Long distance
How to Use Teleparty for a Long Distance Movie Night That Actually Feels Together
To use Teleparty with a long distance partner, you each install the Teleparty browser extension or mobile app, and you each need access to the same streaming service, such as Netflix or Disney Plus. One person starts the movie and clicks the Teleparty button to create a party link, then sends it. Playback stays in sync and you get a chat sidebar. Agree on snacks, a start time and a no phones rule to make it feel like a date.
After the credits, Lovla turns a photo from your movie night into a coloring page you can color together while you talk about the film.
What Teleparty does
Teleparty, formerly called Netflix Party, synchronizes video playback between people in different places and adds a group chat. When one person pauses, everyone pauses. It works on top of the streaming sites you already use rather than replacing them.
According to Teleparty, supported services include Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, YouTube, ESPN Plus, Crunchyroll and Paramount Plus. Availability of each service still depends on your country.
What each of you needs
Check these before date night so the first twenty minutes are not spent troubleshooting.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| The extension or app | Browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Safari or Opera, or the Teleparty app on iOS or Android |
| Streaming access | Each person needs access to an account on the service you are watching |
| A shared account? | Possible only if the plan allows more than one stream at the same time |
| A supported device | Teleparty says smart TVs and game consoles are not currently supported |
| Camera and microphone | Turning them on requires Teleparty Premium; everyone can see and hear people who do |
How to host a Teleparty, step by step
- Sign in to the streaming service on your main profile
- Open the movie or episode and press play
- Click the Teleparty button in your browser toolbar, or start a party in the app
- Copy the party link and send it to your partner
- Your partner opens the link, signs in to the same service and joins
- Pause together, count down, and press play once you are both ready
Common problems and quick fixes
If the link does not open the party, check that your partner has installed the extension or app and is signed in to the same service. If one of you sees a different catalog, the title may not be available in their country; pick something you can both stream.
If you share one account and playback stops for one person, the plan probably does not allow two streams at once. Upgrade the plan or have each person use their own account.
Turn a synced movie into a real date
Synchronization handles the technology. These small rituals handle the feeling of being together.
- Order or make the same snack in both kitchens
- Dress the part: matching sweaters, pajamas or a theme from the film
- Take turns choosing, and the chooser writes a one line pitch beforehand
- Keep phones away except for the chat
- Stay on a call for ten minutes after the credits to talk it through
Movie ideas that work well apart
Choose films that leave you with something to talk about. Comfort rewatches work on tired nights. Twisty mysteries make the after call lively. Animated films are easy to follow even when one person is half asleep across a time zone.
Keep a shared list of films you want to watch together, and add one every time a friend recommends something. It removes the endless scrolling that eats into your evening.
Keep the memory after the credits
Take a photo of your setup, your snack or your matching socks, then turn it into a coloring page in Lovla and color it together on your next call. It is a small way to keep a record of the nights you spent watching side by side from different places.
Make a little more time for us.
After the credits, Lovla turns a photo from your movie night into a coloring page you can color together while you talk about the film.
Written by The Lovla Team. Find current product and access details on Lovla’s App Store page.