How to Use SharePlay in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad

FaceTime got a big feature boost with updates to iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. Among the improvements, a new function called SharePlay caught everyone’s attention. It takes your video calling and party watching experience to the next level. Read on to learn how to use FaceTime and SharePlay on iPhone and iPad.

SharePlay opens up a new fun element among FaceTime users. Although not part of the official iOS 15 update, Apple enabled the feature on the iPhone after the iOS 15.1 update. Before we continue and show you how to use SharePlay, let’s first understand what SharePlay is.

What is SharePlay?

SharePlay is a new FaceTime functionality supported on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It allows you to share your device’s screen with others during a FaceTime call. SharePlay lets everyone watch movies and listen to songs together.

Everyone has separate control on their screen to pause or skip their preferences. On the surface it looks a lot like Spotify Group Sessions, but the beauty of SharePlay is that it works with all Apple media apps and other third-party services.

Apple has released Group Events APIs that allow developers to add SharePlay support to their apps. Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Twitch, TikTok etc. Some big media names, such as, have already announced that they have added SharePlay functionality to their applications.

As for this post, we’ll be using Apple Music and Apple TV as an example.

Enable SharePlay on iPhone

There is a SharePlay toggle in the iPhone Settings app that you need to enable to use the function. Here’s how to use it.

Stage 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.

Step 2: Go to the FaceTime menu.

Stage 3: Open FaceTime and tap SharePlay.

Step 4: Activate the SharePlay toggle in the menu below and you’re ready to share music and watch TV shows together over a FaceTime call.

Use SharePlay to Listen to Music on FaceTime

To take advantage of SharePlay functionality, make sure all participants are on the latest iOS/ipados/macOS. Now follow the steps below.

Stage 1: Open FaceTime on iPhone/iPad.

Step 2: To join a FaceTime call, tap Create Link and share the link with others.

Stage 3: After everyone joins the group video call, swipe up and return to the home screen.

Step 4: Open one of the supported apps. Here we will open Apple Music.

As you can see from the screenshot above, you will see an option to select content to use SharePlay. Once you start playing a song, you’ll notice the SharePlay icon at work in the FaceTime pop-up menu.

The music starts playing simultaneously for everyone on the call. Users must have a corresponding subscription to the streaming service. If not, the app will prompt you for a subscription, transaction, or free trial if available.

Playback controls are shared by anyone who has access to the search, so anyone can press Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward or skip to the next track.

Use SharePlay to Watch Videos Together

In the example above, we showed you how to use SharePlay to listen to music at the same time. Now we will show you how you can watch videos together over FaceTime using SharePlay.

Stage 1: Open FaceTime and create a group call.

Step 2: Once everyone has joined, open one of the SharePlay supported apps. In the example we will use the Apple TV app.

Stage 3: Select the show or movie you want to watch and tap the Play button.

Because you are on a FaceTime call, Apple TV will prompt you to Share TV content or to share the video just for you. When you tap SharePlay, other people on the call may need to tap Join SharePlay to see the video.

The video will begin playing for anyone with an active subscription to the Apple TV service. If available, people who don’t have access are asked to gain access (via subscription, transaction, or free trial).

Everyone in the FaceTime call has access to playback buttons, as well as subtitle and volume controls.

Once you hit the End button, you have the option to End SharePlay for you or everyone else.

Enjoy Virtual Party Over FaceTime

As of now SharePlay is limited to only a few apps. Major app developers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and Spotify are not on the support list. Although Apple has made FaceTime available for Android and Windows users, the SharePlay functionality will not work for users joining a FaceTime call using a non-Apple platform.