Disney+ GroupWatch lets you watch together remotely, but only on certain devices
Yes, you can watch Disney+ with other people at the same time using a feature called GroupWatch. It syncs the video across devices so everyone sees the same moment, and lets you react with emojis while you watch. However, GroupWatch only works on phones, tablets, and web browsers—not on TV apps, streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick, or gaming consoles.
GroupWatch is included with any Disney+ subscription at no extra cost. You start a watch session, send an invite link to the people you want to watch with, and they join through that link. The host controls pause, play, and rewind for everyone in the group.
Key Takeaways
- GroupWatch works on phones, tablets, and web browsers, but not on TV apps or streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV.
- The person who starts the watch party controls play, pause, and rewind for everyone in the group.
- You can add up to seven other people to a GroupWatch session, for a maximum of eight viewers total.
- GroupWatch is free with any Disney+ subscription and requires everyone to have their own active account.
- If you want to watch on your TV, you will need to mirror or cast from a phone or tablet that is running GroupWatch.
How to start a GroupWatch session
Open Disney+ on your phone, tablet, or web browser and start playing a title. Look for the GroupWatch icon—it looks like two people or a group symbol—usually near the playback controls or in the menu. Tap or click it to open the GroupWatch panel.
The app will generate a unique invite link. You can share this link by text, email, social media, or any messaging app. Anyone who clicks the link and has a Disney+ account will join your watch session. They do not need to be in your contacts or on your friends list.
Once people join, you will see their names or avatars in the GroupWatch panel. You control when the video plays, pauses, or rewinds—everyone else's screen follows yours automatically. If someone falls behind or wants to catch up, the host can rewind for the whole group.
Device and account requirements for GroupWatch
Everyone in the watch party must have their own active Disney+ subscription. You cannot share one account across multiple devices and use GroupWatch—each person needs to log in with their own account. This is different from household sharing, where multiple people can watch from the same account on different devices at different times.
GroupWatch works on:
- iPhones and iPads running iOS 12.2 or later
- Android phones and tablets running Android 5.0 or later
- Web browsers on computers and laptops (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
GroupWatch does not work on:
- Disney+ TV apps on smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV
- Gaming consoles like PlayStation or Xbox
- Chromecast or AirPlay casting (though you can mirror your phone screen to a TV and use GroupWatch that way)
How many people can join a GroupWatch
You can invite up to seven other people to a single GroupWatch session, which means a maximum of eight people watching together at once. If you want more people to watch, you would need to start a second GroupWatch session, but Disney+ does not allow one person to host multiple GroupWatch groups at the same time.
Everyone in the group must join through the same invite link. If someone leaves and wants to rejoin, they can use the same link again, or the host can generate a new link and send it to them.
Watching on your TV while using GroupWatch
Since GroupWatch does not work directly on TV apps, you have two options if you want to watch on a larger screen. The first is to mirror or cast your phone or tablet screen to your TV using AirPlay, Chromecast, or your TV's built-in screen mirroring feature. GroupWatch will continue to work on your phone, and the video will display on your TV while the host controls playback from their device.
The second option is to watch on a computer connected to your TV via HDMI cable. Open Disney+ in a web browser, start GroupWatch, and the video will play on your TV while you control it from the browser. This method gives you a more stable connection than wireless casting.
If you are the host and you cast to your TV, remember that your phone or tablet is still controlling the session—if you lock your device or switch apps, the GroupWatch may pause or disconnect.
Reactions and chat during GroupWatch
While you watch, you can react with emojis that appear on everyone's screen. These reactions are a way to share your feelings about what is happening in the show or movie without interrupting the video. You can send reactions like laughing, crying, surprised, or angry faces.
GroupWatch does not include a text chat feature built into the app. If you want to talk or text during the watch party, you will need to use a separate app like text messaging, Discord, Zoom, or a group chat. Many people run a video call or messaging app alongside GroupWatch so they can comment on what they are watching in real time.
Troubleshooting common GroupWatch problems
If the GroupWatch button does not appear, make sure you are using a supported device and that you are logged into your own Disney+ account. Some titles, particularly live events or certain licensed content, may not support GroupWatch. Try starting a GroupWatch session with a different title to see if the feature works.
If people are joining but the video is not syncing, ask everyone to close the Disney+ app completely and rejoin through the invite link. Make sure everyone has a strong internet connection—a weak connection can cause the video to fall out of sync. If one person keeps falling behind, they may need to move closer to their router or restart their device.
If the host's video keeps pausing or buffering, it can cause the whole group to pause. The host should check their internet speed and close other apps that might be using bandwidth. If problems continue, try starting a new GroupWatch session with a fresh invite link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay extra for GroupWatch?
No. GroupWatch is included with any Disney+ subscription at no additional cost. Everyone in the watch party needs their own active Disney+ account, but there is no separate fee for using the GroupWatch feature.
Can I use GroupWatch on my smart TV?
GroupWatch does not work directly on TV apps. You can mirror or cast from your phone or tablet to your TV and use GroupWatch that way, or connect a computer to your TV with an HDMI cable and use the web browser version. The person controlling GroupWatch will be using their phone, tablet, or computer, not the TV app itself.
What happens if someone leaves the GroupWatch session?
If someone leaves, they drop out of the watch party and the video stops playing on their device. They can rejoin using the same invite link, and they will jump back to wherever the group is currently watching. The rest of the group continues watching without interruption.
Can I use GroupWatch with a shared family account?
No. GroupWatch requires each person to have their own individual Disney+ account. If you share one account with family members, you cannot use GroupWatch together. You would each need a separate subscription to use the feature.
Can I watch live events with GroupWatch?
Some live events support GroupWatch, but not all. Check the event page on Disney+ to see if GroupWatch is available. If the button does not appear when you start playing, that particular event does not support the feature.