GroupWatch lets you watch Disney Plus with friends and family in separate locations at the same time
GroupWatch is a feature built into Disney Plus that syncs video playback across multiple devices so everyone watching sees the same moment of the film or show. One person controls the pause, play, and rewind buttons for the whole group. Everyone needs their own Disney Plus account, but they can all watch from different homes, different cities, or the same room.
The feature works on most devices — phones, tablets, computers, and some streaming devices — though not all combinations support it. You start a GroupWatch session, invite others by sending them a link, and they join through the Disney Plus app or website.
Key Takeaways
- GroupWatch requires everyone in the group to have their own active Disney Plus account; you cannot share one login across the group.
- One person acts as the host and controls playback for everyone else, who see the video pause and play in real time.
- You invite others by sharing a link that works for up to seven people total, including yourself.
- GroupWatch works on phones, tablets, computers, and some streaming devices, but not all device types support it simultaneously.
- The feature is free and included with any Disney Plus subscription — no extra cost or separate sign-up.
Which devices support GroupWatch
GroupWatch works on phones and tablets running the Disney Plus app (both iOS and Android), on computers through the Disney Plus website, and on some streaming devices including Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. However, not every combination of devices can be in the same session together.
The main limitation is that you cannot mix certain device types in one GroupWatch session. For example, if you start GroupWatch on a phone, everyone else must join from a phone or tablet. If you start on a computer, others can join from a computer or supported streaming device, but not from a phone. Check the Disney Plus app or website before you invite people to see which devices are compatible for that particular session.
How to start a GroupWatch session
Open the Disney Plus app or website on your device and find the title you want to watch. On the title's detail page, look for the GroupWatch icon — it looks like two overlapping circles or a people symbol, depending on your device. Tap or click it to start the session.
Disney Plus will generate a unique link and show it on your screen. You can copy the link and send it to friends through text, email, or any messaging app. The link stays active as long as you are watching, and it expires when you stop the video or close the app. Each GroupWatch session is separate, so you create a new link every time you want to watch something together.
You become the host automatically when you start the session. This means you control when the video plays, pauses, rewinds, or fast-forwards. Everyone else sees those changes happen on their screen in real time, but they cannot change the playback themselves.
How others join your GroupWatch session
When you send someone the GroupWatch link, they tap or click it on their device. If they have the Disney Plus app installed, the link opens directly in the app and shows them the title you are watching. If they are on a computer or do not have the app, the link takes them to the Disney Plus website, where they can watch in their browser.
They need to be signed into their own Disney Plus account before they can join. If they are not logged in, the link will prompt them to sign in first. Once they are signed in, they join the session and see the video start playing at the same point where you are watching.
A GroupWatch session can include up to seven people total, including the host. If you try to invite an eighth person, Disney Plus will not allow the link to work for them.
What happens during a GroupWatch session
Once everyone has joined, you all see the same video playing at the same time. When you pause the video, it pauses for everyone. When you rewind or skip ahead, everyone's video moves to that same spot. The video stays synced even if someone's internet connection is slightly slower — Disney Plus handles small delays automatically.
You can see who is in the session by looking at the GroupWatch panel on your screen, which shows the names or profile pictures of everyone watching. Some versions of the app let you send text messages to the group during the watch, though this feature is not available on all devices.
If someone leaves the session — by closing the app, stopping the video, or navigating away — they drop out and the link no longer works for them. They can rejoin if you send them the link again, but they will have to sign in again and the video will start from wherever the group is currently watching.
Troubleshooting common GroupWatch problems
If the GroupWatch button does not appear on a title, that title may not support the feature. Disney Plus has removed GroupWatch from some licensed content due to licensing restrictions, so not every show or movie can be watched this way. Try selecting a different title to see if GroupWatch is available for it.
If someone cannot join the session, check that they are signed into their own Disney Plus account and that they are using a compatible device. If they are on a phone and you started the session on a computer, they will not be able to join — you would need to start a new session from a phone or tablet instead. Also confirm that the link has not expired; if more than a few minutes have passed since you created the session, try generating a new link.
If the video keeps pausing or going out of sync, the issue is usually a weak internet connection on someone's device. Ask that person to move closer to their router or close other apps that might be using bandwidth. Restarting the Disney Plus app sometimes helps as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use GroupWatch if we share a Disney Plus account?
No. GroupWatch requires each person to have their own separate Disney Plus account. If multiple people are logged into the same account on different devices, GroupWatch will not work. Each person needs to sign up for their own subscription or be added as a separate profile on a family plan.
Does GroupWatch cost extra?
No. GroupWatch is included free with any Disney Plus subscription. There is no additional fee, no premium tier, and no separate sign-up required. If you have a Disney Plus account, you can use GroupWatch.
What if I am the host and I have to leave during the watch?
The session ends when you stop watching or close the app. Everyone else will be disconnected from the GroupWatch session. If you want them to continue watching together, one of them can start a new GroupWatch session and send a new link to the others.
Can I watch different things in the same GroupWatch session?
No. Everyone in a GroupWatch session watches the same title at the same time. You cannot split up and watch different shows or movies while staying in the same session.
Is there a limit to how many people can join?
Yes. A GroupWatch session can include up to seven people total, including the person who started it. If you need more people to watch together, you would need to create a second separate session.