PSA SharePlay Not Working on iOS 15? Fixes & Facts

If SharePlay isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 15, the most common causes are a missing FaceTime update, an incompatible app, or a setting that blocks the feature. The fix usually involves updating to at least iOS 15.1, enabling SharePlay in Screen Time, and ensuring both you and the person you’re calling are in the same region with supported apps. Below, we’ll break down exactly why SharePlay fails, how to troubleshoot it step by step, and answer the questions most people search for when this happens.

What Is SharePlay and How Did It Change in iOS 15?

SharePlay is Apple’s built-in way to share synchronized experiences during a FaceTime call. It lets you watch movies or TV shows together, listen to music in sync, or share your screen so both people see the same thing. When Apple announced it at WWDC 2021, it was one of the headline features of iOS 15. However, the initial release of iOS 15 on September 20, 2021 did not include SharePlay. Apple postponed it to a later update, and it finally arrived with iOS 15.1 on October 25, 2021. That delay is the single biggest reason why many people thought SharePlay was “not working” — they simply hadn’t updated to 15.1 or later.

Why SharePlay Won’t Start: The Most Common Causes

When SharePlay fails, it usually falls into one of these categories:

Software version too old: SharePlay requires iOS 15.1 or later on iPhone, iPadOS 15.1 on iPad, and macOS Monterey 12.1 on Mac. If you’re on iOS 15.0, you won’t see the option at all.
FaceTime not updated: Even on 15.1, some users found that FaceTime needed a separate update from the App Store. Go to the App Store, search for FaceTime, and tap Update if available.
Screen Time restrictions: If you have Screen Time enabled, SharePlay can be blocked. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and make sure FaceTime is toggled on. Also check that “SharePlay” under Allowed Apps is enabled (on some versions it appears as a separate toggle).
App not compatible: The app you’re trying to use must support SharePlay. Apple’s own apps (Apple TV, Music, Fitness) work, but many third-party apps like Netflix and YouTube did not support SharePlay at launch. Check if the app has a SharePlay icon or mentions it in the app’s description.
Region or account issues: SharePlay is available in most regions, but some content (like TV shows) may be restricted by your Apple ID region or the region of the person you’re calling. If you’re in different countries, some content may not be available.
FaceTime not active: You must be on an active FaceTime call. SharePlay doesn’t work in a regular phone call or a text conversation.

How to Fix SharePlay Not Working: Step-by-Step

Try these steps in order. After each one, attempt a SharePlay session again to see if it resolved the issue.

Update your device: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available iOS or iPadOS update. At least 15.1 is required, but Apple has released several updates since then that fixed bugs, so being on the latest version (like 15.6 or 16.x) is best.
Update FaceTime separately: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, then pull down to refresh. Scroll to see if FaceTime has an update. Install it if available.
Check Screen Time: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If it’s enabled, tap Allowed Apps and ensure FaceTime is green. Also look for a “SharePlay” toggle inside Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps (on some iOS versions it’s under “Allowed Apps” list). Turn it on if it’s off.
Restart FaceTime: Close the FaceTime app completely (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app away). Then reopen FaceTime and start a new call.
Use a supported app: Try SharePlay with Apple TV or Apple Music first. If those work, the problem is with the third-party app you were using.
Check that both parties are on compatible devices: SharePlay works on iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation). Both people need to be on a compatible device and a compatible OS version.
Toggle FaceTime off and on: Go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle FaceTime off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. This can refresh the connection.

SharePlay vs. Screen Sharing: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse SharePlay with screen sharing. Screen sharing is a separate feature that lets you show your entire screen to the other person during a FaceTime call. SharePlay, on the other hand, is for synchronized media playback. With SharePlay, both people see the same movie at the same time, and playback controls are shared (either person can pause or play). Screen sharing just mirrors your screen, so the other person sees whatever you’re doing, but there’s no synchronization of media controls. If you’re trying to watch a video on an app that doesn’t support SharePlay, you can still use screen sharing, but the video will play on your device and the other person will see it with a delay and possibly lower quality. For a true shared experience, you need SharePlay support.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“SharePlay is not available in my region” — Apple’s feature availability page lists SharePlay as available in many countries, but some content (like TV shows) may be geo-restricted. If you’re in a region where FaceTime is available, SharePlay should work, but the media you’re trying to share might not be.
“I updated to iOS 15 but still can’t find SharePlay” — Make sure you’re on 15.1 or later. Check Settings > General > About to see your exact version. If it says 15.0 or 15.0.1, you need to update.
“SharePlay works but the audio is out of sync” — This can happen if one person has a slow internet connection. Apple recommends a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Try both people on Wi-Fi if possible.
“I can’t start SharePlay from the FaceTime app” — SharePlay is not started from the FaceTime app itself. You start it from within a compatible app (like Apple TV) while you’re on a FaceTime call. In the app, look for a SharePlay icon (two overlapping people) and tap it.

Alternatives to SharePlay

If SharePlay continues to fail, you can still watch or listen together using alternative methods:

Screen sharing: As mentioned, you can share your screen and play a video. The other person sees it, but it’s not synchronized and may have lag.
Third-party apps: Apps like Disney+ and Hulu added SharePlay support later, but many still don’t. For those, you can use a third-party service like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) for browser-based syncing, but that requires a computer and doesn’t work in FaceTime.
Use a separate video call app: Apps like Zoom or Google Meet allow screen sharing, but they don’t have the same media sync features as SharePlay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is SharePlay not showing up on my iPhone?

SharePlay only appears in apps that support it, and only while you’re on an active FaceTime call. If you’re not on a call, you won’t see the SharePlay icon. Also, make sure you’re on iOS 15.1 or later, and that the app you’re using supports SharePlay. If you’re using a third-party app, check its App Store page for SharePlay mention.

Can I use SharePlay on iOS 15.0?

No. SharePlay was not included in the initial iOS 15 release. It was added in iOS 15.1. If you’re on iOS 15.0 or 15.0.1, you need to update to at least 15.1 to use SharePlay.

Does SharePlay work with Netflix or YouTube?

As of the latest iOS versions, Netflix and YouTube do not support SharePlay. They have their own sync features (like Netflix Party, but that’s for browsers). Apple’s own apps (Apple TV, Music) and some others like Disney+ and Hulu (at later dates) support SharePlay. Always check the app’s features.

Why does SharePlay say “Cannot Start SharePlay”?

This error usually appears when the app you’re using doesn’t support SharePlay, or when one of the participants has restrictions enabled. Check Screen Time settings on both devices, and try a different app. Also, ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network or have stable internet.

Can I use SharePlay with a friend in another country?

Yes, SharePlay works internationally as long as both devices are compatible and on iOS 15.1+. However, the content you’re sharing must be available in both regions. For example, a movie on Apple TV might be available in the US but not in another country, so SharePlay won’t work for that title.

Does SharePlay work on Mac?

Yes, SharePlay is available on Macs with macOS Monterey 12.1 or later. You can start a FaceTime call on your Mac and then use SharePlay in compatible apps. The steps are similar to iOS.

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →