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Netflix watch party: watch Netflix together online, in sync

By the Popmelon team · Last updated

Netflix doesn’t have a built-in way to watch together from different homes, so you need a tool that keeps everyone’s playback in step. With Popmelon, a free browser extension, the host starts a party and shares one link. Each person plays Netflix on their own account in desktop Chrome, Brave or another Chromium browser. Popmelon keeps the video in sync while you chat, react and talk with free video and voice chat.

At a glance

  • Cost: Popmelon is free to use. Netflix subscriptions are separate.
  • Who needs what: everyone needs Popmelon and their own Netflix access.
  • Where it works: desktop Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave and other Chromium browsers, version 116 or later. It doesn’t work on phones or TVs.
  • Talking: text chat, emoji reactions and free video and voice chat.

What everyone needs before you start

  • A computer with a Chromium browser. That means Chrome, Edge, Brave or another Chromium-based browser, version 116 or later. Popmelon doesn’t run on phones, tablets, TVs, Safari or Firefox.
  • Popmelon installed. Everyone adds their own copy from the Chrome Web Store. Edge and Brave use the same listing. Edge asks once to “Allow extensions from other stores”; choose Allow.
  • Their own Netflix access. Popmelon doesn’t provide Netflix or unlock anything. Netflix’s Terms of Use say an account is for one household, so friends in other homes use their own accounts.
  • The same title where they live. Netflix’s catalogue differs from country to country. If your group is spread out, check that the film or show is available to everyone before movie night.
  • Headphones, if you’ll use voice chat. They keep the film from echoing into your microphone.

How to start a Netflix watch party in 5 steps

  1. Add and pin Popmelon. Add Popmelon from the Chrome Web Store, then pin it from your browser’s extensions menu (the puzzle-piece icon) so it’s one click away.
  2. Start a party. Click the Popmelon icon and choose Start a party. The first time, it asks you to sign in with Google. You don’t need anything playing yet. Your party room opens, and you can gather everyone before you pick a title.
  3. Share the party link. Click Copy party link and paste it into your group chat. Friends open it on their computer, add Popmelon if they don’t have it yet, and click Join party.
  4. Choose Netflix. In the party room, pick Netflix. Popmelon opens a party tab. Sign in to Netflix if it asks, choose your profile and find what you want to watch.
  5. Press play. Everyone’s Netflix tab follows. Friends watch in their own Netflix tab; if theirs isn’t open yet, they click Go to Netflix tab in the party room. Your browser may ask you to press play once.
Popmelon’s toolbar popup with a Start a party button, next to the words Start together, pick later.
Start a party before anyone picks a title. Popmelon’s own screen, with an illustrative name.

What it’s like during the party

  • Anyone can press pause. By default, anyone in the party can play, pause or skip, and everyone sees who did it. The host can change Who can play, pause and skip to Only you, so everyone follows the host. A guest can click Ask to host, and the host can pass the remote to someone else at any time.
  • Everyone catches up after their own hiccups. If your player is still loading, buffering or showing an ad, Popmelon waits for it and then catches you up with the party.
  • Talk the way you like. Chat lives in the party room. On the Netflix tab, Popmelon’s floating controls hold emoji reactions, chat and Join call for video and voice. Your microphone and camera stay off until you turn them on.
  • One link all night. Move on to the next episode, a different film or a YouTube video, and the same party link and chat stay with you.
Popmelon’s floating control bar, a row of emoji reactions and a chat box over an illustrated film scene.
Popmelon’s floating controls, reactions and chat on a watch page. The film is an illustration, not Netflix video.

Why not just screen-share Netflix?

Netflix video is copy-protected. When you share it on Discord, Zoom or Meet, friends may see a black screen instead of the film, and Popmelon’s own screen share has the same limit. Screen sharing also means everyone watches your stream rather than their own, and Netflix’s terms keep an account within its household.

Synced playback avoids all three problems. Each person streams Netflix from their own account, at the quality their own plan, browser and connection allow, and Popmelon only keeps the timing together. Popmelon doesn’t change the video, get around copy protection or ask for your Netflix password.

Honest limits

  • Desktop only, for now. There are no phone, tablet or TV apps, and Popmelon doesn’t work in Safari or Firefox.
  • Everyone installs Popmelon. A guest can’t join from a browser that doesn’t have it.
  • Brave isn’t on Netflix’s list. On 5 October 2026, Netflix’s help page listed Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Safari as supported browsers. If Netflix won’t play in Brave, use Chrome.
  • Netflix’s rules still apply. Your plan, its ads, how many screens it allows and what’s available in each country all stay the same. Netflix also sets the highest picture quality for each browser.
  • Popmelon is new. It’s a small, independent project. If something doesn’t work, the help page covers the usual fixes and how to reach us.
Popmelon party room with three friends, the host label, a Pass the remote hint and a short chat about the next movie.
The party room keeps your people and chat when the host changes titles. Popmelon’s own screen, with illustrative names.

Frequently asked questions

Does Netflix have a built-in watch party?

No. As of October 2026 we found no way in Netflix’s Help Center to watch together remotely in sync, so groups use a browser extension such as Popmelon.

Is Popmelon free?

Yes. Popmelon is free to use, video and voice chat included. Each person still needs their own Netflix access.

Can we all use one Netflix account?

Netflix’s Terms of Use say an account is for your household. Friends in other homes should use their own accounts.

Can friends in other countries join?

Yes, as long as the title is on Netflix in each of their countries. Catalogues differ by region, and Popmelon doesn’t change that.

Is Popmelon the same as Netflix Party?

No. Netflix Party is now called Teleparty, as Teleparty’s own Chrome Web Store listing says. Popmelon is a separate, independent extension.

Can we use it on a phone or a TV?

Not yet. Popmelon works only in desktop Chrome, Edge, Brave and other Chromium browsers.

Does Popmelon see my Netflix password?

No. Popmelon never asks for your Netflix sign-in; you sign in on Netflix’s own site. See what Popmelon sees and keeps.

Start your first Netflix watch party

Add Popmelon, start a party and send the link. Your friends add Popmelon too, then you press play together.

Add Popmelon to Chrome. It’s free

Works in desktop Chrome, Brave and other Chromium browsers. Everyone installs their own copy.

Netflix is a trademark of Netflix, Inc. Popmelon is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Netflix, YouTube, Spotify or Google.