Disney fans can now stream Disney+ with friends and family remotely thanks to a new app update for iOS and Apple TV devices.
The update includes long-awaited support for Apple’s SharePlay, a FaceTime extension that lets users stream movies, TV shows and music together in sync while remaining on the video call.
Unlike the native in-app co-viewing GroupWatch feature, which Disney released last year, SharePlay can host up to 32 people in the FaceTime call, and can also allow each participant the flexibility to set the audio and subtitles to a language of their choice. GroupWatch will still be available to users streaming in the same country.
The Disney+ SharePlay update was released globally across the entire Disney+ catalog including the upcoming premiere of “Encanto” (Dec. 24) and “The Book of Boba Fett” (Dec. 29).
RELATED: Disney+ debuts GroupWatch co-viewing feature
“We’re very excited to launch SharePlay on Disney+ for Apple users in time for the holidays and ahead of several highly-anticipated premieres,” said Jerrell Jimerson, executive vice president of product and design at Disney Streaming, in a statement. “With thousands of movies and shows and a growing content catalog of new titles and originals, SharePlay provides another opportunity for personal friends and family around the world to come together and create new memories with their favorite stories on Disney+.”
SharePlay on Disney+ is available on the Apple TV, iPhone and iPad wherever Disney+ is available. Users must have a Disney+ subscription and iOS 15.1 or later, running on their Apple device to use the new SharePlay feature.
SharePlay is not accessible on any kids’ Disney+ profiles.
In addition to Disney+, SharePlay is also supported on AppleTV+, Hulu, Paramount+, Twitch, Pluto TV, HBO Max, TikTok, BET+, Showtime, Starz, MasterClass and ESPN Plus. Notably, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video do not currently support SharePlay.