You can watch YouTube and supported public Google Drive videos together on a phone through LofiCouch's mobile web app. Open the room in a supported mobile browser, sign in and join using the host's invitation link or room code. You do not need the LofiCouch extension for these videos.
For Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and Crunchyroll watch parties, use LofiCouch's supported desktop setup with the free extension. Installing a provider's phone app does not add LofiCouch watch-party support to it.
| Video source | iPhone or Android mobile web | Supported desktop setup |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube videos available to everyone and allowed to embed | Yes, without the extension | Yes, without the extension |
| Publicly shared, streamable Google Drive videos | Yes, without the extension | Yes, without the extension |
| Netflix | Use a desktop for a LofiCouch watch party | Free extension and each viewer's provider access required |
| Prime Video | Use a desktop for a LofiCouch watch party | Free extension and each viewer's provider access required |
| JioHotstar | Use a desktop for a LofiCouch watch party | Free extension and each viewer's provider access required |
| Crunchyroll | Use a desktop for a LofiCouch watch party | Free extension and each viewer's provider access required |
The desktop extension uses a supported Chromium-based browser. On phones, use an up-to-date mobile browser supported by LofiCouch. If you are unsure about your device, the Help Center can help you check the right setup.
Send the YouTube link around before the watch party. Check that it opens for each person. A video can play on YouTube itself but still be unavailable in an embedded player, or be restricted by region or account requirements.
Choose a backup if needed. You can find more setup details in the YouTube watch-party guide.
Use your own LofiCouch account. Hosts and guests both sign in; receiving an invitation does not remove that step.
This is a browser-based setup. You do not need to download the LofiCouch extension to watch supported YouTube or public Drive videos on your phone.
If you are hosting, choose Create Room and invite the other people. If you are joining, open the host's invitation link or enter the room code through the joining option.
A room holds up to four people, including the host. That can be you and a partner, a few friends or two couples.
Paste the video link into the room's video-entry control. The host leads playback.
If the player asks you to tap to begin playback, tap it and follow the browser's prompt. Permission to start playback is separate from the room's queue behavior, so a prompt does not necessarily mean the invitation failed.
Use text chat while watching, or choose voice chat and allow microphone access when prompted. You can mute yourself through the room's voice controls.
Headphones can help prevent the movie from feeding back into the microphone. Lower the video volume if it is making conversation hard to hear.
Keep the room open while you watch. If playback stops after you switch away, return to the room and check the player or browser message.
LofiCouch supports publicly shared, streamable Google Drive video files. A file restricted to particular Google accounts is not supported by this viewing path.
Ask the file owner for a suitable public video link and confirm that you have permission to use the video.
Check that the file is ready to play, rather than still processing or showing an access error.
Sign in to LofiCouch and create or join the room.
Add the public Drive video link and let the host start playback.
Google Drive's "Anyone with the link" sharing option lets people open a file without signing in to a Google Account. That is different from sharing a file with specific email addresses. The owner should choose permissions appropriate to the content; a private LofiCouch room does not make the underlying public Drive file private. Google Drive sharing help
For more detail, read watching Google Drive videos together.
Yes, for YouTube and supported public Google Drive videos. Everyone signs in to the same LofiCouch room from their own device, and the host starts the chosen video.
For example, one person can join on a phone while their partner uses a laptop for a YouTube night. Choose the source first: using a laptop for one participant does not make the desktop-only subscription setup available to a guest on a phone.
LofiCouch uses its desktop extension to coordinate playback on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and Crunchyroll. The LofiCouch extension is not supported on phones.
Chrome's phone option to "Add to Desktop" queues an extension for a computer. It does not install that extension in your phone browser. Google Chrome extension help
For these services, every viewer needs the free extension in a supported desktop browser and their own provider access, including any subscription, regional availability and account-plan limits. See how the desktop extension works.
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| A play or sound prompt | Tap the player and follow the browser's instruction for that page. |
| A YouTube video is unavailable | Check that everyone can access it and that embedded playback is allowed. Try another suitable video. |
| A Drive permission or processing message | Ask the owner to check the file's public access and whether it is ready to play. |
| You can watch but cannot hear your friend | Check mute, microphone permission and your speaker or headphone output. Text chat is available while you check. |
| You have chosen a subscription streaming service | Switch everyone to the supported desktop extension setup, or choose YouTube/public Drive for the phone session. |
YouTube also recommends checking your connection and keeping the browser current when troubleshooting playback. YouTube playback help
If the problem continues, email hello@loficouch.com with your phone model, operating system, browser, video source and the message you see. Hide private room codes and personal details in screenshots. Do not send passwords or verification codes.
This setup uses LofiCouch's mobile web app. You can watch supported YouTube and public Google Drive videos in your browser without installing the LofiCouch extension.
Use the supported desktop setup for a LofiCouch Netflix watch party. The desktop extension does not run on iPhones or Android phones. For a phone watch party, choose YouTube or a supported public Google Drive video.
Yes, using supported mobile browsers and a supported YouTube or public Google Drive video. Both people need their own LofiCouch accounts and access to the chosen video.
A suitable publicly shared Drive file can be opened without signing in to Google. Everyone still needs their own LofiCouch account to join the room. Files shared only with particular Google accounts are not supported by LofiCouch's Drive viewing path.
LofiCouch includes voice and text chat. Allow microphone access if you want to speak, or use text chat. LofiCouch does not currently provide camera calls.
Yes. Hosting a watch party is free. Your internet or mobile-data costs and any paid content access remain separate.
Choose a video you can both open, send the invitation and settle into your room. For an evening with a little more planning, try a long-distance movie night or an online double date.