SharePlay is arguably one of the most important features developed for FaceTime. The new feature lets iPad, Mac, and iPhone users share screens to create virtual watch parties with friends and family. However, finding platforms that are compatible is still tough. So, can you watch Netflix shows or movies with SharePlay?
Netflix and SharePlay aren’t compatible, but other streaming services like HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, and Apple TV+ do work. Remember that in order to stream together, everyone must have an active subscription to the service being shared, and the app must be downloaded on their devices.
As you can see, SharePlay is a great opportunity to watch your favorite shows or movies over FaceTime. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly SharePlay does, whether you can stream Netflix through it, and which apps support the new feature.
What Is SharePlay?
SharePlay is a new FaceTime feature that allows you to share your screen with other people on a FaceTime call. Using SharePlay, you can show someone how to navigate through their phone’s settings, plan a trip together, show some specific documents, and do much more.
The feature also allows you to stream music, movies, and TV shows in sync with your friends and family, and it gives complete access to controls to everyone in the call.
SharePlay is becoming much more useful as third-party developers integrate it into their apps. The iPadOS 15.4 and iOS 15.4 update made SharePlay even better by bringing it to the Share Sheet.
In order to share your screen, you’ll first need to join or start a FaceTime call and then choose the ‘Share My Screen‘ option.
If you want to stream music or share any media from a supported service or app, you’ll need to join or start a FaceTime call, launch the app you want to use, and then select the ‘SharePlay‘ option on the pop-up.
However, there are a couple of requirements. All parties need to update their devices to iOS 15.1, and everyone must have a subscription to the streaming services you want to share. Despite these requirements, FaceTime’s newest feature seems poised to completely transform movie watching and video calling.
Can You Stream Netflix Through SharePlay?
Unfortunately, you can’t stream Netflix through SharePlay because the platform is not supported. This may be because Netflix is developing its own sharing technology that it would prefer its customers to utilize, although no official reason has been provided.
Which Apps Are Supported by SharePlay?
Apple and a few third-party developers have made several apps that are supported by SharePlay. However, some applications aren’t free or have subscriptions and in-app purchases, such as most video and music streaming services.
While all of the following applications are compatible with SharePlay, keep in mind that there may be other apps on your device aside from the ones listed below that allow you to share your screen through SharePlay.
Apple Apps
As expected, a few of Apple’s own apps are supported by SharePlay:
- Apple Music: Watch music videos and listen to the latest albums on Apple Music with your friends and family. The Apple Music Voice Plan isn’t compatible with SharePlay, and the feature only works on plans for individuals, families, and students.
- Apple TV+: Watch your favorite movies and Apple TV+ shows with other people.
- Apple Fitness: Exercise and work out with your friends or significant other.
TV Shows, Movies, and Videos
There are several third-party apps that let you host a virtual watch party with your friends and family. However, most of these apps require a subscription.
- BET+
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- MUBI: Curated Cinema
- Paramount+
- Pantaya
- Pluto TV (free)
- SHOWTIME
- Shudder
- STARZ
Concerts and Sports Games
If you want to virtually attend concerts, browse sports stats and scores, or watch all NFL games with your friends and family, then you’re in luck. There are some apps that let you watch concerts and sports programs over SharePlay. However, you’ll have to pay to use them.
- Digital Concert Hall (free version not compatible with SharePlay)
- ESPN: Live Sports and Scores (free version not compatible with SharePlay)
- NBA: Live Games and Scores (free version not compatible with SharePlay)
- UFC
That leaves a good number of concert and sports apps that unfortunately don’t work with SharePlay, including NFL, NBC Sports, Fox Sports, MLB, NHL, and CBS Sports App Scores and News.
Podcasts, Audio, and Music
Many apps for podcasts, audio, and music are supported by SharePlay, with Spotify being the most notable one. Here are a few others:
- BetterSleep: Relax and Sleep (free version supported)
- Meditation Moments (free version supported)
- Moon FM (free)
- Piano with Friends
- SoundCloud (must have SoundsCloud+)
- Spotify (free version not compatible with SharePlay)
- TuneIn Radio (free, but has in-app purchases)
- Unplug: Meditation
- Vinyls
Games
There are a few popular games that are compatible with SharePlay. Most of them are free, but they also have a few in-app purchases for extras:
- Guessing Game for SharePlay (free, but has in-app purchases)
- Shhh! (free, but has in-app purchases)
- Kahoot! Play and Create Quizzes (free, but has in-app purchases)
- Heads Up!
- Share+: YouTube on SharePlay (free, but has in-app purchases)
Social Media
Several different social media apps work with SharePlay. However, with the exception of Apollo, most just let you stream video content with your friends and family.
- Apollo for Reddit (free, but has in-app purchases)
- TikTok (free)
- Twitch: Live Game Streaming (free)
- Popshop Live (free)
Popular social media apps that don’t support SharePlay yet include Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Real Estate
You can look at pictures and browse through homes with your future roommates through SharePlay by using two of the biggest house-listing apps:
- Redfin (free)
- Zillow (free)
Unfortunately, there are a few house-listing apps that are not supported by SharePlay, such as Trulia Real Estate and Realtor.com. While you can still launch a real-estate app, share your device’s screen, and browse together that way, the experience won’t be as seamless as when you use an app that’s already compatible with SharePlay.
Will Netflix Work With SharePlay in the Future?
Netflix doesn’t offer any type of official shared viewing experience. While TeleParty and other third-party apps exist, they only work with laptops and not with any other streaming devices.
It could be possible that Netflix is developing its own version of SharePlay, which it will roll out at some point. And while screen sharing isn’t necessarily a feature that the streaming service needs, it could make Netflix look a lot better if it’s executed successfully.