Teleparty lets you watch movies and TV shows on today’s most popular streaming platforms with your family and friends online. And it doesn't matter whether you're in the same town or different countries around the world.

Teleparty will make you all feel like you're watching your favorite movie or TV show together in the same room.

In this article, we'll explain what Teleparty is, show you how to use Teleparty, and help you fix it if something goes wrong.

What Is Teleparty?

Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party) is a browser extension that allows you to watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime online with other people.

Watch movies with Teleparty

Of course, there are other solutions when it comes to watching movies or TV shows with your friends, but Teleparty has a lot going for it thanks to its support and how easy it is to use.

You can use the tool to sync playback, so you can watch movies and TV shows together with your long-distance friends and even chat in real time about the events playing out on-screen.

How Does Teleparty Work?

Teleparty is available as a browser extension for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera browsers at the time of this writing. It is entirely free to download and use.

According to Teleparty, you can also use it on your Android device, but it will not work on iOS, game consoles, or streaming boxes.

All the viewing is done through the official streaming platform site in your country; there are no dodgy portals, mirrors, proxies, or VPN connections required. That means everyone needs access to the show or movie you're about to watch in their respective locale.

Also, everyone needs to have an account with the same streaming platform for Teleparty to work. Even if the same show is available on multiple platforms, you can’t watch it through Teleparty.

However, you can use a shared account as long as the subscription plan allows multiple users to watch the streaming service simultaneously.

Unlike some other tools that let you watch movies together online, on Teleparty, you don't connect to a host and watch their screen. Also, you do not need to make a Teleparty account.

The website supports HD videos and fast buffering. More than 100 people can join a party at the same time. Although text chat is available, there is no video or voice chat.

Note: If you want to watch a movie with your friends, but the content isn’t available in your region, you can use a VPN to get around geo-blocking restrictions.

How to Use Teleparty

While there are a couple of other apps worth looking into, depending on your needs, we’ve already established that Teleparty is the best tool to host a virtual watch party. Next, let's take a detailed look at how to use the service.

How to Install Teleparty

You need to install Teleparty from the Chrome Web Store or Edge Add-ons Store. Once you install Teleparty, the icon will appear in your browser’s toolbar and is then ready to use.

Download: Teleparty for Chrome | Edge (Free)

How to Start a Party on Teleparty

Start a Teleparty session

Each Teleparty needs a host. They are responsible for creating the party and sharing the link to join. They can also decide whether anyone can play/pause/skip the video or only the host. Only one person can be the host of a party.

If you want to be the host, follow these steps to open Teleparty and invite your family or friends:

  1. Head to one of the supported streaming platforms and sign into your account.
  2. Navigate to the movie or TV show you want to watch.
  3. Wait for the Teleparty extension's icon to turn red (labeled Tp).
  4. Click on the Tp button.
  5. Choose whether you want to retain control over video playback.
  6. Click Start the party.

Teleparty will supply you with a link you can share with other people who want to join.

How to Join a Party on Teleparty

How to join a Teleparty session

If you are not your party's host, you need to know how to join an existing Teleparty session.

Firstly, make sure you have the Teleparty extension installed. Even if you're not a host, you still need to run the extension to be able to join in. And to reiterate, you'll also need your own active Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime account.

To join a party, you'll need to use the link supplied by the host. Paste the link into Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Opera, and press Enter. You'll be automatically added to the session without any further action on your part.

How to Customize Your Teleparty Session

Customize Teleparty profile

Teleparty is not a feature-rich tool. That's not a criticism—it does what it's supposed to exceptionally well—but it means there aren't a whole bunch of settings for you to dive into.

That said, some limited customization is still possible. For example, by clicking on the Tp icon, you can choose whether to show or hide the chat window. If you choose to display it, you can click on the avatar in the top-right corner to change the picture and set your on-screen nickname.

Importantly, each user also has complete control over their own audio and subtitle settings. That includes volume but also audio tracks. You can still listen to your preferred language even if you have an international family. Similarly, people with hearing issues might choose to turn on subtitles, while others might not.

How to Leave a Teleparty Session

Teleparty does not have a "log out" or "leave session" button. Instead, you can leave a Teleparty session by simply closing the browser window in which it is running.

Troubleshooting Teleparty

Considering it's a widely-used free extension, Teleparty performs remarkably smoothly. That said, issues do sometimes pop up with Teleparty.

One of the most common problems is server overload. Teleparty says more than 100 people can join a party, but the limit might be reduced when the servers are busy. Busy servers could also affect buffering and the timeliness of messages in the chat app. As a user, there is little you can do.

Other problems can almost always be traced back to something simple, so ask yourself:

  • Is the Teleparty extension installed on your browser?
  • Are you logged into your account?
  • Have you pasted the host's link correctly?
  • Are you trying to perform an action that the host has restricted?
  • Are you using a compatible browser and device?
  • Is the content available in your region?

And remember, as always, shutting your browser (including all open tabs) and rebooting it can often make strange problems vanish in a flash (no pun intended).

Have Great Movie Nights With Teleparty

Teleparty does a great job when it comes to watching a movie with people that aren’t in the same room as you. Install the extension, share or join the link, and you’re done. Also, the built-in chat makes it a more interactive experience.

If you’re looking forward to the next Teleparty session with your friends but haven’t decided which movie to watch, there are a few apps that will give you a helping hand.