).outputText;
 const compiledStart = vm.runInThisContext(
-  `(function(exports, videoService, settingsStore, nativeScreenProfile, t, MediaStream, ScreenShareUserError) { ${startCompiled}\n})`,
+  `(function(exports, videoService, settingsStore, nativeScreenProfile, t, MediaStream, ScreenShareUserError, createScreenShareStream) { ${startCompiled}\n})`,
   { filename: managerFilename });
 /** Stands in for utils/screenShareFailure: the refusals the renderer explains itself keep their text. */
 class ScreenShareUserError extends Error {}
 const loadStart = (exports, videoService, settingsStore, nativeScreenProfile, t, MediaStream) =>
-  compiledStart(exports, videoService, settingsStore, nativeScreenProfile, t, MediaStream, ScreenShareUserError);
+  compiledStart(exports, videoService, settingsStore, nativeScreenProfile, t, MediaStream, ScreenShareUserError, () => new MediaStream());
 const tick = () => new Promise(resolve => setImmediate(resolve));
 function deferred() {
   let resolve, reject;
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const profile = (width = 1280, height = 720, fps = 60) => ({
 });
 const cancelled = () => new DOMException('Modeled operation was cancelled.', 'AbortError');
 
-function fixture(t, { iceServers = [], receiver = 'native', allowBrowser = false, web = false, commandResult = () => undefined, capabilities = {
+function fixture(t, { iceServers = [], receiver = 'native', allowBrowser = false, commandResult = () => undefined, capabilities = {
   capture: true, captureAudio: true, receive: true, backend: 'libobs-amf', reason: null,
 } } = {}) {
   const appBus = new EventEmitter();
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ function fixture(t, { iceServers = [], receiver = 'native', allowBrowser = false
       getScreenAudioVolume: () => volume, get outputVolume() { return outputVolume; }, screenSharePreviewPauseWhenUnfocused: true,
       getScreenShareReceiver: () => receiver,
       screenEncodingStrategy: 'automatic', screenEncodingMode: 'hardware', preferredScreenCodec: 'h264',
-      browserScreenFormat: 'compatible',
+      screenFormat: 'compatible',
     } },
     'stores/voiceStore': { voiceStore: {
       getScreenWatchers: () => watching ? [['publisher', [remote.shareId]]] : [],
@@ -244,7 +244,6 @@ function fixture(t, { iceServers = [], receiver = 'native', allowBrowser = false
       getScreenQuality: () => quality, getEffectiveDeafened: () => deafened, isScreenAudioMuted: () => muted,
     } },
     'utils/audioPreferences': { resolveAudioOutput: () => 'default' },
-    'platform/capabilities': { platformSupports: feature => web && feature === 'browserScreenPicker' },
     i18n: { t: key => key },
     'core/screenEncoding': { acceptScreenEncoding() {} },
     'views/CopyToast': { showInfoToast: message => { toasts.push(message); } },
@@ -346,6 +345,23 @@ for (const mode of ['p2p', 'sfu']) {
   });
 }
 
+test('a codec refusal that reaches the call is reported as unsupported, not as the connection (#858)', async t => {
+  const f = fixture(t, { receiver: 'chromium', allowBrowser: true });
+  f.context.mode = 'sfu';
+  f.watching(true);
+  await f.controller.sync();
+  const [browser] = f.browsers;
+  browser.addProducer = async () => {
+    throw Object.assign(new Error('This browser cannot consume the video/av1 screen.'), { name: 'BrowserScreenCodecError' });
+  };
+  const producer = { channelId: 'room', producerId: 'video-producer', producerSessionId: 'publisher', kind: 'video',
+    appData: { mediaType: 'screen_video', shareId: f.remote.shareId, nativeScreen: { sourceInstanceId: f.remote.instanceId,
+      pipelineId: randomUUID(), video: shared.getScreenShareProfile(f.remote.video, 'source') } } };
+  for (const listener of f.networkListeners) listener(`message.${shared.MessageType.SFU_NEW_PRODUCER}`, producer);
+  for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) await tick();
+  assert.equal(f.controller.getWatchState('publisher', f.remote.shareId)?.reason, 'unsupported');
+});
+
 for (const failure of ['capabilities', 'watch']) {
   test(`native ${failure} failure retains the native receiver on retry`, async t => {
     const f = fixture(t, { allowBrowser: true });
@@ -507,15 +523,15 @@ for (const strategy of ['automatic', 'manual']) {
   });
 }
 
-for (const web of [true, false]) {
-  test(`the browser format reaches every source start only on the web (web: ${web}) (#858)`, async t => {
-    const f = fixture(t, { web });
-    f.settings.browserScreenFormat = 'main';
+for (const screenFormat of ['compatible', 'main']) {
+  test(`the ${screenFormat} screen format reaches every source start, on the desktop as on the web (#858)`, async t => {
+    const f = fixture(t);
+    f.settings.screenFormat = screenFormat;
     await f.local();
     await f.controller.applyQuality(profile());
     const additions = f.commands.filter(command => command.action === 'source-add');
     assert.equal(additions.length, 2);
-    for (const command of additions) assert.equal(command.browserFormat, web ? 'main' : undefined);
+    for (const command of additions) assert.equal(command.screenFormat, screenFormat);
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/client/test/nativeScreenIpc.test.cjs b/apps/client/test/nativeScreenIpc.test.cjs
index dcab6e0c..f76ded0f 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/nativeScreenIpc.test.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/test/nativeScreenIpc.test.cjs
@@ -75,6 +75,25 @@ test('encoding policy prefers initialized hardware AV1, then H264, then visible
   }
 });
 
+test('the compatible format tries only H.264 encoders, in either strategy and whatever codec is preferred (#858)', async () => {
+  const compiled = ['av1_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_av1_tex', 'h264_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_h264_tex', 'obs_x264', 'monky_aom_av1'];
+  const unsupported = () => Object.assign(new Error('Unsupported'), { code: 'ERR_SCREEN_CAPTURE_ENCODER_UNSUPPORTED' });
+  for (const [strategy, mode] of [['automatic', 'hardware'], ['manual', 'hardware'], ['manual', 'software']]) {
+    const tried = [];
+    const selected = await policy.selectScreenEncoding(strategy, mode, 'av1', compiled, async value => {
+      tried.push(value.encoder);
+      if (value.mode === 'hardware') throw unsupported();
+    }, false, undefined, true);
+    assert.ok(tried.every(encoder => !encoder.includes('av1')), `${strategy}/${mode} tried AV1: ${tried}`);
+    assert.equal(selected.selection?.codec ?? 'h264', 'h264');
+    if (!(strategy === 'manual' && mode === 'hardware')) assert.equal(selected.selection.encoder, 'obs_x264');
+  }
+  // Without the compatible format, Automatic still prefers AV1.
+  const tried = [];
+  await policy.selectScreenEncoding('automatic', 'hardware', 'h264', compiled, async value => { tried.push(value.encoder); });
+  assert.deepEqual(tried, ['av1_texture_amf']);
+});
+
 test('macOS keeps Automatic on hardware H264 and exposes AV1 only as explicit native software', async () => {
   const encoders = ['apple_vt_h264', 'apple_vt_h264_software', 'monky_aom_av1'];
   const tried = [];
@@ -1083,6 +1102,28 @@ for (const encoder of ['h264_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_h264_tex']) {
   });
 }
 
+for (const screenFormat of ['compatible', 'main', undefined]) {
+  test(`the ${screenFormat ?? 'default'} format reaches discovery, the source probe and the publisher (#858)`, async t => {
+    const f = fixture(t, { encoder: 'h264_texture_amf', compiledEncoders: ['av1_texture_amf', 'h264_texture_amf', 'obs_x264'] });
+    await f.join(); await f.participants();
+    const { source } = await f.addSource(undefined, { video: { width: 3840, height: 2160, fps: 120, maxBitrateKbps: 80000 },
+      ...(screenFormat ? { screenFormat } : {}) });
+    const compatible = screenFormat === 'compatible';
+    assert.equal(f.encodingProbes.some(options => options.encoder === 'av1_texture_amf'), !compatible,
+      'Automatic tries AV1 first, except in the compatible format');
+    assert.equal(source.codec, 'h264');
+    // Firefox decodes Constrained Baseline up to Level 5.2: 4K keeps its size and drops to 64 FPS.
+    assert.equal(source.video.fps, compatible ? 64 : 120);
+    assert.equal(f.probes[0].options.h264Profile, compatible ? 'constrained-baseline' : 'main');
+    await f.command({ action: 'signal', signal: {
+      fromSessionId: 'viewer', targetSessionId: 'publisher', publisherSessionId: 'publisher',
+      channelId: f.config.channelId, shareId: source.shareId, sourceInstanceId: source.instanceId,
+      subscriptionId: randomUUID(), action: 'watch', quality: 'source', backend: 'native',
+    } });
+    assert.equal(f.endpoints[0].options.h264Profile, compatible ? 'constrained-baseline' : 'main');
+  });
+}
+
 test('a junction above the profile gives probes, sources and cleanup one canonical capture folder', async t => {
   const f = fixture(t, { profileAlias: true });
   const physical = path.join(__dirname, 'modeled-native-profile', 'native-screen-capture');
diff --git a/apps/client/test/qualitySettingsSmoke.cjs b/apps/client/test/qualitySettingsSmoke.cjs
index ace7646a..bf82f49e 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/qualitySettingsSmoke.cjs
+++ b/apps/client/test/qualitySettingsSmoke.cjs
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ async function runQualitySettingsSmoke() {
     encodingRequests.push(command);
     const automatic = command.encodingStrategy === 'automatic';
     const mode = automatic ? hardwareAvailable ? 'hardware' : 'software' : command.encodingMode;
-    const codec = automatic ? mode === 'hardware' ? 'av1' : 'h264' : command.codec;
+    // What Main does: the compatible format (#858) considers only H.264 encoders.
+    const codec = command.screenFormat === 'compatible' ? 'h264' : automatic ? mode === 'hardware' ? 'av1' : 'h264' : command.codec;
     const hardwareSupported = hardwareAvailable && !(limitFourKH264 && codec === 'h264'
       && (command.video.width >= 3840 || command.video.height >= 2160) && command.video.fps > 60);
     const unavailable = !automatic && mode === 'hardware' && !hardwareSupported;
@@ -238,6 +239,24 @@ async function runQualitySettingsSmoke() {
       'Automatic fields must be read-only and show resolved Hardware/AV1 without overwriting manual choices.');
       check(encodingStatus.textContent === language.t('settings.screenEncodingReady', { codec: 'AV1' }),
         'Available encoding must show the concise localized status.');
+      const formatCards = quality.querySelector('#screen-format-choice');
+      const formatCard = value => formatCards.querySelector(`[data-screen-format="${value}"]`);
+      check(formatCard('main').getAttribute('aria-pressed') === 'true' && formatCard('compatible').getAttribute('aria-pressed') === 'false'
+        && formatCard('compatible').textContent.includes(language.t('screenShare.formatCompatible'))
+        && formatCard('main').textContent.includes(language.t('screenShare.formatMainDescription')),
+      'The desktop keeps the better-quality format by default, beside the compatible one (#858).');
+      formatCard('compatible').click();
+      await settled(() => encodingStatus.getAttribute('aria-busy') === 'false'
+        && encodingRequests.at(-1)?.screenFormat === 'compatible', `${locale}/compatible format`);
+      check(settingsStore.screenFormat === 'compatible' && formatCard('compatible').getAttribute('aria-pressed') === 'true'
+        && screenCodec.disabled && screenCodec.value === 'h264' && screenCodec.querySelector('[value="av1"]').disabled
+        && encodingStatus.textContent === language.t('settings.screenEncodingReady', { codec: 'H264' }),
+      'The compatible format checks and shows only H.264 (#858).');
+      formatCard('main').click();
+      await settled(() => encodingStatus.getAttribute('aria-busy') === 'false'
+        && encodingRequests.at(-1)?.screenFormat === 'main', `${locale}/main format`);
+      check(settingsStore.screenFormat === 'main' && screenCodec.value === 'av1' && settingsStore.preferredScreenCodec === 'h264',
+        'Back in better quality, Automatic resolves AV1 again without touching the manual codec.');
       automatic.dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { key: 'ArrowRight', bubbles: true, cancelable: true }));
       const choicesStatus = quality.querySelector('#screen-encoding-choices');
       const encodingSettled = () => encodingStatus.getAttribute('aria-busy') === 'false'
diff --git a/apps/client/test/settingsPersistence.test.ts b/apps/client/test/settingsPersistence.test.ts
index 5bb57971..89b13fdc 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/settingsPersistence.test.ts
+++ b/apps/client/test/settingsPersistence.test.ts
@@ -176,13 +176,20 @@ test('keys that are not settings, as an imported backup may bring, never reach t
   }
 });
 
-test('the format a browser shares its screen in is saved, and an unknown one falls back to the compatible format (#858)', async () => {
+test('the screen format is saved, keeps the web\'s earlier key, and an unknown one falls back to the platform default (#858)', async () => {
   const { settingsStore } = await loaded;
-  assert.equal(settingsStore.browserScreenFormat, 'compatible', 'every viewer can watch by default');
-  settingsStore.setBrowserScreenFormat('main');
-  assert.equal(stored().browserScreenFormat, 'main');
-  storage.setItem('monky_settings', JSON.stringify({ ...stored(), browserScreenFormat: 'av1' }));
+  // The desktop keeps its better-quality Main by default; the web starts in the compatible format.
+  assert.equal(settingsStore.screenFormat, 'main');
+  settingsStore.setScreenFormat('compatible');
+  assert.equal(stored().screenFormat, 'compatible');
+  // v41.5.4 saved the web's choice as browserScreenFormat.
+  const { screenFormat: _saved, ...legacy } = stored();
+  storage.setItem('monky_settings', JSON.stringify({ ...legacy, browserScreenFormat: 'compatible' }));
+  settingsStore.screenFormat = 'main';
   settingsStore.load();
-  assert.equal(settingsStore.browserScreenFormat, 'compatible', 'a format this version does not offer is not used');
-  settingsStore.setBrowserScreenFormat('compatible');
+  assert.equal(settingsStore.screenFormat, 'compatible');
+  storage.setItem('monky_settings', JSON.stringify({ ...stored(), screenFormat: 'av1' }));
+  settingsStore.load();
+  assert.equal(settingsStore.screenFormat, 'main', 'a format this version does not offer is not used');
+  settingsStore.setScreenFormat('main');
 });
diff --git a/apps/client/test/webScreenPublisher.test.ts b/apps/client/test/webScreenPublisher.test.ts
index 0798d9f9..7a656bad 100644
--- a/apps/client/test/webScreenPublisher.test.ts
+++ b/apps/client/test/webScreenPublisher.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 import { test, type TestContext } from 'node:test';
-import {
+import { screenShareIdSchema,
   browserScreenCommandSchema, nativeScreenCommandSchema, nativeScreenP2pControlSchema,
   type NativeScreenP2pControl,
 } from '@monky/shared';
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
 } from '../src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/screenP2pPublisherPeer';
 import type { ScreenMediaBinding } from '../src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/screenSdp';
 import { planBrowserAudio, type LiveScreens } from '../src/renderer/views/screenShare/captureRules';
+import { createScreenShareStream } from '../src/renderer/core/screenShareStream';
 import { webScreenCapabilities } from '../src/renderer/platform/web/webScreen/webScreenRuntime';
 import { webCapabilities } from '../src/renderer/platform/web/webPlatform';
 import { browserReceivesH264Main, browserReceivesScreenCodec, browserScreenRefusal } from '../src/renderer/core/webrtc/browserScreenCodecs';
@@ -302,16 +303,16 @@ test('Firefox watches compatible H.264 screens and knows it cannot decode Main (
 test('a browser that cannot decode a screen is told which format and where to watch it (#858)', (t: TestContext) => {
   inBrowser(t, FIREFOX_VIDEO_CODECS, () => {
     // Firefox reaches an H.264 screen only when it is Main: the desktop's or the web's better format.
-    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('h264'), 'main');
+    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('h264'), 'unwatchable');
     // Firefox lists AV1 but does not decode the screen: named as AV1, never the generic network failure.
-    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('av1'), 'codec');
+    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('av1'), 'unwatchable');
   });
   inBrowser(t, CHROMIUM_VIDEO_CODECS, () => {
     assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('h264'), null);
     assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('av1'), 'switch');
   });
   inBrowser(t, NO_H264_VIDEO_CODECS, () => {
-    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('h264'), 'codec');
+    assert.equal(browserScreenRefusal('h264'), 'unwatchable');
   });
 });
 
@@ -354,3 +355,17 @@ test('a share chosen in the browser carries sound only when no other share keeps
   // Sound still being set up for a share belongs to nobody yet.
   assert.deepEqual(planBrowserAudio({ mode: 'replace' }, live([], ['pending'])), { kind: 'blocked', reason: 'system' });
 });
+
+test('a share started in Firefox, whose streams are named {uuid}, gets a share id every side accepts (#858)', (t: TestContext) => {
+  const descriptor = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(globalThis, 'MediaStream');
+  t.after(() => { if (descriptor) Object.defineProperty(globalThis, 'MediaStream', descriptor); else Reflect.deleteProperty(globalThis, 'MediaStream'); });
+  let next = '';
+  class FakeStream { get id(): string { return next; } }
+  Object.defineProperty(globalThis, 'MediaStream', { value: FakeStream, configurable: true, writable: true });
+  next = '{8e5c3b1a-6f2d-4c1e-9a7b-3d2e1f0a9b8c}';
+  const firefox = createScreenShareStream();
+  assert.equal(screenShareIdSchema.safeParse(firefox.id).success, true);
+  assert.equal(firefox.id, firefox.id, 'the id stays the same every time it is read');
+  next = 'Q2o7mVb1xK0dLr9sTz4wHy3nUe6cGj5pFa8i';
+  assert.equal(createScreenShareStream().id, next, 'an id the rule accepts is kept');
+});
diff --git a/docs-site/arquitetura.md b/docs-site/arquitetura.md
index cc788b78..58143e64 100644
--- a/docs-site/arquitetura.md
+++ b/docs-site/arquitetura.md
@@ -298,6 +298,17 @@ sempre com o receptor do navegador. Um navegador sem o perfil ou o codec da
 transmissão (o Firefox diante do H.264 Main ou do AV1) recebe uma mensagem que
 nomeia o formato, e não a falha genérica de conexão.
 
+O app desktop oferece o mesmo par de formatos em Qualidade e compartilhamento,
+com Melhor qualidade (H.264 Main ou AV1) como padrão. No Compatível, o Main
+escolhe só encoders H.264 e passa `--h264-profile=constrained-baseline` ao host
+de captura: x264, NVENC e AMF usam o perfil `baseline` do OBS, e o VideoToolbox
+usa `H264_ConstrainedBaseline_AutoLevel`. O host e o motor marcam o
+`constraint_set1` de um SPS Baseline sem grupos de slices nem imagens
+redundantes, que é Constrained Baseline (H.264 A.2.1). O motor
+(`videoInput: 'encoded-h264-cb'`) negocia só esse perfil e atende receptores
+em qualquer nível anunciado, porque navegadores anunciam o nível 3.1 padrão e
+decodificam até o 5.2; por isso a fonte compatível não passa do nível 5.2.
+
 O seletor só usa a captura nativa e explica o motivo quando ela não está
 disponível: não existe alternativa pela captura do Chromium. Fechar o seletor
 cancela uma aquisição pendente sem encerrar telas já publicadas. O áudio da
diff --git a/docs-site/configuracoes.md b/docs-site/configuracoes.md
index 6675d2e9..f5774e93 100644
--- a/docs-site/configuracoes.md
+++ b/docs-site/configuracoes.md
@@ -190,6 +190,14 @@ A câmera mantém o teto de 120 FPS, ou 60 FPS em 4K.
 Ela usa a captura do Chromium e os modos oferecidos pela webcam, um caminho
 diferente da captura nativa de tela.
 
+O **Formato do vídeo** decide quem consegue assistir à tela. **Melhor qualidade**,
+o padrão do app desktop, usa o codec escolhido (H.264 Main ou AV1), que o Chrome,
+o Edge e o app desktop assistem. **Compatível**, o padrão da versão web, usa
+H.264 Constrained Baseline, que todos assistem, inclusive o Firefox e o Safari.
+No Compatível, a tela sai sempre em H.264, e um 4K acima de 64 FPS é reduzido,
+porque o Firefox decodifica esse perfil só até o nível 5.2. A escolha vale a
+partir do próximo compartilhamento.
+
 Qualquer alteração de qualidade — preset, resolução, FPS, bitrate, codec ou
 Hardware/Software — valida a combinação antes de aplicá-la. Se necessário, o
 app busca um FPS menor confirmado pelo codificador, preservando a resolução,
diff --git a/docs-site/en/arquitetura.md b/docs-site/en/arquitetura.md
index 829341d0..be7ca60e 100644
--- a/docs-site/en/arquitetura.md
+++ b/docs-site/en/arquitetura.md
@@ -295,6 +295,17 @@ always watches with the browser's receiver. A browser without the share's
 profile or codec (Firefox facing H.264 Main or AV1) gets a message naming the
 format, not the generic connection failure.
 
+The desktop app offers the same pair of formats in Quality & sharing, with
+Better quality (H.264 Main or AV1) as its default. In Compatible, Main picks
+only H.264 encoders and passes `--h264-profile=constrained-baseline` to the
+capture host: x264, NVENC and AMF use OBS's `baseline` profile, and
+VideoToolbox uses `H264_ConstrainedBaseline_AutoLevel`. The host and the engine
+set `constraint_set1` on a Baseline SPS without slice groups or redundant
+pictures, which is Constrained Baseline (H.264 A.2.1). The engine
+(`videoInput: 'encoded-h264-cb'`) negotiates only that profile and serves
+receivers at any advertised level, since browsers advertise the default
+Level 3.1 and decode up to 5.2; so a compatible source never exceeds Level 5.2.
+
 The picker only uses native capture and explains why when it is unavailable:
 there is no fallback to Chromium capture. Closing the picker cancels pending
 acquisition without ending already published screens. Screen audio belongs to
diff --git a/docs-site/en/configuracoes.md b/docs-site/en/configuracoes.md
index 5f7133a3..700384f5 100644
--- a/docs-site/en/configuracoes.md
+++ b/docs-site/en/configuracoes.md
@@ -187,6 +187,14 @@ Camera keeps its 120 FPS ceiling, or 60 FPS at 4K.
 It uses Chromium capture and the modes offered by the webcam, a different
 path from native screen capture.
 
+The **Video format** decides who can watch the screen. **Better quality**, the
+desktop app's default, uses the chosen codec (H.264 Main or AV1), which Chrome,
+Edge and the desktop app watch. **Compatible**, the web version's default, uses
+H.264 Constrained Baseline, which everyone watches, Firefox and Safari included.
+In Compatible, the screen is always sent in H.264, and 4K above 64 FPS is
+lowered, because Firefox decodes this profile only up to Level 5.2. The choice
+applies from the next share.
+
 Every quality change — preset, resolution, FPS, bitrate, codec, or
 Hardware/Software — validates the combination before applying it. When needed,
 the app finds a lower FPS confirmed by the encoder, preserving resolution,
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/nativeScreenIpc.ts b/packages/shared/src/nativeScreenIpc.ts
index 4702c00d..9565b7ca 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/nativeScreenIpc.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/nativeScreenIpc.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import {
   nativeScreenFailureSchema, nativeScreenRenditionSchema, nativeScreenSignalSchema, nativeScreenCaptureModeSchema,
   nativeScreenSourcesSchema, nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema, screenShareIdSchema, screenShareQualitySchema,
   screenEncodingModeSchema, screenEncodingStrategySchema, screenCodecPreferenceSchema, screenCodecSchema,
-  browserScreenFormatSchema, type BrowserScreenFormat,
+  screenFormatSchema, type ScreenFormat,
   SCREEN_SHARE_LIMITS, type NativeScreenSource, type ScreenEncodingAvailability,
 } from './screenSharing.js';
 
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ const screenCommandSchema = (sourceId: z.ZodString) => z.discriminatedUnion('act
     action: z.literal('probe-encoding'), video: nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema,
     probeId: uuid, encodingMode: screenEncodingModeSchema, codec: screenCodecPreferenceSchema,
     encodingStrategy: screenEncodingStrategySchema.default('automatic'),
+    /** The compatible format checks only H.264 encoders (#858). */
+    screenFormat: screenFormatSchema.optional(),
   }).strict(),
   z.object({ action: z.literal('cancel-encoding-probe'), probeId: uuid }).strict(),
   nativeScreenCallSchema.extend({ action: z.literal('join') }).strict(),
@@ -120,8 +122,8 @@ const screenCommandSchema = (sourceId: z.ZodString) => z.discriminatedUnion('act
     video: nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema, audio: z.boolean(), audioBitrateKbps: nativeScreenAudioBitrateSchema,
     encodingMode: screenEncodingModeSchema.optional(), codec: screenCodecPreferenceSchema.optional(),
     encodingStrategy: screenEncodingStrategySchema.default('automatic'),
-    /** Only a browser publisher reads it; the desktop chooses its codec through the fields above. */
-    browserFormat: browserScreenFormatSchema.optional(),
+    /** The H.264 the screen is shared in; absent means the platform's default. Compatible is always H.264. */
+    screenFormat: screenFormatSchema.optional(),
   }).strict(),
   callScope.extend({ action: z.literal('source-remove'), shareId: screenShareIdSchema }).strict(),
   callScope.extend({
@@ -171,7 +173,7 @@ export interface NativeScreenCapabilities {
   backend: 'libobs-amf' | 'libobs-nvenc' | 'libobs-software' | 'videotoolbox-hardware' | 'videotoolbox-software' | 'libaom-software' | null;
   reason: 'platform' | 'runtime' | 'encoder' | null;
   /** What a browser publisher can encode, the compatible format first. Absent on the desktop. */
-  browserFormats?: readonly BrowserScreenFormat[];
+  browserFormats?: readonly ScreenFormat[];
 }
 
 const metric = z.number().finite().nonnegative();
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/screenSharing.ts b/packages/shared/src/screenSharing.ts
index ccc45574..6d60e402 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/screenSharing.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/screenSharing.ts
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@ export type ScreenCodec = z.infer<typeof screenCodecSchema>;
 export const screenCodecPreferenceSchema = z.enum(['auto', 'h264', 'av1']);
 export type ScreenCodecPreference = z.infer<typeof screenCodecPreferenceSchema>;
 /**
- * How a browser encodes the screens it shares (#858), always as H.264: `compatible` is Constrained Baseline,
+ * The H.264 a screen is shared in (#858), on the web and on the desktop. `compatible` is Constrained Baseline,
  * which every receiver decodes (Firefox and Safari included); `main` looks better, but only receivers with an
- * H.264 Main decoder (Chromium, the desktop app) can watch it.
+ * H.264 Main decoder (Chromium, the desktop app) can watch it. The desktop's AV1 is a `main` choice.
  */
-export const browserScreenFormatSchema = z.enum(['compatible', 'main']);
-export type BrowserScreenFormat = z.infer<typeof browserScreenFormatSchema>;
+export const screenFormatSchema = z.enum(['compatible', 'main']);
+export type ScreenFormat = z.infer<typeof screenFormatSchema>;
 export const screenEncoderSchema = z.enum([
   'h264_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_h264_tex', 'obs_x264',
   'av1_texture_amf', 'obs_nvenc_av1_tex', 'monky_aom_av1',
@@ -75,6 +75,17 @@ export function getScreenH264ProfileLevelId(profile: Readonly<NativeScreenVideoP
   return macroblocksPerSecond <= 983040 ? '4d0033' : macroblocksPerSecond <= 2073600 ? '4d0034' : '4d003c';
 }
 
+/**
+ * A screen in the compatible format (#858). Firefox's WebRTC decoder probe admits Constrained Baseline up to
+ * Level 5.2 (4K at 60 FPS) and refuses Level 6, so a compatible screen keeps its size and lowers only a frame
+ * rate that would need Level 6.
+ */
+export function compatibleScreenProfile(profile: Readonly<NativeScreenVideoProfile>): Readonly<NativeScreenVideoProfile> {
+  const video = nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema.parse(profile);
+  const macroblocks = Math.ceil(video.width / 16) * Math.ceil(video.height / 16);
+  return Object.freeze({ ...video, fps: Math.min(video.fps, Math.floor(2073600 / macroblocks)) });
+}
+
 /** Annex A lower bound for Main-tier, single-layer video; not proof of an encoder's actual sequence level. */
 export function getScreenAv1MinimumLevelIndex(profile: Readonly<NativeScreenVideoProfile>): number {
   const video = nativeScreenVideoProfileSchema.parse(profile);
diff --git a/release-notes/screen-compatible-format.json b/release-notes/screen-compatible-format.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f6caf09d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-notes/screen-compatible-format.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "group": "novidades",
+  "pt-BR": "Novo formato Compatível para compartilhar tela no app desktop, que o Firefox e o Safari também assistem (em Qualidade e compartilhamento). Na web, o Firefox volta a compartilhar tela, e quem não consegue assistir vê uma mensagem clara.",
+  "en": "New Compatible format for sharing screens in the desktop app, which Firefox and Safari can watch too (in Quality & sharing). On the web, Firefox can share its screen again, and viewers who cannot watch see a clear message."
+}