Plex removes popular feature from new streaming apps

Plex is making some changes to its app features, and one popular tool is getting the boot. The “Watch Together” feature that allowed Plex users to watch content simultaneously with friends and family won’t be available on the revamped mobile and TV apps.

The decision was announced on Plex’s community forum, where a representative mentioned that “Watch Together will not be available in the new Plex experience for most devices.” However, the feature will still be accessible through the Plex web app for the time being, with a possibility of similar functionality being reintroduced in the future using different tools.

The move to retire the Watch Together feature comes as Plex is focusing on redesigning its suite of apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, and other platforms. While this means leaving behind beloved features like Watch Together, Plex is aiming to streamline its development process to deliver more efficient updates across a wider range of devices.

Initially launched in May 2020, the Watch Together feature gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering users the ability to watch movies and TV shows with friends and family, no matter where they were located. Although the feature will no longer be available on the new mobile and TV apps, users can still enjoy it on the Plex web app.

While other streaming services have introduced similar watch-party features during the pandemic, Plex’s decision to discontinue Watch Together means users will have to rely on web browsers for social viewing sessions once the new apps are rolled out. SharePlay, a co-watching feature introduced by Apple, is not compatible with Plex, leaving web browsers as the only option for now.