Is the Disney Plus 'GroupWatch' feature gone? Here's what we know

Recent developments suggest that GroupWatch feature has been removed from Disney Plus globally, leaving many users disheartened.

This innovative feature allowed subscribers to come together virtually. With friends and family, users could watch any title in the Disney Plus library, even when miles apart.

GroupWatch was a game-changer when it was first introduced. It automatically synchronized the streaming experience for everyone in a group.

In order to use this feature, households needed an active ad-free Disney Plus subscription. It also had to be located in the same country or region.

Is the Disney Plus ‘GroupWatch’ feature gone?

Unfortunately, as of now, GroupWatch appears to have disappeared from Disney Plus entirely, and subscribers are not pleased (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Why would you remove group watch??? My kid just moved out to college and this was a weekly ritual. I’m sure it had to do with money. Y’all suck. And everyone knows it. Corporate greed ruins everything.
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@DisneyPlus so how are you guys gonna remove group watch, one of the best additions you guys ever did with your streaming service, without letting us know or give us some sort of information about it???
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Multiple users are left perplexed as to why Disney decided to abruptly eliminate what was regarded as one of the platform’s top features without any warning.

For some, this feature was the only reason that they ever subscribed to Disney Plus (1,2,3). However, its sudden disappearance has left users feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

The frustration over GroupWatch’s removal is so palpable that it has led to some subscribers canceling their subscriptions.

Pretty annoyed that #Disney randomly removed the Group Watch feature from Disney+. There was no warning and they didn’t even bother to make an official statement about it. This and the upcoming price hike makes cancelling my sub an easy choice @Disney @DisneyPlus
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For those who enjoyed the communal aspect of streaming, GroupWatch was more than just a feature. It was surely a way to connect with loved ones and share cherished moments.

Disney chat support response

One of the affected users reached out to the customer service for clarity. And here is the representative’s response:

The support team on X also confirmed that the feature is no longer available as of Sep, 18. They even added that iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV users running on the latest version, can use the Apple SharePlay feature.

Hi, Joe! While the GroupWatch feature is no longer available as of 9/18/23, Disney+ subscribers who use an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV running on the latest iOS, iPadOS or tvOS version can use the Apple SharePlay feature to stream content together during a FaceTime call. Thank you!
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Even the support page for GroupWatch just redirects to the main site now.

Adding to the discontent, Disney Plus subscribers are also facing the prospect of a subscription price increase. This dilemma has understandably left many users feeling undervalued and disappointed.

In light of these recent developments, users can only make their voices heard. So, expressing your concerns may help bring attention to the importance of features like GroupWatch and encourage Disney to reconsider their decisions.

FYI you can submit feedback at the end after contacting live chat. If you use group watch, PLEASE fill this out and get everyone you know to do it as well.
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Whether Disney will heed the calls of its subscribers and reinstate the feature is yet to be seen.

In the meantime, we’ll keep tabs on the latest developments and update this article accordingly.

Note: You can also check out our dedicated Apps section for more such content.

Inline image source: Disney

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