Turn Off SharePlay on Apple TV: Full Guide

To turn off SharePlay on Apple TV, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity, then set SharePlay to Off. This stops others from adding songs or videos to your Apple TV via SharePlay, while still allowing standard AirPlay streaming.

What Is SharePlay on Apple TV?

SharePlay is a feature introduced in Apple’s ecosystem that lets multiple people watch or listen to content together in sync. On Apple TV, SharePlay allows friends and family to contribute media to the queue—adding songs to Apple Music or movies to the “Up Next� list—using their own iPhones or iPads. It’s designed for social viewing, but many users find it disruptive when someone unexpectedly adds content or pauses playback.

SharePlay works over AirPlay, Apple’s wireless streaming protocol. When enabled, any iPhone or iPad on the same network (or even nearby via Bluetooth) can send media to the Apple TV and control the playback session. This is different from standard AirPlay, where a single device streams its own content; SharePlay creates a shared session where multiple devices can contribute.

Why You Might Want to Turn It Off

There are several common reasons to disable SharePlay:

• Unwanted interruptions: Family members or guests can accidentally (or intentionally) add songs or videos, disrupting what you’re watching.
• Privacy concerns: You may not want everyone on your network to have control over your Apple TV.
• Battery drain: If your iPhone stays connected to a SharePlay session, it can drain battery faster due to continuous sync.
• Confusion with AirPlay: Some users think SharePlay is the reason their AirPlay isn’t working as expected; disabling it can simplify things.

Turning off SharePlay does not disable AirPlay itself. You can still stream from your own devices, but others won’t be able to join a shared session.

How to Turn Off SharePlay on Apple TV (Step-by-Step)

The exact steps depend on your Apple TV model and tvOS version. Here’s the general process for tvOS 15 and later:

1. On your Apple TV, open the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Scroll down and select General.
3. Choose AirPlay & Continuity.
4. Under the “Allow AirPlay� section, you’ll see an option for SharePlay. Toggle it to Off.

If you don’t see “SharePlay� in that menu, your tvOS may be older. In that case, look for a setting called “Allow AirPlay� and set it to “Same Network� or “Only This TV� to limit who can connect. Alternatively, you can turn off AirPlay entirely by selecting “Off� under “Allow AirPlay� (though this also disables standard AirPlay).

After disabling SharePlay, any active sessions will end, and future requests to join will be blocked. You can always re-enable it later by following the same steps.

What Happens When You Turn It Off?

Once SharePlay is off:

• Other devices can no longer add media to your Apple TV’s playback queue.
• Your Apple TV will not appear as an available destination for SharePlay sessions from iPhones or iPads.
• Standard AirPlay still works—you can stream from your own device as usual.
• If someone tries to start a SharePlay session, they’ll see a message that the Apple TV isn’t available.

Note that disabling SharePlay doesn’t affect other features like AirPlay Mirroring or screen mirroring. Those remain unchanged.

How to Turn Off SharePlay on iPhone or iPad (Alternative)

If you want to prevent your own device from participating in SharePlay sessions, you can also disable it on the iPhone/iPad side:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap General.
3. Select AirPlay & Continuity.
4. Toggle off SharePlay.

This stops your device from sending or receiving SharePlay invitations, but it doesn’t affect the Apple TV’s setting. For complete control, you may want to disable it on both devices.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are some problems users encounter and how to solve them:

• I turned off SharePlay but others can still control playback: Check if they’re using standard AirPlay (which is still enabled). If you want to block all external control, turn off “Allow AirPlayâ€� entirely.
• SharePlay option is missing: Make sure your Apple TV is updated to tvOS 15 or later. Older versions don’t have this setting.
• After disabling, AirPlay stops working: This shouldn’t happen, but if it does, restart your Apple TV and try again. Also ensure your iPhone/iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Can’t find “AirPlay & Continuityâ€� in Settings: On some older tvOS versions, the path is Settings > General > AirPlay. Look there.

If you’re still having trouble, restarting both the Apple TV and your iOS device often resolves temporary glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off SharePlay affect AirPlay Mirroring?

No. AirPlay Mirroring (also called Screen Mirroring) is a separate feature. Disabling SharePlay only stops shared sessions; you can still mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to the Apple TV.

Can I turn off SharePlay only for certain people?

There’s no built-in way to allow SharePlay for some people and not others. You can either enable it for everyone on your network or disable it globally. For more granular control, you could set “Allow AirPlay� to “Same Network� and manage your Wi-Fi network access.

Why is SharePlay on by default?

Apple enables SharePlay by default to encourage social viewing. It’s part of the “it just works� philosophy, but many users prefer to disable it for privacy or simplicity. You can turn it off in a few taps.

Will disabling SharePlay stop others from pausing my video?

Yes, if they were using SharePlay to control playback. However, if they use standard AirPlay (which is still enabled), they can still pause or stop the stream from their device. To prevent that, you’d need to disable AirPlay entirely.

Does SharePlay work over the internet, not just Wi-Fi?

SharePlay requires both devices to be on the same local network (or connected via a compatible peer-to-peer connection). It doesn’t work over the internet unless you’re using FaceTime or a similar app that supports remote SharePlay, which is separate from the Apple TV setting.

If I turn off SharePlay, can I still use the “Up Next� queue on Apple TV?

Yes. The “Up Next� queue is a feature of the Apple TV app itself. SharePlay only affects who can add items to that queue from other devices. You can still manage the queue directly on the Apple TV.

Related

• Statistical Modeling in America: Uses and Pitfalls
• DMZ Key Locations: Which Door Each Key Opens
• How to Stop Loot Boxes & In-Game Spending