With the latest macOS Monterey 12.1 beta update, the much anticipated SharePlay feature is finally live on FaceTime. This means you can now use SharePlay on FaceTime on macOS Monterey to watch movies or listen to music with your friends and loved ones. If you’re wondering how to set up a virtual watch party using Apple’s video calling app, we’ve covered this hands-on guide. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to use SharePlay.
Watch Movies and TV Shows Together Using FaceTime (2021)
First of all, let’s understand how SharePlay works on macOS Monterey and check the basic requirements to use this feature. Next, we can take a look at the steps to enable the feature and watch movies with your friends over FaceTime on your Mac. Use the table below to quickly jump to the section you want.
What is SharePlay and Does it Work on Mac?
SharePlay is a screen sharing feature that lets you watch movies and TV shows together over FaceTime. While this virtual clock party feature is exciting, it’s not a new concept. Other services, including Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, have been supporting co-watching features for some time now.
With seamless integration with Apple devices, including iPad, iPhone, Mac and Apple TV, SharePlay makes watching together a simple experience. Things I love about SharePlay synchronized playback and shared controls. They allow all users on a FaceTime call to seamlessly control playback and stream content simultaneously without any lag. That way, when one of the participants bursts into laughter, the others don’t scratch their heads. Yes, that’s exactly what puts SharePlay ahead of the curve.
Which Apps and Services Have SharePlay Support?
Currently, there are only a few apps and services that support SharePlay. With macOS 12 Monterey and iOS 15 still new, it’s only a matter of time before other streaming services join the party.
- extraordinary+
- NBA TV
- TikTok
- apple tv
- apple spore
- Show time
- Kahoot!
- miniature
- MUBI
- SmartGym
- Watch out!
- CARROT Weather
- Apollo
- night sky
- Flow
- Moon FM
- Digital Concert Hall
- Piano with Friends
- Relaxing Melodies
- To look
Note that some supported apps may require a subscription to enable co-tracking. Also remember that all SharePlay participants must have a subscription To join a watch party on FaceTime. Some movies and TV shows may not support SharePlay in different countries or regions.
Also, popular streaming apps like Disney+, ESPN, HBO Max, Hulu, MasterClass, Twitch and others will soon gain SharePlay support. As you may have noticed, Netflix is also missing from the content pool. There is currently no word on when it plans to introduce FaceTime SharePlay support.
Requirements for Using SharePlay on Your Mac
SharePlay requires you to run macOS 12.1, iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 on each device that will join the virtual watch party. So make sure your devices are running supported operating systems. macOS 12.1 is currently in beta testing and is expected to be available to all users in late November or early December.
Wondering if your friends with Android phones or Windows PCs can join the SharePlay session on FaceTime? Unfortunately they can’t. Although both macOS 12 and iOS 15 allow you to share FaceTime connections with Android and use FaceTime on Windows, the shared connections are only valid for audio/video calling. Unfortunately, non-Apple device users can neither participate in screen sharing nor join a watch party on FaceTime.
How to Enable SharePlay in FaceTime on your Mac
To get started, you first need to make sure SharePlay is enabled on your macOS Monterey device. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Start Face Time on your Mac.
2. Now, Face Time The menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Next, select preferences in the drop-down menu.
4. Next, SharePlay tab.
5. Here, SharePlay checkbox is marked. This means you can now use apps, listen to music or watch movies with your friends using SharePlay on FaceTime.
How to Use SharePlay to Watch Movies with Friends
1. To get started, open the FaceTime app on your Mac and start a FaceTime video call. Alternatively, you can create a link to join the watch party and share it with your friends.
2. After all your friends are on board, go to one of the supported apps listed above. We show you the steps to FaceTime share your screen using the Apple TV app on my macOS Monterey device.
3. Next, a SharePlay pop-up notification will appear saying: “Choose Content to Use SharePlay.”
4. Now, when you start playing any movie or TV show, you will see another popup with multiple options. From this popup, Click on “SharePlay” to allow everyone in the conversation to stream and watch the movie together.
5. All participants in a FaceTime call will now receive a prompt to join the watch party. Now, “Join SharePlay” Warning to watch the movie, TV show, documentary or anything else you decide to broadcast together.
Please! So you can use SharePlay to watch your favorite movies and TV shows with your friends on macOS Monterey. It is worth noting that you can follow the same steps to listen to music with your friends. So if you want to throw a music party, hop on a supported music streaming app like Apple Music.
Use Shared Playback Controls to Take Control of SharePlay
Playback controls are shared by anyone watching the content via SharePlay on FaceTime, anyone can pause, play, rewind and even fast forward. Note that settings such as subtitles and volume are available for each viewer separately.
You can also take advantage of the picture-in-picture feature to continue watching the video while using another app. So, while the movie is playing, you can check your email, send messages or order food without leaving the ongoing show.
How to End SharePlay on FaceTime on macOS Monterey
If you want to end the SharePlay session, you can do so easily. As the organizer, you can end the SharePlay session on FaceTime for yourself or for everyone. Here’s how it works:
- If you are the organizer, click the close button (the x button in the upper left corner of the screen) and click “Just Finish For Me” or “The End for All“According to your preference.
- And if you’re a participant, tap . end button On FaceTime to end the session and exit the call
Enjoy Watching Movies With Your Friends Using SharePlay
So you can set up and use SharePlay in FaceTime on your Mac running macOS 12 Monterey. While FaceTime has always been a premium video calling app, the introduction of SharePlay and the ability to invite non-Apple device users to join the call has made it more user-friendly than ever before. So, are you excited to try SharePlay on macOS or iOS devices? Check out the guide to watching movies and TV shows together on FaceTime on iOS 15 here.