TikTok is the latest to get a SharePlay update, adds new 'For Us' page during FaceTime calls

Tiktok On iPhone (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

TikTok has been updated to add support for iOS 15's SharePlay.
The 'For You' page turns into a 'For Us' page when SharePlay is enabled via FaceTime.

Popular video streaming and sharing app TikTok has been updated to add support for SharePlay and it actually offers a pretty great use of the new iOS 15 feature.

As spotted by a Twitter user and then spied by 9to5Mac, using SharePlay over FaceTime causes TikTok's 'For You' page to turn into a 'For Us' page, effectively mixing the feed using videos that would normally be served to the people on the call. It's an interesting idea, although it does potentially open the door for embarrassment depending on which side of TikTok you happen to be on.

It’s essentially a synced page between the devices on the SharePlay session, it also seems to mix interests. From what I can tell it just mixes them, although when I swiped to the next video it seemed more targeted towards me, when Tom swiped it seemed targeted towards him https://t.co/rfcMwtj6ZcIt’s essentially a synced page between the devices on the SharePlay session, it also seems to mix interests. From what I can tell it just mixes them, although when I swiped to the next video it seemed more targeted towards me, when Tom swiped it seemed targeted towards him https://t.co/rfcMwtj6Zc— Aether (@AetherAurelia) November 15, 2021 November 15, 2021

Predictably, TikTok's release notes make no mention of SharePlay whatsoever, but the feature is definitely there.

Being able to watch videos via SharePlay could be a great way for people to enjoy time together even when they have to be apart and it's super cool to see TikTok taking advantage of the API in this way. It'll be super interesting to see what other apps offer in the future, too.

Anyone with a TikTok account should be able to take this for a spin so long as all parties are using iOS 15.1 or later. Simply start a FaceTime call, open TikTok, and tap the SharePlay button.

SharePlay is probably one of the best iPhone features that most people don't know exists. Apps like TikTok adding support will hopefully improve matters in that regard.

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too.

Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.

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