In today’s digital age, shared experiences like watching movies and TV shows with friends and family have become more important than ever. One popular way to stay connected while watching your favorite content together is through FaceTime. But if you’ve been wondering “can you watch Netflix on FaceTime?”, you might be a bit disappointed to know that the answer is officially no. FaceTime does not directly support Netflix or other streaming services, making it tricky to co-watch content. But don’t worry—there are several workarounds that can still help you enjoy Netflix together over FaceTime. Let’s dive into how you can make it work and explore a few alternatives!
Can You Watch Netflix on FaceTime?
As of now, FaceTime doesn’t natively support watching Netflix or any other streaming platforms. FaceTime is primarily designed for video calls, and it doesn’t have the built-in features to allow you to stream content in sync with someone else. Apple’s FaceTime application doesn’t support content sharing from streaming services like Netflix, meaning that you can’t simply play a Netflix video and share it directly with a friend over FaceTime.
However, can you watch Netflix on FaceTime in other ways? Yes, while FaceTime itself won’t allow you to directly stream Netflix, there are a few workarounds to get the co-watching experience you’re looking for.
Workaround to Watch Netflix Together on FaceTime
Although you can’t directly stream Netflix via FaceTime, you can still find clever solutions to watch Netflix together. A popular method involves offline co-watching with the help of download tools and then using FaceTime to chat and sync up.
Step 1: Download Netflix Content for Offline Viewing
The first part of the solution involves getting Netflix content onto your device so you can watch it without relying on a constant internet connection. This is especially helpful if you are both trying to watch the same show but may have different internet speeds or may be in a location where streaming is not optimal. To do this, you’ll need a Netflix downloader.
CleverGet Netflix Downloader is one such tool that can help you easily download Netflix movies and shows to your Mac. This allows you to store the videos locally, making them accessible for offline viewing, without the DRM restrictions typically associated with Netflix downloads.
How to download Netflix videos:
- Install CleverGet Netflix Downloader on your Mac.
- Open the downloader and log in to your Netflix account.
- Browse Netflix content and select the video you want to download.
- Click Download and wait for the file to be saved to your Mac.
For a detailed guide on how to download Netflix on Mac, visit the linked page to get started.
Once you have the videos saved on your device, you can begin the next step.
Step 2: Set Up FaceTime and Start the Co-Watching Experience
After downloading your Netflix content, the next step is to sync up with your friend or family member via FaceTime. While FaceTime doesn’t have an integrated screen-sharing feature for video streaming, you can share your screen manually to show them the Netflix video.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open FaceTime and start a video call with the person you want to watch Netflix with.
- Once you’re on the call, open the downloaded Netflix video on your device.
- On your Mac, swipe down to reveal the Control Center, then select Screen Mirroring or use the appropriate screen-sharing feature in the FaceTime app. Share your screen with the person you’re talking to.
- Both of you can now start the movie, pausing or playing at the same time for synchronized viewing.
Two Alternatives to Netflix Shareplay for Co-Watching
If you want more seamless co-watching experiences, there are a few alternative methods to share Netflix with friends or family without directly relying on FaceTime. Here are two options that can make Netflix SharePlay more enjoyable.
1. Video Sync Tool (Teleparty)
Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party) is a free video sync tool designed to help people watch Netflix together remotely. While FaceTime allows you to chat with your friend, Teleparty handles the syncing of video playback, making it easier to watch Netflix together without having to worry about pausing and restarting the video at the same time.
Here’s how Teleparty works:
- Both you and your friend need to install the Teleparty extension on your browser (it works on Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera).
- Once installed, open Netflix in your browser and start playing the show or movie you want to watch.
- Click on the Teleparty extension in the toolbar, and invite your friends by sharing a link.
- The extension will sync the video playback, so everyone is watching the same content at the same time, even though you’re miles apart.
This is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to watch Netflix together without worrying about timing. However, everyone must have a Netflix account to use this tool.
2. Screen-Sharing Apps (Zoom/Discord/Telegram)
Another alternative to Netflix SharePlay is using screen-sharing apps like Zoom, Discord, or Telegram. These platforms allow you to share your screen in real-time, which means you can play Netflix content on your device and stream it to the other person via a video call.
Here’s how you can share Netflix on Zoom or Discord:
- Set up a video call with your friend using either Zoom or Discord.
- Share your screen by selecting the window where Netflix is playing.
- Start watching Netflix and use the pause/play buttons to synchronize the video.
Zoom and Discord both offer the ability to share your screen, but there are some limitations. Zoom has a 40-minute limit for free accounts, so you’ll need to start a new meeting if you’re watching for longer periods.
On Discord, screen sharing is available in voice channels, and you can stream at up to 1080p for Nitro users. This method is great for long viewing sessions, and it’s completely free.
FAQs: Answering Your Co-Watching Questions
1. Why is Netflix screen sharing showing a black screen?
If you’re trying to screen share Netflix and only see a black screen, this is most likely due to DRM protection. Many streaming services, including Netflix, use Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent unauthorized sharing of their content. The best way to fix this issue is by downloading the Netflix content for offline viewing, using a tool like CleverGet Netflix Downloader.
2. Does everyone need Netflix to use the video sync tool?
Yes, if you’re using a video sync tool like Teleparty, everyone must have a Netflix account. The tool doesn’t bypass the need for an account; instead, it synchronizes playback so everyone can watch together.
3. Can you transfer CleverGet’s downloaded files?
Yes, you can easily transfer the files downloaded via CleverGet Netflix Downloader to other devices. You can use a USB drive, cloud storage, or file transfer apps to move the videos to your preferred device.
Conclusion
Although Netflix SharePlay and FaceTime don’t work seamlessly together at the moment, you have several workarounds to still enjoy Netflix with friends and family. Using tools like CleverGet Netflix Downloader and video sync tools like Teleparty, or even leveraging screen-sharing apps like Zoom or Discord, can make co-watching Netflix easy and fun.
If you want to watch Netflix offline, CleverGet offers a fantastic solution for downloading Netflix videos onto your Mac or other devices. To get started, check out CleverGet Netflix Downloader for more details. Also, for Netflix streaming on Mac devices, explore how to download Netflix on Mac.
