Amazon Watch Party 2025 Update
If you're wondering how to do a Watch Party on Amazon Prime in 2025, here's the unfortunate truth: you can't.
As of April 2, 2024, Amazon fully discontinued its Watch Party feature across all platforms. Further, Amazon has not made any official statement regarding Watch Party, or offering a replacement. The only partial workaround, mentioned by an Amazon staff member in their official community forum, is that older Watch Party links may still function temporarily, as long as the link remains valid.
That leaves millions of users searching for alternatives to Amazon Watch Party. Two of the best replacements SharePlay and Teleparty offer reliable, social viewing experiences across different platforms.
Why Did Amazon Discontinue Watch Party?
Unless you're part of the Amazon management, no one really knows why.
Watch Party was launched in 2020 to help people co-watch content remotely during lockdowns. It allowed synchronized viewing and live chat for Prime members, but it was never fully integrated into all apps or devices. By early 2024, Amazon had started removing Watch Party support from TVs, mobile apps, and browsers with no public announcement.
How to SharePlay Amazon Prime
If everyone in your group uses iPhones, iPads, or Macs, SharePlay is one of the smoothest ways to watch content together. It works during FaceTime calls, syncing playback of supported streaming apps like Disney+, Apple TV+, Hulu, and Max.
How it works:
- Start a FaceTime call.
- Open a supported app.
- Tap “SharePlay” when prompted to begin co-watching.
- Everyone can control playback. Pause, skip, or adjust volume individually.
Pros:
- Works seamlessly across Apple devices.
- Built-in audio chat via FaceTime.
- No extra downloads needed.
Limitations:
- All participants need to be on iOS/iPadOS/macOS.
- Not all streaming apps support it.
- Everyone must have access to the streaming content (via account or subscription).
We also have an extended guide on how to share screen and use FaceTime's SharePlay.
Teleparty: Cross-Platform with Premium Upgrades
Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) is a browser extension for Chrome, Edge, or Opera that lets users watch content from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more. It syncs playback and adds a group chat window.
How it works:
- Install the Teleparty browser extension.
- Open a supported streaming site and start a video.
- Click the TP icon to create a party link.
- Share the link so friends can join.
Free version includes:
- Text-based chat alongside video playback
- Synchronized viewing across users
Teleparty Premium adds:
- Voice and video chat so you can talk while watching
- Custom profile icons, emojis, and reactions
- Premium badges and 24/7 support
Pros:
- Works across multiple streaming platforms
- Desktop browser-friendly, cross-platform
- Offers richer social features with Premium
Limitations:
- Each participant must install the extension
- Free version limited to text chat
- Mobile support is limited
For travelers or long-distance friends using laptops, Teleparty remains one of the easiest ways to recreate the Watch Party experience. Premium users can enjoy a more immersive co-watching setup without needing FaceTime.
Using Other Communication Apps
If you don’t want to install extensions or rely on platform-specific tools, there’s always the classic workaround: use a voice or video call and start the show at the same time.
How it works:
- Start a group call using any communication app (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.).
- Pick a show or movie everyone can access.
- Do a countdown together (e.g., "3... 2... 1... Play") and press play simultaneously.
Pros:
- No setup or technical requirements.
- Works on any device or streaming platform.
- Perfect for mixed-device groups or spontaneous plans.
Limitations:
- Playback won't stay perfectly synced over time.
- No shared pause/play controls.
- Requires good timing and communication.
This method may be lo-fi, but it’s still a solid way to stay connected and watch content with others, especially when tech limitations get in the way.
SharePlay vs Teleparty vs Communication Apps
| Feature | SharePlay | Teleparty | Communication Apps |
| Device Support | Apple only (iPhone, iPad, Mac) | Desktop browsers (Chrome, Edge) | All devices |
| Chat Options | FaceTime audio/video | Text chat (Free), Video & voice (Premium) | Any voice/video app |
| Streaming Platforms | Limited to supported apps on Apple | Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, more | Any platform |
| Setup Needed | Apple exclusive | Extension required | No setup |
| International Use | Great on Wi-Fi/eSIM with Apple | Works globally with select browsers | Universally usable |
If your friend group is mostly on Apple devices, go with SharePlay. For cross-platform users or browser-based streaming, Teleparty, especially the Premium version, is the better fit. If you want to keep things simple, or everyone is using different platforms, the manual countdown method via communication apps is a dependable fallback.
Don’t Let a Bad Connection Ruin Your Watch Party
A smooth watch party, no matter the platform, starts with a stable internet connection. Whether you’re coordinating a manual countdown over Zoom or streaming in sync with SharePlay or Teleparty, it all comes down to being connected.
When you're abroad, that becomes even more critical. Relying on spotty hotel Wi-Fi or expensive roaming can ruin the experience.
That’s where Eskimo eSIM makes a real difference. Instead of juggling roaming fees or hunting for signal, Eskimo gives you global data that works seamlessly across 80+ countries.
With Eskimo:
- Your data never expires (valid for 2 years, can be extended with any plan purchase).
- You can start only when you’re ready.
- You can share a hotspot or data with travel buddies (need to have Eskimo eSIM).
And best of all? New users get a free 500MB global data trial just for signing up.
FAQs
Can I still use Amazon Watch Party in 2025?
No. Amazon has fully removed the Watch Party feature from all platforms as of April 2024. In some cases, you might still be able to join an existing Watch Party link if it's still active, but there's no way to start a new one.
Has Amazon said anything about bringing Watch Party back?
As of the time of writing, Amazon has not shared any updates or plans to reintroduce the Watch Party feature.
Does Teleparty work on mobile?
Teleparty is primarily for desktop browsers. Mobile support is limited or non-existent depending on the platform.
Can I use SharePlay while traveling?
Yes. SharePlay works over any internet connection. If you're abroad, pair it with an eSIM or Wi-Fi for the best experience.
Do all participants need the same streaming subscriptions?
Yes. Regardless of the tool (SharePlay or Teleparty), each person must have access to the same streaming app and content to join.