Apple has introduced many new features in FaceTime. The highlighted advancements are its revamped design, new functionality to make FaceTime calls from iPhone to Android, and SmartPlay feature for watching movies and TV shows together on FaceTime. FaceTime looks all set to compete with video conferencing apps like Google Meet and Zoom. Now, with the help of SharePlay, you can enjoy a Facetime Watch party that is watching your favorite movies and TV shows with your friends and loved ones.
What is SharePlay and How it Works?
SharePlay is designed for the users to listen to their favorite songs with Apple Music, share their screen, and watching movies and TV shows together while having a FaceTime call. SharePlay offers real-time connections for seamless play. It offers pretty neatly shared playback controls that enable anyone on the video call to play, pause, or jump ahead quickly. Moreover, SharePlay also supports Apple TV to allow users to watch movies and shows on a big screen.
However, this feature isn’t new as services like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ have already offered the co-watching feature for a long time. Apple has made some advancements regarding deep integration with the ability to offer seamless play on several devices, including iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
Supported Services
SharePlay doesn’t only support Apple TV and Apple Music, but it also supports several third-party video services with the help of an API. SharePlay supports the following popular streaming services:
- Hulu
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Pluto TV
- Twitch
- NBA TV
- Paramount+
- MasterClass
- TikTok
- ESPN+
However, it doesn’t support watching Netflix on a FaceTime call yet, maybe in the near future. Also, Shopify is expected to join the party soon.
Can Windows and Android Users Join FaceTime Watch Party?
Unfortunately No! At this time, Apple only allows iPhone users to make FaceTime calls to Windows and Android users, but you can’t watch your favorite movies and TV shows together.
SharePlay is compatible with iOS, macOS, and iPadOS, and users can also connect their Apple TV.
How to Create and Start a Watch Party on FaceTime:
Open the FaceTime application on your Apple device.
You can create a link and share it with your friends to join the watch party.
You can also tap on “New FaceTime” and invite your friends to join a group video call.
Once the FaceTime watch party has been initiated, tap on the “i” button that you can find next to the shareable link.
Now choose the Share Link option.
After that, the iOS share sheet allows users to share the FaceTime watch party through several channels like WhatsApp, iMessage, text, Messenger, email, and more. You can share the link with your friends through any medium.
Now, your friends will be able to join the watch party. Once all of your friends have joined the party, you can launch any supported video streaming apps. Choose anything you want to watch together and have fun.
Remember, anyone on the call can play, pause, forward, or rewind the show with the help of shared controls. So, if anybody on the call needs a break, it’s easy to pause the show and resume again.
Enjoy FaceTime Watch Party via SharePlay
So, this is how you can create your own watch party by staying at your home through FaceTime SharePlay. Now, you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows together with your friends and loved ones. Create a watch party anytime and enjoy the co-watching feature. If you have any questions or feedback, please drop your comments below!
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
