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    Communication
    Intermediate
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Watch Movies and TV Together Over FaceTime Using SharePlay

    SharePlay lets you and a family member watch the same movie at the same time on a FaceTime call. You each watch on your own device, fully synced.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Communication
    Difficulty
    Intermediate
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    facetime
    shareplay
    watch together
    remote viewing
    apple tv plus
    disney plus
    family

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Start a FaceTime call
    2. 2.Open a streaming app during the call
    3. 3.Start SharePlay
    4. 4.Watch together in sync
    5. 5.End SharePlay or continue separately
    1

    Start a FaceTime call

    ~21s
    Open the FaceTime app and call the person you want to watch with. You can also start the call from the Phone app or Messages — tap the FaceTime button on a contact's page. Make sure they answer before proceeding.

    Quick Tip

    SharePlay works with two or more people on the same FaceTime call. You can have a watch party with your whole family.

    2

    Open a streaming app during the call

    ~18s
    While on the FaceTime call, swipe up to go home (do not end the call — it continues in a small bar at the top). Open a supported streaming app like Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, or Mubi. Browse to the movie or show you want to watch together.
    3

    Start SharePlay

    ~21s
    Tap play on the video. A banner will appear asking "Play for Everyone?" — tap "SharePlay." Or if no banner appears, tap the SharePlay icon (the person with a triangle/play button icon) in the app. Confirm by tapping "Start SharePlay."

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If no SharePlay option appears, go back to the FaceTime call, tap the SharePlay icon in the call controls, then open the streaming app.

    4

    Watch together in sync

    ~23s
    Everyone on the call will be prompted to open the same video. When they tap "Open" or "Join," the video syncs. Any participant can pause, play, or seek — the video responds for everyone simultaneously. The FaceTime audio continues in the background so you can talk, react, or comment during the video.

    Warning

    Everyone watching needs their own subscription to the streaming service. SharePlay syncs playback but does not share account credentials.

    5

    End SharePlay or continue separately

    ~15s
    Tap the SharePlay icon during playback → "End SharePlay for Everyone" to stop the shared session. Or tap "Leave SharePlay" to keep watching on your own while others continue the shared session. The FaceTime call continues even after SharePlay ends.

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    SharePlay is a feature built into FaceTime on iPhone, iPad, and Mac that lets you watch movies, TV shows, or listen to music with someone else — even if you are hundreds of miles apart. Both people see the same content at exactly the same time. And you can talk during it using FaceTime.

    Think of it as a virtual watch party. You can watch something with a grandchild across the country, catch up on a show with a friend who moved away, or re-experience a favorite movie with family during the holidays.

    Here is how it works: 1. Start a FaceTime call with one or more people 2. Open a supported streaming app (Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, and others) 3. Start playing a video 4. SharePlay offers to share the video with everyone on the call 5. Everyone sees the same video at the same time — play, pause, and seek controls sync for everyone

    Each person must have their own subscription to the streaming service. SharePlay does not share account access — it just syncs playback.

    SharePlay requires iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The person starting SharePlay needs iOS 15.1 or later. Works best when both people have a fast Wi-Fi connection.

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    facetime
    shareplay
    watch together
    remote viewing
    apple tv plus
    disney plus
    family

    Official Resources

    Zoom Help CenterApple FaceTime SupportWhatsApp Help

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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