Imagine this: you’re curled up on the couch in Auckland, rain tapping against the window, and you’re about to start the new season of Severance on Apple TV+. But instead of watching alone, you tap a button and suddenly your friend in Sydney is right there with you - same scene, same pause, same shocked gasp when the twist hits. That’s SharePlay on Apple TV+, and it’s not magic. It’s just Apple making it stupidly easy to watch what you love, with the people you love.
Before SharePlay, group watching meant awkward Zoom calls with laggy screens, someone’s cat walking across the keyboard, or worse - syncing up Netflix Party links that kept dropping. Apple fixed that. With SharePlay, everything stays locked in sync: play, pause, rewind, volume, even the exact second you’re at. And it works right inside FaceTime. No extra apps. No logins. Just a call and a tap.
How SharePlay Actually Works on Apple TV+
SharePlay isn’t a standalone app. It’s a feature built into FaceTime, Apple TV+, and the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. When you’re on a FaceTime call with someone who also has Apple TV+, you can start a shared viewing session with one tap. The video plays directly from Apple’s servers, not from your device. That means no buffering, no quality loss, and no one’s phone battery dying halfway through the episode.
Here’s the real trick: it doesn’t matter who started the call or who owns the Apple TV+ subscription. As long as everyone in the call has an Apple ID and access to Apple TV+ - either through their own subscription or a family plan - you can all watch together. Even if you’re on different devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. The video adjusts to each screen, but the playback stays perfectly synced.
Apple TV+ titles are the only ones that work with SharePlay right now. That means shows like The Morning Show, Ted Lasso, and For All Mankind are all fair game. You can’t use SharePlay to watch a movie you rented from iTunes or a YouTube video. It’s locked to Apple’s own content. But that’s fine - Apple TV+ has enough quality originals to make this worth using.
Step-by-Step: Start a SharePlay Session on Apple TV+
It’s simpler than you think. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- Start a FaceTime call with the person you want to watch with. You can use audio-only or video - it doesn’t matter.
- Open the Apple TV+ app on your device. Find any show or movie you want to watch.
- Tap the play button. The video starts playing on your screen.
- Look for the SharePlay button - it’s a small icon that looks like two people with a play symbol in the center. It appears at the bottom of the screen during playback.
- Tap it. A prompt will appear saying “SharePlay is ready.” Tap “Start SharePlay.”
- The other person will see a notification: “Someone is sharing Apple TV+ with you.” Tap “Join.”
- Now you’re both watching. Pause, rewind, fast-forward - it affects everyone. You can even chat while you watch, and the video keeps playing in sync.
That’s it. No passwords. No invites. No setup. If you’ve ever tried to get friends to sync up on Netflix, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the future.
What You Can and Can’t Do With SharePlay
SharePlay is powerful, but it has limits. Knowing them saves you frustration.
- You can: Watch any Apple TV+ title together, pause and resume at the same time, rewind 10 seconds or fast-forward 30 seconds, and control volume from any device.
- You can’t: Watch content from third-party apps like Disney+, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. SharePlay only works with Apple TV+.
- You can’t: Use SharePlay if someone doesn’t have an Apple TV+ subscription. Even if they’re on your Family Sharing plan, they need to be signed into Apple TV+ with their own Apple ID.
- You can’t: Record the stream or screenshot during SharePlay. Apple blocks it to protect copyright.
- You can’t: Have more than 32 people in a SharePlay session. But honestly, if you’re watching with 32 people, you’re probably in a Zoom party, not a cozy group watch.
Also, SharePlay doesn’t work on older devices. You need iOS 15 or later, iPadOS 15 or later, macOS Monterey or later, or tvOS 15 or later. If someone’s stuck on an iPhone 8 with iOS 14, they won’t be able to join. That’s a real barrier for older family members.
Why SharePlay Beats Other Group Watching Tools
There are other ways to watch together - Netflix Party, Discord screen sharing, even AirPlay. But none of them feel as smooth as SharePlay.
Netflix Party (now Teleparty) requires a browser extension, a Chrome account, and it’s clunky on mobile. Discord screen sharing has lag, no audio sync, and you can’t control playback. AirPlay just mirrors your screen - if you pause, the other person still hears audio if they’re not on the same device.
SharePlay is different because it’s built into the OS. Apple didn’t bolt it on - they designed it from the ground up to work with their ecosystem. The video streams directly from Apple’s servers, not from your phone. That’s why it’s buttery smooth, even on slow Wi-Fi. And because it’s tied to FaceTime, you get crystal-clear audio and video chat while you watch.
It’s also the only system that works across all Apple devices without extra apps. You can start on your iPhone, switch to your iPad, and your friend on their Apple TV won’t even notice the change. That’s seamless.
Real-Life Use Cases: Who Actually Uses This?
People aren’t just using SharePlay for fun. It’s becoming a real part of daily life.
Parents use it to watch kids’ shows together while one parent is working late. Grandparents in rural areas join family movie nights from their iPads. Long-distance couples watch new episodes of Slow Horses at the same time, then talk about it over FaceTime. College students in different time zones schedule “watch parties” for Sunday night releases.
One friend in Wellington told me she uses it every Friday night with her sister in London. They pick a show, start a call, and just talk while they watch. No need to wait for the other to finish. No “did you see that?” moments lost to lag. It’s like being in the same room.
And it’s not just for shows. Apple TV+ has documentaries, stand-up specials, and even live events like the Apple Special Events. You can all watch the new iPhone reveal together - and react in real time.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Most of the time, SharePlay just works. But when it doesn’t, here’s what usually goes wrong:
- “I don’t see the SharePlay button.” Make sure you’re on the Apple TV+ app, not the Apple TV app. Also, check that you’re running iOS 15 or later. If you’re on an older device, update it.
- “My friend can’t join.” They need an Apple TV+ subscription. Even if they’re on your Family Sharing plan, they must sign into Apple TV+ with their own Apple ID. Go to Settings > Accounts > Media & Purchases and check.
- “The video is out of sync.” Restart FaceTime and try again. Sometimes the initial sync fails. Also, check your internet connection. If one person is on cellular data, it can cause delays.
- “Audio is delayed.” Turn off any Bluetooth headphones and use the device’s speaker. Bluetooth can cause audio lag in FaceTime.
- “It says ‘SharePlay not available.’” Make sure both people are in the same country. Apple TV+ content varies by region, and SharePlay can’t bridge different libraries.
If nothing works, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. It’s a simple fix that fixes 80% of glitches.
Is SharePlay Worth It?
Yes - if you already have Apple TV+ and FaceTime. It’s free. No extra cost. No subscription upgrade. You’re just using features you already pay for.
It’s not for everyone. If you’re the kind of person who watches alone, or if your friends don’t use Apple devices, it won’t help. But if you’re in a group that already uses iPhones, iPads, or Apple TVs - and you miss watching things with people - this is the best way to do it.
Think of it like this: you don’t need a fancy camera to take good photos. You just need a good phone and someone to share them with. SharePlay is the same. It doesn’t change the content. It just changes how you experience it.
And in a world where everyone’s glued to their screens, it’s rare to find a feature that brings people back together - without asking you to leave your couch.
Can I use SharePlay on Apple TV+ with non-Apple devices?
No. SharePlay only works between Apple devices running iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, or tvOS 15 and later. You can’t join a SharePlay session from an Android phone, Windows PC, or Samsung TV. The feature is locked to Apple’s ecosystem.
Do both people need an Apple TV+ subscription?
Yes. Even if you’re on a Family Sharing plan, each person must be signed into the Apple TV+ app with their own Apple ID that has access to the subscription. If someone doesn’t have access, they’ll see a prompt to subscribe when they try to join.
Can I use SharePlay with more than two people?
Yes. You can have up to 32 people in a single SharePlay session. But keep in mind: the more people, the more likely someone’s connection will cause lag. For the smoothest experience, stick to 5-10 people.
Does SharePlay work with live events on Apple TV+?
Yes. Apple TV+ occasionally streams live events like product launches or special performances. SharePlay works with these too. You and your friends can watch the new MacBook reveal together and react in real time - no delays, no buffering.
Why can’t I see the SharePlay button on my screen?
The SharePlay button only appears when you’re in a FaceTime call and playing content from the Apple TV+ app. Make sure you’re not using the Apple TV app (which is for third-party content), and that your device is updated to iOS 15 or later. Also, check that FaceTime is working - if your call is audio-only, the button may still appear, but video sharing won’t work.
