How to FaceTime Screen Share with SharePlay on iPhone

Can you screen share on FaceTime? You can! Here's how to use FaceTime to screen share with Apple's new SharePlay feature on your iPhone. You'll be able to watch videos together, stream movies, or have a virtual dance party!

Related: FaceTime Guide for iPhone & iPad: Making Group Calls, Using Audio or Video & More

How to Share Screen on FaceTime with SharePlay on iPhone & iPad

What is SharePlay for FaceTime, and how do you use it to screen share on an iPhone or iPad? SharePlay is a feature that allows iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and even Apple TV users to watch movies and TV shows together, or listen to music, all in sync within a FaceTime call. Here's how to share your screen on FaceTime with SharePlay, one of the most fun FaceTime features. For more great FaceTime tutorials, check out our free Tip of the Day

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FaceTime & SharePlay System Requirements

What Apps Support SharePlay?

There's a limited list of streaming apps that support SharePlay at this time, but the feature is gradually expanding to more services and apps. All parties in the call need to have the chosen streaming app installed on their device to share the content. Subscription-based apps on this list only work if everyone in the call has an account. 

How to Watch Together or Listen Together in a FaceTime Call

Using the SharePlay feature in a FaceTime call on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch can vary a bit from app to app. For this tutorial, I'll show you how to use SharePlay with TikTok. 

Make a FaceTime call on your iPhone or iPad as you usually would.

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the FaceTime call.

    swipe up from the bottom of the FaceTime call
     
  2. Tap the streaming app that supports SharePlay.

    tap the streaming app that supports shareplay
     
  3. Select the TV show, movie, or music you want to stream.
  4. Tap SharePlay or Share My Screen if prompted. 

    tap share my screen
     
  5. Now, everyone on the FaceTime call will see the streaming content you've shared.

    shared tiktok facetime streaming

Everyone watching should be able to control the streaming video or music controls like play, pause, rewind, or fast forward. Closed captioning and volume are set on individual devices. These controls are still a bit glitchy. For example, when I shared a TikTok video with my coworker Ashleigh using SharePlay for FaceTime, she was unable to use the play, pause, skip, or replay controls. We've also covered how to watch a movie on SharePlay with the Apple TV app, how to use SharePlay via Messages, and how to screen share via Mac.

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Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.