Many of us are facing a long winter indoors thanks to the ongoing pandemic. And while we may have video streaming to distract us, watching TV and movies is more fun with friends. You could get everyone on Zoom and press play at the same time, but there's an easier way: Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party).
This browser extension allows you to invite anyone you want, then syncs the stream between all devices. There's also a built-in text chat feature so everyone can communicate while the video is playing. The extension works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max (though Hulu and Disney+ have their own official watch party features, too). Everyone will need to install the browser extension and have their own streaming subscription to join. Here's how to get everything set up for your remote viewing party.
Install Teleparty
Whether you're planning a watch party or simply joining someone else's, you must first install the official browser extension. If you're using Chrome, get it from the Chrome Web Store, but there's also an official Add-On for Microsoft Edge. Once the extension is installed, pin it to your toolbar for easy access and control.
Firefox and Safari are not supported at this time, and since the service works through an extension, it doesn't work on mobile.
Create Your Streaming Party
Navigate to a streaming service on your browser and pick out the show or movie you wish to watch. Start playing the video, then click the red TP icon on your toolbar to open a small window. Click Start Party to generate a shareable code, then send this to your guests. They will be able to join the party you have set up and talk via the extension's text chat feature.
By default, Teleparty allows anyone to control playback on the video. Since the video is synced, if someone pauses their feed, it pauses for everyone. This is probably the most convenient option, but you can change it if you want to keep things more organized. Before creating the chatroom, check the box for "Only I have control" to ensure that you are the only person who can play, pause, fast forward, and rewind.
Join a Watch Party
Once the shareable link has been sent out, guests only have to click the URL. The link will open to the video you have chosen. They only need to click the red TP icon in their browser and the private chatroom will open. You should now be able to chat with your friends and the video will be synced between all your devices.
Customize the Chat
Overall, Teleparty is a fairly barebones service, so there isn't a whole lot you can do inside the chat. When you join the chatroom, you will be assigned a random user icon. Click your icon in the top-right corner to add a nickname and customize the icon. The changes you make will be saved for your next viewing session on that device.
According to the Teleparty Patreon page, the developers are also working on support for emoji, voice chat, and other streaming services.
Try These Apps Next
If you're looking for other ways to stay connected while in quarantine, there are several ways to remotely keep in touch.