How to play music together using SharePlay on iPhone

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:18 pm EAT by Abigail Shilets

You can use SharePlay while playing music on a HomePod, Apple TV 4K, or other third-party Bluetooth® speaker, and everyone can control the music with their iPhone.

Only the host needs to be an Apple Music subscriber. Everyone needs an iPhone with iOS 18 or later, an internet connection, and Bluetooth turned on, and participants can join SharePlay with the iPhone camera. And you can leave SharePlay whenever you want.

Before you begin

The host must have an iPhone with iOS 18 or later and be an Apple Music subscriber.
Participants must have an iPhone with iOS 18 or later, but don’t need to have an Apple Music subscription.
Everyone must have an internet connection and Bluetooth turned on.
Everyone must allow their contacts to discover them when playing music to a speaker—go to Settings > Apps > Music, then turn on Discoverable by Nearby Contacts if it isn’t on already.

Start SharePlay from Music on your iPhone

To play music together with SharePlay, you’ll start on your iPhone as the host.

Start the Music app on your iPhone.
While a song is playing, tap the MiniPlayer to open the Now Playing screen.
Tap the Playback Destination button and select a playback destination.

The music starts playing to the device you selected.
Tap the MiniPlayer to open the Now Playing screen. Tap the SharePlay button.

A QR code appears; tap the QR code to enlarge it.
To begin controlling the music, participants can scan the QR code on your iPhone.

Join SharePlay with the iPhone camera

Start the Camera app on your iPhone.
Point the camera at the QR code on an iPhone that’s already joined SharePlay.

A button appears below the picture of the QR code.
Tap the button, then tap Connect.

The host receives a notification and must tap the Checkmark button on their iPhone to allow you to join.

Quick tip: You only need to approve a participant to join SharePlay once. They’re automatically approved the next time they join.