How to Use SharePlay: Watch Movies and Share Music on FaceTime Across iOS, Mac, and Apple TV

SharePlay debuted as a flagship feature in Apple's iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey updates. Built on FaceTime, it enables you to watch movies, TV shows, listen to music, podcasts, and more together with friends and family during video calls.

Compatible apps are limited for now: Apple TV app for movies and TV, Apple Music for music, and Apple Podcasts. Apple has announced future third-party integrations at iOS 15 launch, including HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, TikTok, and Twitch. Notably absent are Netflix and YouTube.

Here's how to get started with SharePlay today.

SharePlay on iOS and iPadOS

Image: Apple

Image: Apple

• Ensure all participants run iOS 15 or iPadOS 15.
• Start a FaceTime call—one-on-one or group—with everyone involved.
• Switch FaceTime to picture-in-picture, then open a SharePlay-compatible app.
• Play your chosen content; it automatically syncs and plays for the whole group.
• Control playback as usual—play, pause, skip—and it syncs for all. Need a break? Everyone pauses together.

End the SharePlay stream for everyone via the call controls, or just for yourself to let others continue.

SharePlay on macOS

SharePlay on macOS Monterey follows the same process: launch FaceTime, open a compatible app, and play accessible content.

During a session, access controls through the menu bar icon, unlike the contextual menus on iOS/iPadOS.

Image: Apple

SharePlay on Apple TV

Apple TV handles SharePlay differently since you can't start or join FaceTime calls directly on it. Begin the session on a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then transfer media to your TV via Control Center.

To do this:

• Follow the steps above to initiate a SharePlay FaceTime call.
• Press and hold the TV button on your Apple TV remote and select the SharePlay icon.

Image: Apple

Only the media (music or video) plays on Apple TV; your FaceTime video feed remains on the originating device.