How to watch a movie together on a plane
One screen, two pairs of headphones, the same audio in both.
Short answer: put the movie on one iPhone or iPad and send its sound to the second person's phone, so each of you listens through your own headphones. B2Gaudio does this: the host device plays the video, and a second iPhone joins the session and plays the audio in time with the picture. The two devices connect to each other directly, so you don't need to buy in-flight WiFi.
iPhone and iPad also have a built-in Share Audio feature, but it only works with some AirPods and Beats headphones. B2Gaudio works with whatever headphones each person already uses with their own phone.
How to set it up
Before the flight: get the video onto the host device
Install B2Gaudio on both devices, then import the video file into B2Gaudio from the Files app. Do this on the ground, while you still have internet.
On the plane: turn WiFi on
Airplane mode lets you switch WiFi back on. You don't have to join the plane's network. B2Gaudio can connect the two devices over Apple's peer-to-peer WiFi.
Host starts a session and plays the video
The video plays on the host's screen.
The second person taps join
Their phone plays the movie's audio in sync with the host, through their own headphones.
The picture stays on one screen
B2Gaudio sends the audio, not the video. The joining phone doesn't show the movie, so plan to share the host's screen. An iPad propped on a tray table is the easy setup.
What works and what doesn't
- Works with video files saved on the host device and imported from the Files app.
- It doesn't play video from streaming apps.
- Both people need an iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later, and both need B2Gaudio installed.
- It doesn't use Bluetooth or AirPlay to link the devices.
- Follow the crew's instructions on device use.
Questions people ask
How can two people watch the same movie on a plane with separate headphones?
Play the movie on one device and send its audio to the other person's phone. With B2Gaudio the host device plays the video and a second iPhone joins and plays the audio in sync through its own headphones.
Does it need in-flight WiFi?
No. Turn WiFi on (airplane mode allows it) and B2Gaudio can connect the two devices directly over Apple's peer-to-peer WiFi. Load the video before you board.
Can the second phone show the movie too?
No. B2Gaudio sends only the audio. You watch on the host's screen and each person hears it on their own device.
What videos can I use?
Video files saved on the host device and imported from the Files app. It doesn't play video from streaming apps.
Can I just use a headphone splitter instead?
If you both have wired headphones and a device with a headphone jack or adapter, a splitter works. B2Gaudio is for when each person has their own phone and headphones.