How to use Teleparty (Netflix Party)

Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) has held its own alongside Zoom cocktail hours, virtual museum tours, and same-day InstaCart deliveries during the early months of the pandemic — and for good reason. The Teleparty watch party platform makes friends and family feel like they’re participating in a group activity and bonding experience, whether they’re across the street or oceans apart.

Netflix Party has grown and expanded in recent years to make it even easier for friends to host long-distance parties and movie screenings anywhere in the world. The platform is now compatible with almost every major streaming service, from Amazon Prime Video to Disney+.

Want to learn more about how teleparty and Netflix watch parties actually work? Here’s what you need to know to throw a great watch party for your friends and family from the comfort of your home:

What is a Netflix Watch Party?

Teleparty — or Netflix Party — is a browser extension that works with Netflix and other streaming services, allowing you and your friends and family to watch a movie or TV series at the same time, even if you’re seas apart. The platform makes it easy to stay in sync with everyone else in the party, so no one gets to the plot or other spoilers before everyone else.

You can think of a Netflix watch party as the modern solution to hosting a screening party in person, or the romantic notion of watching a movie with a loved one remotely on the phone. The Teleparty extension also includes a separate chat feature that allows you and your guests to share your live reactions, GIFs and screenshots throughout the screening to further encourage togetherness and connection.

Although Netflix Party was originally developed just for Netflix, the browser extension is now compatible with most major streaming services including HBO Max, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and more.

How to use Netflix Party

Creating a successful Netflix party on Teleparty is super easy. In fact – probably the hardest part will be planning a time that fits all your friends and family and the different time zones you are trying to accommodate!

First you need to download the Teleparty browser extension (note that it only works on Chrome – so you might need to download that first). After clicking the “Install” button on Teleparty, you should click the “Add to Chrome” button to complete the installation process.

Once the extension is installed, you can head over to Netflix or any other streaming service and start a watch party right away. To choose the TV show or movie you want to watch and start the party, all you have to do is click the gray Teleparty button in the corner of your screen. You automatically become the presenter – and the only one who can pause or play the movie. Clicking the Teleparty button will also give out a custom URL that you can send to anyone who wants to join the party.

You should note that, similar to other digital trends, many competitors have emerged offering services similar to Teleparty. However, the Teleparty brand is considered the most reliable option in terms of minimal bugs and ease of use.