There’s this excellent anticipation that comes with the release of our favorite movies. We can also feel this joy significantly when our one-time favorite movie is dropping a sequel or follow-up.
If this type of film were something we enjoyed with our friends and families years back, we would love to watch its sequel with them again.Â
However, so many factors like distance, different timezone, busy schedules, etc., can stop us from enjoying this movie, especially on a platform like Netflix with our loved ones.
Well, suppose you are faced with any of these constraints.
In that case, I am here to tell you there’s a way to watch Netflix together irrespective of you and your loved one’s distance, location, timezone, and schedule. Keep reading to find out how.
How to watch Netflix with friends
Though there isn’t an official way to watch Netflix with friends, at least not with their physical presence, they are still ways we can enjoy that fantastic movie with our friends far away.
These ways are even more interesting (although Netflix disapproves of them) especially considering the pandemic that has severely altered the course of events we are used to.
In this section, we’ll see so many ways to have a Netflix group watch with ease.
1. Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party)
It hasn’t always been named Teleparty, but having a name that somehow sounds like Telepathy (considering its definition) is perfect for a tool that can enable people miles away to enjoy a particular movie at the same time. Prior to the change of name, this app or extension was known as the Netflix party.
It was an extension exclusive to Netflix alone and was also available to Google Chrome browser only. However, in recent days after the name change, in addition to Netflix, users can remotely enjoy their videos on Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max, and it is present on Microsoft Edge browser.
This is are two astonishing development. You can have a whole 50 people in one room at the same time.
To set up a Netflix party, you and your friends need to have a Netflix account. If there’s any member of your group who doesn’t have one, they should quickly visit Netflix and check out their free trial; at least that would do for the time being.
How to use Netflix party (Telepathy)
Step 1: Go to the Netflix party official site with your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
Step 2: Locate and click on the big, bold red button, which reads Get Teleparty for free! It then redirects them to their different browser’s web stores.
Step 3: Click on Add Extension from the pop-up box that appears, a TP icon appears at the top right corner of your screen where other extensions are situated, this sign represents Netflix party extension.
Step 4: Log in to Netflix from the browser with the extension, then select the movie or show.
Step 5: When the movie or show starts playing, the TP icon turns red from gray. Click on it and select the Start the party option.
Step 6: You automatically become the host. You can either select the option to be in total control, i.e., to pause and play the show at will, or you allow others to control the show too.
Step 5: Locate and copy the URL from the pop-up box, then send it to your loved ones.
You all can communicate from the chat room on the right side of the screen. This extension is free, though you can support them on their Patreon page.
2. Rave
Another medium to watch Netflix with friends is with this app called Rave. Unlike Teleparty, Rave is a mobile app that has gained a considerable amount of attention these days.
You can also group watch YouTube with this app. It offers features to allow you and your group chat, message, and voice chat while enjoying your Netflix show. Your friends would need to download and sign up for the app too.
How to use Rave
Step 1: Visit your device’s app store, search and download the Rave mobile app.
Step 2: You can create an account with either Google, Facebook, or Twitter.
Step 3: When in, tap the Add Friends button from the menu icon. Now, search for your friends and add them. It also gives you the option to send text invites.
Step 4: Rave allows you to watch videos on YouTube, Netflix, and a few others. Since it’s Netflix, tap the Plus icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Step 5: Select Netflix and sign in to your account.
Step 6: Start watching your video by pressing the Play button. You can make the room’s visibility to be Private to restrict access to just your friends only.
Click the Add your friend’s button and enjoy.
3. Scener
Scener has proven itself as a reliable means to sync Netflix with friends. It is similar to Teleparty as it is a browser extension. You can not only watch Netflix together on Scener but other movie streaming services like HBO Now, Vimeo, and Disney +.
The video quality you get from Scener is top-notch; it also offers a chat bar where you and your friends can discuss while having a good time. You guys can text chat, video, or audio chat effectively with it.
Fifty people are the highest number of people you can have in a room at once, just like Teleparty. This is often more than enough; however, they have a feature called Public Theaters, which accommodates millions of viewers and enjoys whatever the host chooses.
How to use Scener
Step 1: Go to your Chrome browser web store and download the Scener extension. After installation, its icon would show at the top right corner of your browser window.
Step 2: Scener would seek your permission to read and change data on Netflix and Scener. It would also need you to allow it to show notifications and “communicate with cooperating websites.“
Step 3: Click on the Scener icon. If you can’t find it there, check your extension list by clicking the puzzle button.
Step 3: It then opens a window alongside a sidebar while giving instructions on setting up your watch party. Click the Create a theater button from your sidebar.
Step 4: Scener allows you to either create a private or public theater.
- A private theater can accommodate around ten viewers, and they can only come in through an invitation.
- A public theater allows up to 10 hosts with unlimited viewers. The hosts would have access to the audio and video input while the viewers can only communicate via the text chat function.
Step 5: Click the Create button. The next window prompts you to “Create Account.” Old users should click the “Already have an account” button and Log in.
Step 6: Input your username, email, and password in their respective fields. Go through the “How Scener work” texts, then click Next.
Step 7: Select your streaming service, in this case, Netflix. Sign in to Netflix.
Step 8: Click on the Enable button next to the camera icon. Click on Allow camera and mic from the pop-up window; click Got it from the headphones suggestion window. Finally, click on All done. If they suggest you use headphones again, click Got it again.
Step 9: You can now invite your friends via a link or code. The link is for non-Scener users. They’ll need to install the extension, create an account on Scener then sign into Netflix. While old users would enter the code through the app extension and get access to your theater.
Step 10: Select a movie and enjoy.
Scener has a virtual remote you can pass among your theater members. Whoever has the remote can pause, play or rewind whatever is being watched. Just hover over your video window till the remote is visible, then pick a friend and pass it to.
4. TwoSeven
Another fantastic tool you can make use of is TwoSeven. This extension is available on both Firefox and Chrome. Besides Netflix, you can enjoy other video streaming services like HBO Now, YouTube, Vimeo, and Amazon Prime.
You’ll need a subscription to use Hulu and Disney Plus, between $5 – $20 monthly. One other feature that sets TwoSeven above the rest is its ability to upload videos.
How to use TwoSeven
Step 1: Visit your browser’s web store and download the TwoSeven extension. Permit it to Show Notifications and Change Data on websites you visit.
Step 2: Click on the extension’s icon, go to its site, and then create your account. You’ll need to confirm the account from your email box.
Step 3: Again, click on the TwoSeven extension icon and then om Go to twoseven.xyz.
Step 4: Proceed by selecting Get Started, then edit your profile, change your Avatar, username, and other details. You can see more of your profile by clicking Account.
Step 5: Click on Start Watching. From the pop-up window, create a Private room and check the boxes to customize the features you want in your room.
Step 6: To get the share link, click the icon at the top-right represented by two people and a plus sign. Please copy the link and share it with your friends.
Step 7: Select your video source, sign in and enjoy.
You can make use of the video and audio feature; there’s also the live chat option.
5. Kast
Kast is relatively new to the remote streaming world, at least by the name Kast; when it was called Rabbit, it was the #1 and only go-to-movie-night-with-remote-friends option we had. Both as Rabbit or Kast, this app has stayed awesome.
It might take you and your folks a little while to set it up, but when you are done, you’ll all have a great time. Kast is somewhat a share-your-screen type of app; you and 19 others can easily share your screen while 100 others can hop in for fun.
Yes, Kast is free, but you’ll need to sign up with an email, username, and password, or you sign-up with your Google account. It still has a premium plan which costs between $1 – $10, which brings with it excellent features like premium reactions, sharing your screen in no ads, and many other features; when you pay for its premium services, your contacts wouldn’t have to do same, they’ll enjoy these features through you.
Kast is available for Windows and Mac computers. You can also enjoy its mobile apps on both your Android or iDevice.
How to use Kast
Step 1: Visit Kast through this link and select the Create Account button. You can fill in your details there or sign up with your Google account.
Step 2: When in your dashboard, click on the plus + button to create a new Party.
Step 3: Customize your party by filling in the details. It gives you the option also to add a picture.
Step 4: Click the Invite button, then copy the link there and send it to your friends.
Step 5: Next, click the Join Party big orange button.
With Kast, you can share your screen (premium), Share audio, Browse a video or share your webcam. If you encounter any issues, you can use the help guides on its homepage or contact support.
6. Meta stream
Just like so many other options on this list, you can live chat while watching Netflix together on Meta stream. This app will need a browser extension to function. You can make use of your Chrome or Firefox browsers.
How to use Meta stream
Step 1: Visit your browser’s web store and download the Meta stream extension.
Step 2: Visit its official site to set it up by clicking here. Click on Open Meta stream.
Step 3: You are asked to set your display name; when done, click Get Started.
Step 4: Select Start Session.
Step 5: Open a new tab and login to Netflix, select the show or movie you want to watch, and copy its URL (you can close the tab).
Step 6: Go back to Meta stream, click the plus sign at the upper right and paste the URL into the address bar, then click on Add to Session.
Step 7: Get the shareable link from the Invite button, then send them to your friends.
Step 8: When they are in, press the Play button and select the Open in PopUp button.
One downside with this app is that Netflix videos are loaded in a new window different from the chat window. So to comment, you’ll have to minimize the Netflix window.
FAQ
Q. How to watch Netflix together on Zoom
You can share your system screen with zoom and enjoy a Netflix group watch with your friends by following these steps.
Step 1: Place a call to your friend, then select the Zoom meeting center-bottom’s Share Screen button.
Step 2: Go to the Zoom Home page, select the Share Screen drop-down menu, and then check the Share computer sounds box. This is to make the computer sounds to be shared too.
Step 3: Next, select the screen you plan on sharing. If you access Netflix via its desktop app, select it and do the same if you are using it via your web browser.
You can now play around with various settings like full screen, from the User icon > Settings > Share Screen.
Q. Is the Netflix party safe to use?
Yes, it is. It is a tool used by over 10 million users with plenty of positives to its name. It is relatively easy to set up.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering how to watch Netflix together with your friends and love ones that are miles or timezones away, this guide has helped you out. Although Netflix doesn’t have any official way to go about this, they are more than enough apps, extensions, or sites to help you set up a Netflix party.