How to Start SharePlay Using AirDrop on iPhone

SharePlay lets you watch movies, listen to music, or share your screen with friends and family in real time over FaceTime. AirDrop is the quickest way to start a SharePlay session when everyone is in the same room, because it sends a direct invitation to nearby iPhones without needing to search for contacts. This guide walks you through starting a SharePlay session using AirDrop, covering what you need, the exact steps, and what to do if something goes wrong.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone (or iPad) running iOS 15.1 or later, or iPadOS 15.1 or later.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on for all devices involved. AirDrop uses both to find and transfer to nearby devices.
Both devices must be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, or have AirDrop set to receive from “Everyone” or “Contacts Only” with the other person in your contacts.
A compatible app that supports SharePlay, such as Apple TV, Music, or a third-party streaming app that has added SharePlay support.
An active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) for streaming content.

Step-by-Step

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. Tap the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons so they are highlighted (blue). Both must be active for AirDrop to work.
Set AirDrop to receive from everyone (optional). In Control Center, press and hold the network settings card (the box with the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode icons). Tap “AirDrop” and choose “Everyone” if the other person is not in your contacts. If they are in your contacts, “Contacts Only” will work. After the session, you can change this back to “Off” or “Contacts Only” for privacy.
Open the app you want to share. Launch a SharePlay-compatible app, like the Apple TV app, and start playing a movie or show. Pause it before continuing to the next step.
Start a FaceTime call. Open the FaceTime app and start a call with the person you want to share with. You can also start a FaceTime call from within the app by tapping the SharePlay icon (a person with a plus sign) if it appears, but starting from the FaceTime app is the most reliable method.
Open the SharePlay menu. While the FaceTime call is active, return to the app you opened in step 3 (if you left it). Tap the SharePlay icon in the app’s interface. It usually looks like a rectangle with a person silhouette and a plus sign, or it may be labeled “SharePlay.”
Choose AirDrop. A menu will appear with options to invite people. Select “AirDrop.” Your iPhone will now search for nearby devices that are available for AirDrop.
Select the recipient’s device. A list of nearby devices will appear. Tap the name or icon of the person you are on the FaceTime call with. A preview of the content you are sharing may appear on their screen.
Accept the invitation. On the other person’s iPhone, a notification will appear asking them to join the SharePlay session. They should tap “Open” or “Join” to accept. The content will begin playing in sync on both devices, and playback controls will be shared.
Control playback together. Once connected, either person can play, pause, rewind, or fast-forward. The volume controls remain separate for each person, so you can adjust your own volume without affecting the other person.

Common Mistakes

AirDrop not finding the other device: This is often because Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is off, or because AirDrop is set to “Receiving Off.” Double-check both settings on both devices.
Using a non-compatible app: Not every app supports SharePlay. If you do not see the SharePlay icon, the app likely does not support it. Stick to Apple’s apps or well-known streaming services that advertise SharePlay support.
Starting SharePlay before the FaceTime call: You must be on an active FaceTime call for SharePlay to work. AirDrop alone cannot start a SharePlay session; it only sends the invitation over the existing call.
Both devices on different Apple IDs: If the devices are not signed in with the same Apple ID and AirDrop is set to “Contacts Only,” the recipient must be in your contacts. If they are not, the invitation may not appear.
Content region restrictions: If the movie or song is not available in the recipient’s country or region, SharePlay may fail. Both users need access to the same content.

Tips

Use “Everyone” temporarily: If you are having trouble connecting, set AirDrop to “Everyone” on both devices for the duration of the setup, then switch it back to “Contacts Only” afterward.
Keep devices close: AirDrop works best within about 30 feet (9 meters). Move closer together if the devices are not finding each other.
Check for updates: Ensure both iPhones are running a recent version of iOS. Older versions may have bugs that were fixed in later updates.
Use the same Wi-Fi network: While not strictly required, being on the same Wi-Fi network can make the initial connection more reliable.
Pause before inviting: Pausing the content before sending the AirDrop invitation gives the recipient time to accept before the content starts playing, which feels less chaotic.

Troubleshooting

AirDrop does not show the other person’s device. First, confirm both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on. Then, check AirDrop settings on both: set to “Everyone” temporarily. If the device still does not appear, restart both iPhones by holding the side button and one of the volume buttons, then sliding to power off. Turn them back on and try again.

The invitation is sent, but the other person does not receive it. This usually means the AirDrop setting on the receiving device is too restrictive. Ask them to set AirDrop to “Everyone” and try again. Also, make sure they are not in the middle of another AirDrop transfer, as that can block new invitations.

The recipient accepts, but the content does not play. This can happen if the recipient does not have access to the content (e.g., it is a rental or purchase they have not made, or it is region-locked). It can also happen if the app is not fully updated. Have the recipient update the app and try again.

SharePlay starts but audio is out of sync. This is rare but can happen with a weak internet connection. Both users should check their Wi-Fi signal strength. Moving closer to the router or switching to a 5GHz band can help.

The SharePlay icon is missing. If you are in a compatible app and on a FaceTime call, but the icon is not there, close the app completely (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app away) and reopen it. If it still does not appear, restart the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirDrop to start SharePlay without a FaceTime call? No. SharePlay requires an active FaceTime call to coordinate the session. AirDrop is only used as the method to send the invitation over that existing call.

Does SharePlay work with third-party apps like Netflix or YouTube? Some do, but not all. Apps must explicitly add SharePlay support. Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and many others support it, but you should check the app’s settings or documentation to confirm.

Can I use SharePlay with more than two people? Yes. You can start a group FaceTime call and invite multiple people to the same SharePlay session. The process is the same, but you will select multiple recipients in the AirDrop list.

What if the other person is not in my contacts? Set AirDrop to “Everyone” on both devices. This allows any nearby device to receive the invitation, not just those in your contacts.

Does SharePlay work over cellular data? Yes, it works over both Wi-Fi and cellular. However, streaming high-quality video over cellular may use significant data, so check your data plan limits.

Can I share my screen instead of a movie? Yes, SharePlay supports screen sharing. During a FaceTime call, tap the screen-sharing icon (a rectangle with a person inside) to share your entire screen. This is useful for browsing photos or showing an app, but it is not the same as the media-sharing feature described above.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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