A method for media playback, the method comprising: transmitting, from a leader device to a plurality of follower devices that each belong to a group of media playback devices in a group media playback session, control instructions that cause a media content item to be synchronously presented with the leader device and each of the plurality of follower devices in the group of media playback devices; during the synchronous presentation of the media content item, receiving an indication to halt presentation of the media content item by the leader device; in response to receiving the indication to halt presentation of the media content item by the leader device, determining whether the leader device is to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices in the group media playback session; and either, in response to determining that the leader device is to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices, halting the presentation of the media content item on the leader device while continuing to transmit updated control instructions that cause the media content item in the group media playback session to continue being synchronously presented on the plurality of follower devices remaining in the group of media playback devices, or, in response to determining that the leader device is not to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices, designating an updated leader device for the group media playback session, wherein the updated leader device is one of the follower devices of the group of media playback devices or a new device that is added to the group media playback session, wherein a stream of content corresponding to the content item being presented in the group media playback session is transferred from the leader device to the updated leader device by the leader device or by using a server that stores and maintains information associated with the group media playback session. transmitting, from a leader device to a plurality of follower devices that each belong to a group of media playback devices in a group media playback session, control instructions that cause a media content item to be synchronously presented with the leader device and each of the plurality of follower devices in the group of media playback devices; during the synchronous presentation of the media content item, receiving an indication to halt presentation of the media content item by the leader device; in response to receiving the indication to halt presentation of the media content item by the leader device, determining whether the leader device is to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices in the group media playback session; and either, in response to determining that the leader device is to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices, halting the presentation of the media content item on the leader device while continuing to transmit updated control instructions that cause the media content item in the group media playback session to continue being synchronously presented on the plurality of follower devices remaining in the group of media playback devices, or, in response to determining that the leader device is not to remain the leader device of the group of media playback devices, designating an updated leader device for the group media playback session, wherein the updated leader device is one of the follower devices of the group of media playback devices or a new device that is added to the group media playback session, wherein a stream of content corresponding to the content item being presented in the group media playback session is transferred from the leader device to the updated leader device by the leader device or by using a server that stores and maintains information associated with the group media playback session.