GroupWatch From Disney+: Everything You Need to Know

This fall, Disney+ released GroupWatch, a co-watching feature that makes it possible to enjoy shows and movies with your loved ones, even from afar. GroupWatch can help people stay connected through the Disney+ content that they love while staying safe in their individual homes, making it an exciting addition to the streaming world.

Let’s learn more about GroupWatch and how to use it as a Disney+ subscriber. We’ll also compare it to similar co-watching features on other popular streaming platforms.

GroupWatch: The Basics

Disney+ launched GroupWatch on September 29th this year, making it one of multiple streaming platforms to offer co-watching functionality. With GroupWatch, up to seven people can watch a TV show or movie simultaneously. Everyone watching will be able to pause, play, fast-forward, or rewind the content, as well as send virtual reactions. This ensures that the whole group stays synchronized and can easily communicate!

Compatible Devices

GroupWatch is accessible through most devices supported by Disney+. This includes most smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, game consoles, and web browsers. Unfortunately, devices including PS4, some Fire TV models, and some Roku models can’t support GroupWatch.

Creating a GroupWatch

Creating a GroupWatch is as simple as inviting up to seven people on the Disney+ mobile app or web browser. You’ll just click the GroupWatch icon once you’re on the title Details page for your chosen show or movie. Then, click “Invite”. You’ll get an invite link and be presented with a few different options for sharing it. On a web browser, you’ll copy the link to share it directly with friends and family.

Joining a GroupWatch

If you’re sent a GroupWatch invite, you’ll just need to click the link to join the party. The link will lead you to the Disney+ app or web browser, where you’ll be able to join the GroupWatch.

Comparing GroupWatch To Other Co-Watching Features

Amazon Prime Video Watch Party

Amazon Prime Video offers Watch Party to its subscribers as a co-watching feature. Up to 100 friends can join together in a Watch Party to enjoy shows and movies on Amazon Prime Video. Starting a Watch Party is as easy as copying and sharing a link (just like GroupShare), although only the host has the power to play, pause, fast-forward, and rewind.

Netflix Party

Netflix Party is different from both GroupWatch and Watch Party because it’s an extension, separate from the Netflix app itself, that people must download to use. While this is an extra hurdle to jump through, Netflix Party is entirely free to download and easy to use. To create a Netflix Party, you’ll just click on the extension once you’re on the title screen, copy the link, and send it to your friends and family. You can add a chatbox to the Netflix Party to keep up a running commentary while the show or movie plays.

Final Thoughts

While GroupWatch doesn’t offer the same volume of users as Amazon Prime Video’s Watch Party, it still provides solid functionality for Disney+ users who want to watch together. In these difficult times, the simple joy of (safely!) sharing TV and movies with your loved ones is something to celebrate.