How to use SharePlay to watch, listen, and play together in FaceTime on iPhone

With SharePlay in the FaceTime app, you can stream TV shows, movies, and music in sync with friends and family while on a FaceTime call. You can also play supported multiplayer games in Game Center with friends during a FaceTime call, and watch supported live sports events together.

If you’ve started watching a video together, you can move it to the big screen of Apple TV 4K. And when you listen to music together, anyone with access can see what’s next and add songs to a shared queue.

Note: You can start SharePlay instantly by holding two iPhones together.

SharePlay can also be used in other apps during a FaceTime call. To see which apps are supported, tap the More button, tap SharePlay, then scroll through the apps.

Note: Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+, which in some countries and regions includes Friday Night Baseball, Sunday Night Soccer, or both), MLS Season Pass (which includes Sunday Night Soccer), Apple TV channels, and some apps that support SharePlay require a subscription. To watch a movie, TV show, or live sports event together, every participant needs to have access to the content on their own device, through either a subscription or purchase, on a device that meets the minimum system requirements.

According to Apple, SharePlay may not support the sharing of some movies, TV shows, or live sports events across different countries or regions. FaceTime, Group FaceTime, some FaceTime features, and other Apple services may not be available in all countries or regions.

Watch video together during a FaceTime call

When you’re on a FaceTime call, you and your friends and family can watch movies and TV shows in sync, along with supported live sports events.

1. Start a FaceTime call or a Group FaceTime call.
2. Tap the More button, tap SharePlay, and then tap an app below Listen and Play Together (for example, the Apple TV app).

   Alternatively, you can go to the Home Screen, then open a video streaming app that supports SharePlay.

3. Select a show, movie, or live sports event that you want to watch.
4. Tap the Play button. Then select SharePlay (if it appears) to begin watching with everyone on the call. (Others on the call may have to tap Join SharePlay to see the video.)

The video starts playing at the same time for everyone on the call with access to the content. Anyone without access gets asked to get it (through a subscription, a transaction, or a free trial, if available).

Each person watching the content can use the playback controls to play, pause, rewind, or fast-forward. (Settings like closed captioning and volume are controlled separately by each person.)

With Picture in Picture, the video keeps playing while you use another app. You can check your email, order food, or hop into the Messages app and talk about the video by text if you’d rather not interrupt the sound of the movie or TV show.

Invite friends to watch video together from a supported app during a FaceTime call

While you’re browsing or watching video content in the Apple TV app (or other supported video app), you can start a FaceTime call and use SharePlay to share the item in sync with others. Your iPhone needs to meet the minimum system requirements, and everyone on the call needs the same type of access to the content, through either a subscription or purchase, on their own device.

1. In the Apple TV app (or other supported video app), find a show, movie, or live sports event that you want to share.
2. Tap the item to see its details, tap the Share button, and then tap the SharePlay button.
3. In the To field, enter the contacts you want to share with. Tap FaceTime.
4. When the FaceTime call connects, tap Start or Play to begin using SharePlay.

To begin viewing, recipients tap Open.

Note: If the content requires a subscription, people who aren’t subscribers can subscribe before watching.

Once the video’s playing, you can stream it to Apple TV 4K.

Send what you’re watching in SharePlay to Apple TV 4K

Already watching a video together on iPhone? Send it to Apple TV 4K and enjoy it on the big screen.

To send it to the big screen from your iPhone, do one of the following:

• In the streaming app, tap the AirPlay button, then choose Apple TV as the playback destination.
• Open Control Center, tap the AirPlay button, then choose Apple TV as the playback destination.

While the video plays in sync on Apple TV 4K, you can carry on the conversation on your iPhone.

Listen to music together during a FaceTime call

On a FaceTime call, you and others can get together and listen to an album or favorite playlist. Anyone on the call can listen along, add songs to a shared queue, see what’s next, and more if they have access to the music (through a subscription, a transaction, or a free trial, for example) on a device that meets the minimum system requirements.

1. Start a FaceTime call or a Group FaceTime call.
2. Tap the More button and tap SharePlay. Tap a music streaming app below Listen and Play Together (for example, the Music app).

   Alternatively, you can go to the Home Screen, then open a music streaming app that supports SharePlay.

3. Select the music you want to listen to and then tap the Play button to begin listening to the music together. (Others on the call may have to tap Join SharePlay to hear the music.)

The music starts at the same time for everyone on the call who can access it. If someone doesn’t have access, they’re asked to get it (through a subscription, a transaction, or a free trial, if available).

Each person can use the music controls to pause, rewind, fast-forward, scrub to a different part of the song, or go to the next track. And anyone on the call can add songs to the shared queue.

Invite friends to listen to music together from a supported app during a FaceTime call

From the Music app (or other supported music app), you can start a FaceTime call and play music in sync with others on the call using SharePlay, if your iPhone meets the minimum system requirements. Everyone can use the music controls to rewind, pause, fast-forward, or scrub to another part of the song. And with SharePlay, anyone can add songs to the shared queue. Just keep in mind that the people you share with need access to the music (through a subscription, for example).

1. Go to the Music app (or other supported music app). Tap the music you want to share.
2. Tap the More button, tap the Share button then tap the SharePlay button.
3. In the To field, enter the contacts you want to share with. Tap FaceTime.
4. When the FaceTime call connects, tap Start.

To begin listening, recipients tap the song title at the top of the FaceTime controls, then tap Open. The music starts playing at the same time for everyone on the call who has access to the content.

Note: People who don’t have access to the content you share are asked to get access.

Play games in Game Center with friends during a FaceTime call

Playing supported multiplayer games on a FaceTime call takes a little setup. First, set up and manage your Game Center profile in the Settings app and add friends. Then find a supported multiplayer game for Game Center in the App Store and download it.

During a FaceTime call, open the game, tap Start SharePlay, then follow the onscreen instructions.

SharePlay lets you work out with others using Apple Fitness+.

During the conversation, you can also share your screen to show apps, webpages, and more.