← Back to home
Help Center
Step-by-step guides for hosting watch parties, fixing common issues, and getting the most out of WatchTogether. No account needed to read.
Getting Started
How to host your first watch party
- Open watchtogether.watch in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
- Click Get Started and sign in (Google or email).
- Click Create Room and pick a mode:
- Screen Share — share any streaming service or local video file.
- Sync Video — paste a YouTube link and everyone watches in sync.
- Copy the room link or invite code and send it to friends.
- Friends click the link, no sign-up required to join.
💡 Tip: When sharing Netflix, Disney+, or other streaming services, choose "Chrome Tab" in the share dialog and tick "Share tab audio" — that gives you the cleanest stream with synced audio.
How to join a watch party
- Click the room link your host sent you, or paste the invite code on the home page.
- Allow camera/microphone access if you want to be on cam — otherwise just chat.
- That's it. The host's stream plays in your browser.
Audio & Video Troubleshooting
No audio is playing for viewers
This is usually because the host did not include tab audio. Stop the share, click Share Screen again, choose Chrome Tab, and tick Share tab audio at the bottom of the picker. Whole-screen and Window mode cannot share audio in most browsers.
Video is laggy or low quality
- Close other browser tabs and apps using bandwidth.
- If on Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or switch to ethernet.
- Lower the resolution of the source video (e.g. switch Netflix from 4K to HD).
- Have viewers run a connection test at fast.com — anything below 5 Mbps may struggle.
Camera or microphone is not working
- Check your browser hasn't blocked permissions — look for the camera icon in the URL bar.
- On macOS, allow your browser camera/mic access in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Close other apps using your camera (Zoom, FaceTime, OBS).
- Refresh the page — sometimes the device needs to be re-acquired.
I cannot connect to a room (stuck on "Connecting…")
- You may be on a restrictive network (corporate firewall, school network). Try a different network or a mobile hotspot.
- Disable VPN extensions temporarily — many VPNs block WebRTC.
- Check that the room link is correct and not expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WatchTogether really free?
Yes — every feature is free. No subscription, no paid tier, no credit card. We sustain the service through opt-in donations and minimal advertising on logged-out pages.
Do my friends need an account to join?
No. Anyone with the room link can join. Only the host needs an account to create a room.
How many people can join a watch party?
Standard rooms support up to 8 participants for optimal peer-to-peer quality. Need more? Email hello@watchtogether.watch.
Does WatchTogether work on phones?
Viewers can join from any modern phone browser. Hosting (sharing your screen) works best on a laptop or desktop because mobile browsers limit screen-share APIs.
Is my data safe?
Yes. Your screen-share content travels peer-to-peer with end-to-end DTLS+SRTP encryption — we never see or store it. See our Security & Data page and Privacy Policy.
Can I watch Netflix together legally?
You should only stream content you have a license to view. Sharing your personal Netflix account screen with friends in a private room is generally accepted under fair use, but you are responsible for compliance with the streaming service's terms.
Still need help?
Email support@watchtogether.watch — we read every message and reply within 24 hours.