SyncPlay

Self‑hosted 2‑person synchronized movie watch app.

Your video never leaves your machine, SyncPlay runs a tiny local web server and a desktop app.

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Features

• 🎬 Synchronized playback for 2 people
• 🌐 Works over local network or via VPN tools like Tailscale
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Avatars (art by x.com/emia_icons)
• 💬 Chat with emoji & GIF (GIPHY) & reactions
• 📝 Subtitles with live offset controls & broadcast to partner
• 🔑 OMDB movie title/details
• 💻 Desktop app

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Install

1. Go to the latest SyncPlay release:
   https://github.com/folliejester/SyncPlay/releases/latest
2. Under Assets, download the installer for your OS:
   • Windows: .exe or .msi
   • macOS: .dmg / .pkg / .zip
   • Linux: .AppImage / .deb / .rpm / .tar.gz
3. Run the installer.
4. Launch SyncPlay from your OS applications menu.

That’s it.

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First steps in the app

1. Open Menu → Settings:

   • Optionally add your OMDB and GIPHY API keys.
   • Optionally change the port (default 3001).
   • Click Save and Restart.

2. Use Select Video:

   • Choose Video – pick a .mp4, .mkv, .webm, or .avi.
   • Choose Subtitle – optional .srt or .vtt.

3. Click Invite Partner in app:

   • Share the Link with your partner.

4. Join the room:

   • Pick a username and avatar.
   • Chat, react with emoji/GIFs, and watch together.

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Advanced: run from source (Optional)

For development or running without the packaged installer.

Requirements

• Node.js (recent LTS recommended)
• npm

Setup

git clone https://github.com/folliejester/SyncPlay.git
cd SyncPlay
npm install

Desktop app (development)

npm run electron:dev

• Starts the internal server.
• Opens the Electron window.
• Menus: Settings, Select Video, Invite Partner, Help, Check for Updates, About.

Server‑only mode (browser)

node server.js

• Open the printed URL (e.g. http://localhost:3001) in your browser.
• Share the LAN URL with your partner (same Wi‑Fi).
• For remote use, put it behind a VPN (e.g. Tailscale) or your own tunneling/port‑forwarding.

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Project

• Repo: https://github.com/folliejester/SyncPlay
• Avatar art: x.com/emia_icons
• Love the project? Donate: https://donate.rxo.me