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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo use video SharePlay on a television, you need an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later), tvOS 17.2 or later, a compatible iPhone or iPad for the FaceTime camera, and a supported app or title. Start or join a FaceTime call on Apple TV, open Control Center with the Siri Remote, choose FaceTime → More → SharePlay, select an app, and start playback.
“Apple TV” can mean the Apple TV set-top box, the Apple TV app, or Apple’s streaming service. This guide focuses on SharePlay with the Apple TV 4K set-top box, while also covering AirPlay alternatives and Apple Music’s separate in-home SharePlay feature.
Before you start: compatibility checklist
- Apple TV: Apple TV 4K, 2nd generation or later. Apple TV HD and earlier models are not listed as compatible with FaceTime on Apple TV.
- Software: tvOS 17.2 or later is required for FaceTime on Apple TV. Update the iPhone or iPad used as the camera as well.
- Camera device: iPhone XR or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation); iPad (8th generation or later); iPad mini (5th generation or later); iPad Air (3rd generation or later); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation or later); or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later). The device must also meet Apple’s relevant iOS or iPadOS requirements.
- FaceTime: The normal video SharePlay workflow takes place during a FaceTime call. The iPhone or iPad supplies the camera for the Apple TV.
- Content access: Each viewer generally needs access to the movie, show, channel, or live sports event through their own subscription, purchase, or eligible trial.
Support is not universal. It depends on the app, title, subscription, device, and country or region. A service can have an Apple TV app while a particular program remains unavailable through SharePlay. See Apple’s FaceTime on Apple TV requirements and its SharePlay content guidance.
How to start SharePlay directly on Apple TV 4K
- Open FaceTime on the Apple TV 4K.
- Start a FaceTime call or join an incoming call.
- When prompted, connect a compatible iPhone or iPad to use as the camera.
- During the call, press and hold the TV button on the Siri Remote to open Control Center.
- Select the FaceTime tab.
- Choose More, then select SharePlay.
- Choose the app you want to use, such as the Apple TV app or another app that supports SharePlay.
- Select a movie, television show, or supported live sports event.
- Start playback, or choose the on-screen option to begin SharePlay if one appears.
Everyone who joins should then see synchronized playback. The names and arrangement of icons can vary slightly between tvOS versions and apps, but the current Apple-described control path is More → SharePlay → choose the app. Apple’s FaceTime control guide shows the relevant controls.
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How to join someone else’s SharePlay session
If someone else starts the call, accept or join the FaceTime call first. Open the FaceTime controls on Apple TV and select SharePlay, or select the participating app when tvOS presents a joining prompt. Choose Join or the equivalent confirmation control.
On an iPhone or iPad, SharePlay may prompt you to open the supported app and join the session. Playback synchronizes after the app confirms that you can access the item. If you see a subscription or purchase request, you must obtain the required access on your own device; joining another person’s call does not necessarily transfer their entitlement to you.
How to move an existing SharePlay session to Apple TV
You do not have to start the session on Apple TV. If a FaceTime SharePlay call is already running on an iPhone or iPad, you can send the video to an Apple TV using AirPlay.
From iPhone or iPad
- Start or join the FaceTime SharePlay session.
- Open the supported streaming app and play the selected title.
- Tap the AirPlay button and select the Apple TV.
- If needed, open Control Center, tap the AirPlay control, and choose the Apple TV 4K.
This moves the video to the television while the FaceTime conversation can remain on the iPhone or iPad. It is useful when the native Apple TV FaceTime setup is inconvenient, but it is not identical to running FaceTime natively on Apple TV.
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From a Mac
- Start SharePlay in FaceTime on the Mac.
- Play the title in the Apple TV app.
- Move the pointer over the viewer window and select AirPlay.
- Choose the Apple TV 4K on the same network.
Apple notes that when SharePlay is sent from the Mac, Apple TV does not provide the same SharePlay notifications and Control Center controls as the native Apple TV workflow. See Apple’s Mac SharePlay and AirPlay instructions.
What each person can control
SharePlay synchronizes the group’s playback. Participants can generally play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward, with changes reflected for everyone.
Some settings remain personal. Each viewer normally controls their own:
- Volume
- Closed captions
- Audio options
- Accessibility settings
That means one participant can use captions or a different volume level without changing the viewing experience for the rest of the group. Apple describes the distinction between shared playback and individual viewing controls in its SharePlay controls documentation.
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What content works with SharePlay?
Potentially supported content includes:
- Movies and television shows
- Apple TV content and Apple TV channels
- Supported live sports events
- Some third-party streaming apps that implement SharePlay
- Apple Music
- Apple Fitness+ workouts
Do not assume that everything displayed in the Apple TV app can be shared. The app developer, title, distribution rights, subscription, and regional catalog all matter. Content may also be blocked when participants are in different countries or regions. Apple’s iPhone SharePlay guide explains the access and regional limitations.
Apple Music SharePlay: a different Apple TV feature
Apple Music SharePlay is designed for people in the same home. It lets guests use their iPhones or iPads to view what is playing, add songs to a shared queue, and control music on the Apple TV. It is separate from remote video watching over FaceTime.
Host setup
- Open Music on the Apple TV 4K.
- Start a song or open Now Playing.
- Show the playback controls by swiping down on the Siri Remote clickpad or touch surface.
- Select SharePlay.
- If prompted, set the profile name and icon guests will see.
- Ask guests to scan the QR code with the Camera app on an iPhone or iPad.
- Guests tap Connect.
- Approve each join request from the notification on Apple TV.
The host needs Apple Music for this documented in-home session. Apple says guests joining from their devices do not necessarily need their own Apple Music subscription. Guests can add music, manage the queue, and control playback after approval.
To end the session, open SharePlay in Music and choose Remove Guests, or remove an individual participant. A guest can also choose Pause or Disconnect on their device. Read Apple’s Apple Music SharePlay instructions for the television workflow.
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Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want faces and video on the television | Native Apple TV FaceTime SharePlay | Uses the compatible Apple TV 4K and iPhone or iPad camera. |
| A SharePlay call is already running on an iPhone or iPad | AirPlay to Apple TV | Moves the video without rebuilding the session on Apple TV. |
| You are watching in the Apple TV app on a Mac | Mac SharePlay plus AirPlay | Useful when the Mac is already hosting the call and playback. |
| People are together and want a shared music queue | Apple Music SharePlay | Guests join locally by scanning a QR code. |
| You want to exercise together | Supported Fitness+ SharePlay workflow | Fitness+ is a separate supported use case, not ordinary video SharePlay. |
SharePlay troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| SharePlay is missing | Unsupported Apple TV model, outdated tvOS, inactive FaceTime call, incompatible app or title, or unsupported camera device. | Confirm the Apple TV is 4K (2nd generation or later), update tvOS and iOS/iPadOS, restart and rejoin FaceTime, and test a known supported title. |
| A participant cannot watch | They lack their own access, the title is unavailable in their region, or their device or app is not supported. | Check the participant’s subscription or purchase, regional availability, app version, and device requirements. |
| The camera does not appear | The iPhone or iPad is incompatible, not connected, or has not been selected for FaceTime. | Reconnect a supported device and follow the Apple TV prompt to use it as the camera. |
| Playback is out of sync | Temporary session, app, or network problem. | Pause and resume, leave and rejoin SharePlay, close and reopen the app, restart the FaceTime call, or try a more stable network. |
| AirPlay cannot find Apple TV | The source device and Apple TV are not on the same network, or AirPlay is not available for the setup. | Verify the AirPlay destination and network, then try again from the app or Control Center. |
| Apple TV shows video but not the call | You are AirPlaying from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac rather than using native FaceTime on Apple TV. | Keep the conversation on the originating device, or start the call through FaceTime on a compatible Apple TV 4K. |
| Music guest cannot connect | The QR code was not scanned correctly or the host has not approved the request. | Make the QR code visible, rescan it with the iPhone or iPad Camera app, and approve the request on Apple TV. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth may also need attention if the device prompts for it. |
Important limitations to remember
- Native FaceTime SharePlay requires Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later); an Apple TV HD is not a supported replacement for this workflow.
- Every viewer generally needs access to the video content on their own compatible device.
- SharePlay support varies by app and title, even when the app is available on Apple TV.
- Catalogs and rights can differ by country or region.
- The iPhone or iPad used for FaceTime is operating as the camera, so consider where it is placed and what it can see.
- Playback is shared, but volume, captions, and some accessibility settings are individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SharePlay on Apple TV HD?
Not for the native FaceTime-on-Apple-TV workflow described here. Apple specifies Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later). You may still have other ways to watch together from a compatible device, depending on your television and AirPlay setup.
Do all viewers need an Apple TV?
No. The host can use a compatible Apple TV 4K while other participants join from supported iPhones, iPads, or Macs. Each participant still needs compatible software and access to the content.
Can I use SharePlay without FaceTime?
Remote group video SharePlay on Apple TV is primarily a FaceTime feature. Apple Music SharePlay is a separate local feature that uses a QR code and does not require a video call.
Can I use Netflix or another third-party app?
Only if the app and the particular title support SharePlay on the devices and in the regions involved. Availability is controlled by the app and content provider.
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Can I use SharePlay across different countries?
Sometimes, but not reliably for every title. Apple warns that some content cannot be shared across countries or regions because availability and rights differ.
Can guests control Apple Music on my Apple TV?
Yes. After the host approves them in the in-home Apple Music SharePlay session, guests can generally view playback, add songs, and manage the shared queue.
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