Turn Off SharePlay in Settings on Your Apple TV

SharePlay on Apple TV lets people in FaceTime calls watch shows and movies together in real time. To stop using this feature, go to Settings on your Apple TV, then select AirPlay and HomeKit, find SharePlay, and toggle it off. The switch will turn from green to gray, and SharePlay will no longer work on that device.

This setting controls whether your Apple TV can receive SharePlay invitations from others. When it is off, no one can start a shared viewing session with you through FaceTime, and you cannot start one either. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart the device.

Key Takeaways

  • SharePlay is found in Settings under AirPlay and HomeKit, not in a separate app or menu.
  • Turning off the toggle disables SharePlay for the entire device, so no one can invite you to a shared watch session.
  • The setting applies only to the specific Apple TV you are adjusting — other devices in your home are not affected.
  • You can turn SharePlay back on the same way if you want to use the feature again later.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Disable SharePlay

Start by pressing the Menu button on your Apple TV remote to return to the home screen if you are watching something. Then navigate to Settings — it usually appears as a gear icon on the home screen. Use the remote to highlight it and press Select.

Once in Settings, scroll down until you see AirPlay and HomeKit. Press Select to open that menu. Look for SharePlay in the list. Highlight it and press Select to open the SharePlay option. You will see a toggle switch next to it. Press Select again to turn the toggle off. When it is off, the switch will be gray instead of green.

Exit Settings by pressing the Menu button or selecting the back arrow. SharePlay is now disabled on your Apple TV. If someone tries to invite you to a shared viewing session through FaceTime, the invitation will not go through.

What Happens When SharePlay Is Off

When SharePlay is disabled, your Apple TV will not accept any shared viewing requests. If a friend or family member tries to invite you to watch something together through FaceTime, the invitation will fail or not appear at all. You also cannot initiate a SharePlay session yourself.

Turning off SharePlay does not affect other AirPlay features like screen mirroring or audio streaming. You can still use AirPlay to send photos, music, or screen content from your iPhone or Mac to your Apple TV. Only the synchronized video-watching feature is blocked.

Turning SharePlay Back On

If you want to use SharePlay again in the future, follow the same path: Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > SharePlay. Press Select on the toggle to turn it back on. The switch will turn green, and SharePlay will be active again when ready.

There is no waiting period or confirmation step. As soon as you toggle it on, people can invite you to shared viewing sessions, and you can invite others. Your Apple TV will be ready to use SharePlay right away.

Why You Might Want to Disable SharePlay

Some people turn off SharePlay to reduce distractions or limit how their Apple TV can be used. If you share your Apple TV with others and want to prevent unexpected FaceTime interruptions during your viewing, disabling SharePlay keeps the device focused on local use only.

Parents sometimes disable SharePlay on family devices to control which features are available. Turning it off also reduces the number of active connections your Apple TV maintains, which can be useful if you are troubleshooting network issues or want to minimize background activity.

SharePlay Settings on Other Devices

If you have multiple Apple TVs in your home, each one has its own SharePlay setting. Turning off SharePlay on one device does not affect the others. You will need to go into Settings on each Apple TV separately if you want to disable SharePlay across your entire home.

The same applies to other Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, or Mac. SharePlay settings on those devices are independent from your Apple TV. You can have SharePlay on in FaceTime on your iPhone while keeping it off on your Apple TV, or vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off SharePlay affect my other AirPlay features?

No. Disabling SharePlay only blocks the synchronized video-watching feature. You can still use AirPlay to mirror your screen, stream music, or send photos from your iPhone or Mac to your Apple TV. All other AirPlay functions work normally.

Can I turn SharePlay back on if I change my mind?

Yes. Go back to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > SharePlay and toggle it on. The change happens when ready, and you can start using SharePlay again right away without any setup or confirmation steps.

Does disabling SharePlay on my Apple TV affect my iPhone or iPad?

No. Each device has its own SharePlay setting. Turning it off on your Apple TV does not change the setting on your other Apple devices. You control SharePlay independently on each device.

What if someone tries to invite me to SharePlay when it is turned off?

The invitation will not go through. They will see an error or the invitation will fail to send. Once you turn SharePlay back on, they can try inviting you again and it will work.

Do I need to restart my Apple TV after turning off SharePlay?

No. The setting takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart the device or do anything else — SharePlay will be disabled right away.