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YouTube watch party: watch YouTube together, in sync

By the Popmelon team · Last updated

Sending a YouTube link and counting “3, 2, 1, play” almost never keeps everyone on the same second. With Popmelon, a free browser extension, you start a party and share one link. Everyone watches YouTube on their own screen in desktop Chrome, Brave or another Chromium browser, and Popmelon keeps every player in sync while you chat, react and talk with free video and voice calls.

At a glance

  • Cost: Popmelon is free to use, video and voice calls included.
  • Who needs what: everyone needs Popmelon, a Google sign-in for it, and to be able to play the video.
  • Where it works: desktop Chrome, 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 calls.

What everyone needs

  • A computer with a Chromium browser. Chrome, Brave or another Chromium-based browser, version 116 or later. Popmelon doesn’t run on phones, tablets, TVs, Safari or Firefox.
  • Popmelon, and a Google sign-in. Everyone adds their own copy from the Chrome Web Store and signs in with Google the first time they start or join a party.
  • A video everyone can play. Private, age-restricted or region-blocked videos may not play for everyone. If someone in your group can’t open the video on YouTube, Popmelon can’t sync it for them either.
  • Headphones, if you’ll be on a call. They keep the video from echoing into your microphone.

How to start a YouTube 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. Nothing needs to be playing yet.
  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 need to, and click Join party.
  4. Choose YouTube. In the party room, pick YouTube. Popmelon opens a YouTube tab; find the video you want to watch.
  5. Press play. Everyone’s YouTube player follows. A friend whose tab isn’t open yet clicks Go to YouTube 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 video. 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.
  • Ads and buffering don’t split you up. If your player is loading, buffering or showing an ad, Popmelon waits for it and then catches you up with the party.
  • Talk the way you like. Chat and reactions sit right on the video. Click Join call to talk on video or voice; your microphone and camera stay off until you turn them on.
  • One link all night. Change to the next video, a film on Netflix or an album on Spotify Web Player, 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 scene is an illustration.

What to watch together

  • A creator’s new upload, the moment it drops, with the chat going.
  • Music videos and live sessions, taking turns to pick the next one.
  • Trailers, to decide what to watch on movie night.
  • Documentaries and long video essays, with a pause whenever someone wants to talk.
  • Old favourites: the clips your group still quotes.

Honest limits

  • Desktop only, for now. There are no phone, tablet or TV apps, and Popmelon doesn’t work in Safari or Firefox.
  • Live streams aren’t supported yet. Popmelon syncs regular YouTube videos.
  • Everyone installs Popmelon. A friend can’t join from a browser that doesn’t have it.
  • YouTube’s rules still apply. Ads, regional limits and what each person’s account can play stay the same.
  • 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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Popmelon free?

Yes. Popmelon is free to use, video and voice calls included.

Can we watch a YouTube live stream together?

Not yet. Popmelon syncs regular YouTube videos; live streams aren’t supported yet.

What happens when one of us gets an ad?

Popmelon waits for that person’s ad to finish, then catches them up. The host can also choose to pause the party until every ad ends. We’re still confirming this with ads on real YouTube accounts, so tell us if it slips.

Can we use it on a phone or a TV?

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

Can we see each other while we watch?

Yes. Click Join call for free video and voice calls in the party. Your microphone and camera start off.

Start your first YouTube 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.

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