If you can not physically near loved ones this year during the holidays — we still have plenty pandemic, after all—One way to stay in touch is through video calls. Specifically, if your friends and family have an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, Apple recently introduced a new feature called SharePlay that lets you do more than catch up.
During a FaceTime call, you can share your screen to show Grandma those interactive photos. SharePlay also lets you watch movies, listen to music, or browse TikTok with friends and family even when you’re miles apart. It’s a powerful tool that makes it easier to organize virtual listening or viewing parties (Hawk Eye, whoever?). Here’s how to set it up and use it.
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Update your Apple device
SharePlay is part of iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, and MacOS Monterey 12.1. If you haven’t updated your Apple device recently, you’ll have to do it first to use the new feature. To check your current version, visit Setting, overview, Aboutand check Software version on your iPhone or iPad. If it says 15.1 or later, you’re all set. On a Mac, go to the Apple icon in the menu bar and click About this Mac. If it says Version 12.1 or later, you can already access SharePlay.
If your software is out of date, don’t worry. First, back up your device. Our guide here outlines the process for iPhone and iPad. For Macs, open System Preferences after hovering over the Apple icon, click Apple IDand choose iCloud Drive. Make sure everything you want to back up is checked. Next, on your iPhone or iPad, go to Setting, overview, Software updatesand follow the steps to install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. On a Mac, go to System Preferences, Software updatesand click Update now.
Now that your device has the latest version, you’re ready to use SharePlay.
What is SharePlay?
SharePlay is a function built into Apple’s FaceTime video calling app. It’s on by default, but you can make sure it’s on by going to Setting, FaceTime, SharePlay on iPhone and iPad. On a Mac, open FaceTime, go to the Menu bar, click FaceTime, Interest, and SharePlay.
SharePlay lets you share your screen during FaceTime calls, look through photos in Apple’s Photos app, watch movies or slideshows in real time with synchronized playback and shared controls. share, listen to a new album together, or even practice at the same time. All Apple apps support the feature, but third-party apps will need to support the feature individually. You can find a curated list of such apps in the App Store (just search SharePlay and find Great App for iOS 15’s SharePlay collections), but you should tap your user icon in the top right of the App Store and tap Update all to make sure your apps are also running the latest version.
How to use SharePlay
There is no button to press specifically to start SharePlay. Instead, SharePlay can only be accessed while you’re on a FaceTime video call.
How to share your screen in FaceTime
To share your screen during a FaceTime call, tap the button at the far right of the video call controls, and then tap Share my screen. The timer will start and when it hits 0, you can swipe up to go to the home screen and the people on the other end of the call will be able to see your screen. You’ll be happy to know that they won’t be able to see any incoming notifications, and if you swipe down on the notification bar, it will pause the screen sharing session.
There is a purple bubble at the top left of the status bar to indicate that you are currently sharing your screen. Tap this and you can find the video call controls again to stop sharing your screen.
How to watch movies, listen to music and use the SharePlay app
If you want to watch something or stream music with friends or family during a FaceTime call, you’ll need to make sure they have the app first. Some apps will require all parties to be subscribers, but others may allow a limited number of free SharePlay sessions per month. If you try to start a SharePlay session but nothing happens to the person you’re video calling, it’s most likely because they don’t have the app installed.
How exactly do you start a SharePlay session? If the app you’re using is supported, just open it during your video call and you’ll see a banner message that says “Select content to use SharePlay” or “Will share automatically.” moving”. Tap the movie you want to watch on Disney+, the song you want to listen to on Spotify, the workout you want to try in Fitness+, or just open TikTok to browse the meme. The person you are chatting with will see the option Join SharePlay. Ask them to mine it.
