Max Subscribers Can Now Watch With Friends Using Apple’s SharePlay Feature
Max Subscribers Can Now Watch With Friends Using Apple’s SharePlay Feature
The new update will allow ad-free Max customers to watch movies and shows along with friends no matter how far away.
Apple and Warner Bros. Discovery are ready to announce a new partnership! No, it’s not a new streaming bundle, but WBD’s streaming service Max is heavily involved. This week, Max announced that it is now compatible with Apple’s SharePlay feature, which allows viewers in two different locations to synch up playback of a given show or movie, then watch it together while FaceTiming or iMessaging each other.
Key Details:
- SharePlay will work with Max’s on-demand titles, as well as sports events offered through the Bleacher Report add-on.
- Up to 32 people can join a single SharePlay viewing session.
- Only Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad Free Max subscribers will be able to use SharePlay.
SharePlay will let Max subscribers watch their favorite titles with friends and family, no matter how far away they are. The feature will work with on-demand shows and movies like the new season of “House of the Dragon” or the upcoming “Dune: Prophecy,” and will also be compatible with live sports games from the NBA, NHL, MLB and other leagues shown on the Bleacher Report Sports add-on.
The SharePlay on Max function will let up to 32 people join a viewing session at a time. Synchronized playback controls will let anyone in the group pause, play, rewind, or fast forward the chosen title. Viewers must have tvOS 15.1, iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, or visionOS 1.0 at minimum to be able to use SharePlay while watching Max.
Not all Max subscribers will be able to use SharePlay, however. At present, it is being reserved for Ad-Free ($16.99 per month) or Ultimate Ad-Free ($21.99 per month) customers, while viewers on the ad-supported plan ($9.99 per month) will simply have to cross their fingers and hope the feature comes to them at some point down the line.
How to Use SharePlay on Max With iPhone or iPad
- Open the Max app on your device and select a title to watch.
- On the content details page, tap the Share icon and then SharePlay.
- Enter the contacts you want to share with, then choose Messages or FaceTime. If you choose Messages, contacts will get a message asking them to join SharePlay. If you choose FaceTime, contacts will get a FaceTime call.
- Choose Watch Now to start the SharePlay session.
- Playback will begin and be synched for all participants.
How to Use SharePlay on Max with FaceTime on Apple TV
- Open FaceTime and call the people you would like to stream Max with.
- Click on the SharePlay button in FaceTime and choose Max from the list of available apps.
- Find the title you want to watch on Max and click “Watch Now”
- Playback will begin and be synched for everyone on the call.
How to Use SharePlay on Max with Apple Vision Pro
- Open the Max app on your Apple Vision Pro and select a title to watch.
- On the content details page, tap the Share icon and then SharePlay.
- Enter the contacts you want to stream Max with, and the app will initiate a FaceTime call.
- Choose Watch Now to start the SharePlay session.
- Playback will begin and be synched for everyone on the call.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.