How to use SharePlay

The flagship feature of Apple's fall updates (including iOS 15, iPadOS 15, tvOS 15, and macOS Monterey) is SharePlay. This is a new software feature on top of FaceTime that lets you watch and listen to movies, TV shows, music, podcasts and more with friends and family while chatting over video.

Right now, the number of apps compatible with SharePlay is a pretty small list:the Apple TV app for movies and TV shows, the Apple Music app for music and Apple's Podcasts app for podcasts. The company promises more prominent third-party partners when iOS 15 launches this fall, including HBO Max, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, TikTok, and Twitch. However, some big names seem to be jumping for now:notably Netflix and YouTube.

For now, if you want to try it, here's how.

SharePlay with iOS

Image:Apple

To use SharePlay on an iPhone or iPad, first ensure that all call participants are using iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
Next, start a FaceTime call — one-on-one or in a group — with everyone you want to watch or listen with.
Once you've done that, exit the FaceTime call (which will automatically move to a picture-in-picture window) and head to a SharePlay-enabled app.
After that, playing something on SharePlay is as easy as watching or listening alone:just select the content you want, and it will play for everyone.
Controlling a SharePlay stream simply requires you to play, pause, and skip as you normally would. SharePlay automatically syncs everyone's streams so that if one person stops for a snack, the movie stops for everyone.

You have two options for ending a stream:either end it for everyone when calling SharePlay, or end it just for you (letting everyone continue watching ).

SharePlay with macOS

Using SharePlay on macOS Monterey works the same way as iOS and iPadOS:you'll need to start a FaceTime call, launch a compatible app, and play content that everyone on the call can access.

When you're in a SharePlay session, you'll be able to access call controls through a menu bar icon (instead of the context menu that appears on iOS and iPadOS).

Image:Apple

SharePlay with Apple TV

Using SharePlay with an Apple TV works a bit differently than other platforms, as you can't actually start (or join) a FaceTime call through an Apple TV itself. same. Instead, when using FaceTiming on a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac with SharePlay, Apple TV will give you the option to transfer the media portion of that call to the bigger screen through Control Center.

To access it:

Just follow the steps above to start a SharePlay FaceTime call.
Then press and hold the TV button on your Apple TV remote. From here you can select the new SharePlay icon.

Image:Apple

It's important to note that only the music or movie you're watching will play on Apple TV. Your FaceTime video will still play on the Mac, iPhone, or iPad you started with.