How to use the new Disney Plus GroupWatch mode

By Allison Matyus September 29, 2020

You can now watch Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian together with your friends virtually through the streaming service’s new GroupWatch feature.

The feature allows up to seven people to simultaneously watch the same show or movie on Disney+ by syncing screens. You can also share emoji reactions with your friends while watching.

You can connect with any of your friends who are monthly Disney+ subscribers. While you can’t see or message your friends with GroupWatch, Disney reportedly wants to add a chat feature in the future.

Disney

How to use GroupWatch on Disney+

Open up the app or website and choose which show or movie you want to watch.
Click on the icon with three people that’s located to the far right of the Play icon.
Send the invite link that pops up to your friends via text, email, or any other messaging option.
After everyone has the link and is added, any of the participants can click on Start Stream.
While watching, anyone can pause, fast forward, or rewind the stream.

Digital Trends reached out to Disney to find out if and when more features, such as a chat option, would be available to GroupWatch. We will update this story when we hear back.

Disney is the latest streaming service to have a shared stream feature available: Netflix has the third-party Netflix Party and Amazon has Amazon Prime Video Watch Party. These options have gained even more popularity during the pandemic since people are limited to physically hanging out with their friends or family, but can still enjoy a movie night together virtually.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Allison Matyus is a general news reporter at Digital Trends. She covers any and all tech news, including issues around social…

Entertainment

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks live stream: how to watch the NBA online

Jalen Brunson dribbles the ball for the New York Knicks.

The Chicago Bulls head to the "World's Most Famous Arena" to take on the New York Knicks on the final day of the regular season. The action begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 14. The game will be played inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Bulls have locked up the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, meaning they will host their Play-In Tournament game against the No. 10 Atlanta Hawks. For Chicago to advance to the postseason, they must beat the Hawks and defeat the loser of No. 7 versus No. 8 matchup. For the Knicks, the team has clinched a top-six playoff spot. The Knicks can reach No. 2 if the Milwaukee Bucks lose two games. However, the likely outcome is that the Knicks finish as the No. 3 seed.

Entertainment

Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat live stream: how to watch the NBA online

Jimmy Butler jogs up the court and smirks.

On the final day of the regular season, Immanuel Quickley and the Toronto Raptors head to South Beach to take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 14. The game will be played inside the Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Raptors will not be playing in the postseason. Instead, Toronto will spend this offseason figuring out how to build around Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, and Quickley. The Heat, on the other hand, have qualified for the postseason. Their postseason will likely begin in the Play-In Tournament. Last season, Miami went to the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed, so the Heat know what it takes to win these big games.

Entertainment

Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves live stream: how to watch the NBA online

Karl-Anthony Towns holds a basketball and readies for a shot.

It's the last day of the NBA regular season. Every team is in action, but one of the big games to watch features Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns taking on Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 14. The game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Suns and Timberwolves will both be playing in the postseason. For Phoenix, it's been a season of ups and downs. Depending on what happens with the Pelicans, the Suns may have to win in the Play-In Tournament to advance to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Minnesota is one of the three best teams in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves are looking to win their first playoff series since 2004.