Apple SharePlay is a fun new feature that enables people on FaceTime to watch videos or listen to music together. With synced playback and shared controls, it really feels like you’re experiencing it at the same time.
SharePlay, which is currently only available for iPhone/iPad, was released with iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 so make sure your device is up to date. It’s not yet available for Mac devices, but Apple says it will arrive in an update to macOS Monterey later this fall.
Enabling the feature on your Apple device is takes a few simple steps. Here’s how.
1. Start a FaceTime call on your iPhone/iPad
To start a FaceTime, open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad and tap “New FaceTime.” If the person you’d like to FaceTime with is already saved as a contact, type their name and tap it when it appears. If you don’t have it saved, you can type the person’s phone number or email address directly into the search.
Once you’ve found the person you’d like to FaceTime with, tap the camera icon to begin a video chat, or the phone icon if you just want to use audio.
2. Open a streaming app
With the other person still on the call, go back to your home screen by swiping up from the bottom of the screen for an iPhone or iPad with FaceID, or by pressing the home button for the older versions of the iPhone or iPad. From the home screen, open up the app that you want to share. SharePlay works with Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, NBA, Paramount+, SHOWTIME, TikTok, Twitch, and many others.
Note: Some apps with a subscription plan require everyone to have an account in order to access the content. You’ll know this is the case if it doesn’t play for the other party or if they’re prompted to sign up.
3. Start sharing
If you get a banner at the top of your device saying “Choose Content to Use SharePlay,” choose your content and tap play. The other person will be invited to “Join SharePlay” to access the content.
If it’s a streaming app like TikTok that automatically plays, tap the screen-sharing icon at the top and choose “Play for Everyone.”
Credit: Apple
Credit: Apple
4. Enjoy!
Whether it’s a movie, TV show, album, or fitness class, SharePlay will start playing for everyone on the call at the same time. All users can access the controls, so you can pause if you need to answer the door, or rewind if you missed something important. Plus, SharePlay also has Picture-in-Picture so you can use other apps while you’re watching or listening.
You can also send what you’re watching by tapping the AirPlay icon in the streaming app or in the control center. The video plays in sync on the TV so you can watch on the big screen while staying connected to FaceTime on your iPhone/iPad.
Credit: Apple