How to Turn Off SharePlay on Your Apple Devices

SharePlay adds a dynamic twist to FaceTime calls, letting you enjoy videos and music with others in real time. However, it can also cause problems by sharing content unintentionally or bombarding you with notifications.

In this tutorial, we’ll guide you on how to turn off SharePlay, including ending sessions, preventing apps from auto-sharing, and disabling the feature on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

These steps are relevant for Apple devices running iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, macOS 12 Monterey, tvOS 15.1, and later versions.

How to Stop a SharePlay Session in FaceTime (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)

If you’re new to SharePlay on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, starting a session during a FaceTime video call is straightforward, but ending it might not be as obvious. If you find yourself stuck in SharePlay, here’s what you must do to exit it:

iPhone and iPad

1. Open FaceTime or tap the green SharePlay indicator on the top left corner of the screen.

2. On the row of FaceTime controls that appear, tap the SharePlay button.
3. Tap End SharePlay.
4. Tap End for Everyone or End Only for Me.

Mac

1. Select the green-SharePlay icon on the menu bar.

2. Under Currently Playing, select X next to the media content you want to stop sharing.

3. Select End for Everyone or End Only for Me.

How to Stop Apps From Starting SharePlay (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)

By default, FaceTime automatically shares content you play on any app you’ve used with SharePlay at least once. You can turn that off on a per-app basis via the FaceTime settings. Here’s how:

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app via the Home Screen or App Library.

2. Scroll down and tap FaceTime.
3. Tap SharePlay.

4. You’ll see a list of apps—Netflix, Hulu, TikTok, etc. Disable the switch next to an app to stop it from invoking SharePlay.

Mac

1. Open the FaceTime app and select FaceTime > Settings on the menu bar.

2. Under the SharePlay tab, uncheck the box next to an app—Apple Music, Spotify, Twitch, etc.—to prevent it from activating SharePlay without permission.

How to Fully Disable SharePlay in FaceTime (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)

You must visit the FaceTime configuration pane on your Apple device to completely disable SharePlay and stop all prompts for sharing content during TV shows, movies, and songs. Just:

iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings and navigate to FaceTime.
2. In FaceTime settings, locate and tap SharePlay.
3. Disable the switch next to the SharePlay option.

Mac

1. Open FaceTime and select FaceTime > Settings on the menu bar.
2. Select SharePlay on top of the Settings window.
3. Uncheck the box next to SharePlay.

How to Turn Off SharePlay via Screen Time (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)

Another way to fully turn off SharePlay is through Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Here’s how:

iPhone and iPad

1. Go to Settings and tap on Screen Time.
2. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Select Allowed Apps.

4. Disable the switch next to SharePlay.

Mac

1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings/Preferences.

2. Enter the Screen Time category and select Content & Privacy.

3. Select App Restrictions.

4. Disable the switch next to Allow SharePlay and choose Done.

If you share your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with someone else, a Screen Time passcode can prevent them from modifying your Screen Time preferences and re-enabling SharePlay. If you still need to set one up, go to Settings/System Settings > Screen Time and select Lock Screen Time Settings.

How to Turn Off SharePlay on Apple TV

On an Apple TV 4K, you can start a FaceTime video call through the FaceTime app using Continuity Camera with an iPhone or iPad, play media, and share content in streaming services that support SharePlay. To end the session:

1. Press the TV button on the Siri Remote.
2. Press the Back button (or Menu button if you use a 1st generation TV remote).
3. Select End for Everyone or End Only for Me.

If you own an Apple TV HD or 4K (1st generation), you can initiate a FaceTime call on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac and start SharePlay via the Control Center in tvOS. To stop SharePlay, use the FaceTime controls on your phone or computer or revisit the Apple TV’s Control Center.

To prevent other people from sharing TV shows and movies with you via FaceTime on your Apple TV:

1. Open the Settings app via the Home Screen.
2. Go to Users and Accounts > Apple ID.
3. Set Shared With You to Off.

Manage How the SharePlay Feature Works in FaceTime

You’ve mastered managing SharePlay on Apple devices that offer the feature. Whether it’s ending a share session at any time, blocking automatic media sharing, or completely disabling SharePlay, you maintain complete control over your FaceTime content-sharing experience.