iOS 15.1 finally brings SharePlay to FaceTime – here’s how to use it

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One of the new features Apple promised with the release of iOS 15 was SharePlay, which lets you share your screen with others on a FaceTime call so you can listen to music or watch videos. It wasn’t quite ready for launch but with the release of iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1, it’s now ready for use.

SharePlay is still limited right now in the types of content you can share, and the apps that you can share from.

The limited list includes the usual suspects like YouTube, Showtime, and Apple TV, but not some of the big names like Netflix. That said, the list of supported apps will likely grow over time.

If you want to check out the feature for yourself, we’ve got you covered.

ShareTime is here, let’s show you how to use it

Start a FaceTime call on either your iPhone or iPad

You’ll see a new icon on the right of the top control bar, with a person in front of a screen. Tap on that, then on the drop-down button that will appear below it.

That will show off your Home screen, or you can open any of the supported apps to play music, watch videos, or play games together.

If you get prompted, tap the SharePlay button again while starting content in those apps.

You can also send the SharePlay feed to play on your Apple TV by holding down the TV/Control Center button to open the Control Center and selecting the SharePlay icon. Press Start on the Apple TV, then confirm on your iPhone/iPad.

To end SharePlay on your Apple TV, hold the TV/Control Center button to open Control Center, then select SharePlay and Stop SharePlay.

While you’re watching, playback controls are shared by everyone so things like play, pause, rewind, and fast forward will affect everybody’s playback. Closed captioning and volume settings will only change on your device.

SharePlay feels like the natural evolution of FaceTime to me, but it’s a shame that only some apps are supported at this time. Hopefully, that gets opened up to any app on your Apple devices, so you can use SharePlay for productivity as well as recreation.

That will make FaceTime a true video conferencing contender, and make it easier for companies to use Apple hardware for their staff.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.