Co-viewing experiences have been a hit in the past couple years, especially during the pandemic. Streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, as well as third-party services like Netflix Party and Scener, which has HBO Max content all give viewers the ability to share their favorite shows and movies with those they love. Disney launched a co-viewing feature for Disney+ as well that’s called GroupShare whereas Sling TV and Yahoo Sports! added the ability to live stream sports. The possibilities are endless and virtual friendships can be less of a foreign/weird concept.
During Apple’s 2021 WWDC Keynote, the company announced “SharePlay”, which allows users to share content over FaceTime call. The feature is part of iOS 15 and keeps a video stream in sync so you can stream alongside others. You can also AirPlay while continuing to be on FaceTime camera on your phone. There’s also a “Play”, “Pause”, “Fast-Forward”, and “Rewind”, option and the ability to change what you’re watching, regardless of who started the share.
These are the streaming services that currently have support for SharePlay:
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Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a subscription video streaming service for $6.99 a month that includes high-quality original shows and movies including Best Picture winner “CODA,” popular sitcom “Ted Lasso,” and dramas like “The Morning Show” and “Severance.” Apple TV+ is also home to MLB baseball games on Friday nights and MLS Season Pass.
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Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”
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ESPN+
ESPN+ is a live TV streaming service that gives access to thousands of live sporting events, original shows like Peyton’s Place, the entire library of 30 for 30, E:60, The Last Dance, as well exclusive written analysis from top ESPN insiders.
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Max
Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library, along with 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. The service changed its name from “HBO Max” on May 23, 2023.
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Hulu
Hulu is a video streaming service that gives access to thousands of full seasons of exclusive series, hit movies, kids shows, and Hulu Originals like “Only Murders in the Building,” and “The Handmaid's Tale.”
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MUBI
The global curated film streaming platform features a substantial collection of 800+ films, documentaries, and shorts with a new movie added every day to the lineup. As a production company and film distributor, MUBI produces and distributes exclusive films by emerging and established filmmakers, which are only available on its platform. The streaming service is available in more than 190 countries.
Viewers can add MUBI as an Amazon Prime Video channel, so the content can be available there as well as in the MUBI app.
Students can enjoy a 30-day free trial and a discounted membership at $6.99/month.
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Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and more. The lineup includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and MTV’s “Laguna Beach.” From well-loved franchises to compelling originals, Paramount+ offers a great library worth streaming. Live NFL games are included. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate.
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Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a free live TV streaming service that provides more than 350 channels of live TV and thousands of on demand movies and TV shows.
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SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME offers a subscription video streaming service that gives access to content on Showtime without the need of a cable subscription. With your subscription, you’ll get access to all of their current originals like Yellowjackets, Billions, and American Gigolo. If you choose to bundle Showtime with Paramount+, you can get both services for $11.99/month.
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Shudder
Shudder is a streaming video service specializing in horror, thriller and supernatural fiction titles. The service has a vast library of both classic and contemporary films as well as new, original programming such as Wolf Creek, and Slaxx. Shudder also benefits from content courtesy of AMC including Eli Roth's History of Horror and fan-favorite zombie survival series The Walking Dead. The platform is available to users in the U.S., Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.
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STARZ
STARZ offers a subscription video streaming service that gives access to content on the STARZ channel without the need of a cable subscription. With your subscription, you’ll get access to 7,500+ films and episodes, including all of their current originals like “Outlander,” The Serpent Queen,” “BMF,” and “Power.”
This also includes NBA, UFC, Digital Concert Hall, MasterClass, and Pantaya. See the full list here.
Netflix and YouTube TV doesn’t support SharePlay at this time.
What Do I Need to Use SharePlay?
To use SharePlay, the user must be running iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, tvOS 15.1, and macOS 12.1 or newer on their Apple devices.
To check if you need to update your device, open Settings > General > Software Updates. You’ll be told that your OS is up to date or that you need to download and install the latest update.
Another crucial step is to make sure that SharePlay is enabled on your device. Go to Settings > FaceTime > SharePlay and turn it on. Everyone you invite to the call must do this as well.
There’s also a slight catch: to share content from an app that requires a subscription, all viewers must have their own subscriptions. The same goes for purchased content— everyone must make the same purchase in order to watch movies or TV shows together.
How Do I Begin a SharePlay Session?
Using an iPhone and iPad:
- Start a FaceTime call
- Go to the Home Screen, then open a video streaming app of your choice that supports SharePlay
- Select what you want to watch, tap the Play button, then select Play for Everyone to begin watching with everyone on the call.
- Others on the call may have to tap Join SharePlay to see the video.
Using Apple TV:
- On your Apple TV Remote, press and hold TV/Control Center to open Control Center.
- Select your User at the top of the Control Center
- Select SharePlay
- Select Start on Apple TV
- Confirm on your iPhone or iPad
If you’ve already started watching a video together on iPhone, you can transfer it to your Apple TV:
- In the streaming app, tap the AirPlay icon, then choose Apple TV as the playback destination.
- The video plays in sync so you can keep the conversation going on your iPhone.
Share Your Screen:
Instead of sharing content from a supported video app, you can also share any window on your screen (such as Safari or social media apps). To do this, tap on the Screen Share icon in the FaceTime video toolbar, then select Share My Screen. Your onscreen activity will be visible as well.
Can I SharePlay with People in Different Countries/Regions?
You can start and join a SharePlay session with participants in different countries/regions, however, content availability varies based on location or content rating limitations. Users will be notified if they’re unable to join due to these reasons.