Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for sharing activity data through activity beacons. The system first receives a signal to enable a service for sharing activity data between the first device and a second device during a communication session between the first device and the second device, wherein the communication session is maintained via a first application. The system then tracks an activity associated with at least one of the first device or a second software application at the first device to yield activity data. Next, the system transmits an activity beacon from the first device to the second device, the activity beacon including the activity data and a second signal for triggering a presentation of a representation of the activity at the second device within the first application.