You can invite anyone to join a FaceTime call, even people who don’t have an Apple device. Creating a link to a FaceTime call isn’t supported on iPhone models purchased in China mainland.
Set up FaceTime on iPad
You can also share your screen and show apps, webpages, and more during the conversation—show off a photo album, plan your next group vacation, or get feedback on something you’re working on—all while seeing and hearing the reactions of others on the call.
How to make a FaceTime call on your iPad
You can easily FaceTime on an iPad to connect with people in a video call using your device’s large screen. Unlike iPhones, iPads can’t connect to cellular networks, so you will need to have Internet access to make FaceTime work.
The FaceTime app that comes preloaded on every recent iPhone and iPad is one of the greatest tools we have for staying connected to one another. Assuming the person on the receiving end accepts, you will then be connected, either in a live video chat wherein you can see through their iPad or iPhone’s screen-side camera and they yours, or an audio call where you can speak but neither party can see one another.
And if you wish to start a group conversation, simply hit the blue “+” before placing the call and enter another contact, email, or number.
FaceTime: Everything You Need to Know
If you have an iPhone, FaceTime, much like iMessage, is activated automatically using your phone number, but you can also choose to use it with an email address instead. Getting FaceTime up and running happens automatically after your iPhone is activated with a SIM card, but if for some reason it’s not working or it’s been turned off, you can follow the steps in the how to below.
When you initiate a FaceTime call with someone, the front-facing camera on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone will activate so that the person on the other end can see you. Unlike a traditional phone call, FaceTime Audio can be placed on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and it uses either a WiFi or cellular connection. FaceTime Audio can be preferable to a standard phone call because it’s often higher quality because it uses a higher-quality codec that exceeds even HD voice services offered by carriers. You can also activate FaceTime Audio in Messages by tapping on a contact and then choosing the “Audio” option, or in the Contacts app by tapping on the phone icon under the FaceTime heading.
FaceTime works best when using WiFi, because a video connection between two parties can be data heavy. With Group FaceTime, you can video (or audio) chat with up to 32 people at one time.
Group FaceTime calls send a ringless notification to participants that can be tapped to join. Group FaceTime calls can be answered on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or HomePod, but with the latter two options, users can only join chats with audio and no video. Apple in iOS 13.5 added a feature for Group FaceTime that lets you toggle off Automatic Prominence, aka the feature that makes people’s tiles change size depending on who happens to be speaking. With Automatic Prominence turned off, people’s tiles won’t get bigger when they speak, and will instead be displayed in a grid view with equal sizes.
The banner is interactive and can be tapped to accept or decline a FaceTime call, with more information available in our guide to the iOS 14 interface. If you enable the “Eye Contact” feature in FaceTime’s settings, it tweaks the FaceTime video to make it look like you’re making eye contact with the person you’re talking to while you’re looking at the iPhone or iPad’s screen. You can choose any of the emoji-like Animoji characters or any of the Memoji that you’ve created for use in the Messages app. Animoji and Memoji use the TrueDepth camera system to track your head and mouth movements for a very realistic interactive experience.
When using FaceTime for a video call, you can capture a Live Photo of a moment during a chat. That prevents people from taking Live Photos of you during a chat without your knowledge.
SharePlay is was introduced in iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, tvOS 15.1, and macOS Monterey 12.1 after being delayed from the initial launch versions of the software. For a full rundown on SharePlay and other features introduced in the iOS 15 update, we have a dedicated guide.
If you’re getting unwanted FaceTime video and audio calls, there is an option to put a stop to them through the built-in blocking feature in the Contacts app.
All iPhones and iPads sold in China are limited to the standard FaceTime with video feature.
Note that if you purchase an iPhone or iPad in China or the United Arab Emirates and then attempt to use it in another country, the FaceTime features listed above will be disabled. Purchasing an iPhone from China or the Middle East is not recommended unless you live in those places.
How to make a FaceTime call on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Video calling has risen in popularity over the past few years and it’s definitely a good way to keep in contact with one another when we can’t physically see our loved ones. If you want to FaceTime with a group, just continue to enter more names, email addresses, or numbers until you have everyone.
Turn off video or mute yourself on FaceTime call in iOS 15: Start or answer a FaceTime call, then tap the Microphone or Camera toggle on the floating toolbar (Image credit: iMore) Make a FaceTime call in Monterey: Type a contact or click a suggested one (Image credit: iMore)
In iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, Apple introduced the ability to allow non-Apple devices to join FaceTime chats. Enter more names, email addresses or numbers if you want to create a group call. Make a FaceTime call on iPhone or iPad, showing how to enter additional names as desired, then tap Audio or Video (Image credit: iMore) How to make a FaceTime audio or video call on macOS Big Sur and older
Enter the name, email address, or phone number of the person you want to call. Enter more names, email addresses, or numbers if you want to create a group call. Make FaceTIme calls from your Mac, showing how to enter additional names, email addresses, or phone numbers as desired, then click Audio or Video (Image credit: iMore) Turn off video while on a FaceTime call on iPhone by showing: Swipe up from the bottom pane, tap Camera Off (Image credit: iMore)
Alternatively, say “FaceTime” then wait for Siri to prompt you before speaking your contact’s name. As you can see, it’s quite easy to make FaceTime calls on all of your Apple devices, including the iPhone 13, iPad, and even on the best Mac. There are some minor changes with how to make a FaceTime call in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey compared to previous software iterations though, which is why we included both versions for the time being.
How to use FaceTime on iPhone and iPad
FaceTime is an Apple service that allows you to make video and audio calls over your wi-fi or mobile phone for free. Open the FaceTime app on your phone and sign in with your Apple ID. If you’re using an iPad or iPod touch, that doesn’t have a sim card, register your email address by tapping Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in with your Apple ID. To make a FaceTime call, you need the person’s phone number or registered email address.
Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID, if prompted. Then use the search field to enter the email address or phone number of the person who you want to call.
If you’re using macOS Mojave 10.14.3 (build 18D109) or later, you can use Group FaceTime to chat with up to 32 people.
How to Use FaceTime on the iPad
Open the FaceTime app, press + , and add your desired contacts to your call. One of the benefits of owning an iPad is the ability to place phone calls through the device, and one popular way of doing so is through FaceTime.
The app is already installed on your iPad, and because it works through your Apple ID, you are ready to place and receive phone calls at any time. If FaceTime isn’t already on your iPad, you can download it from the App Store for free. The FaceTime app is easy to use and just takes a couple of taps to get you in touch with your friends and family. The person you are calling must also have an Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
FaceTime will initiate the call, and the person or people on the other side will receive alerts that you’re contacting them.
iOS 15 Lets iPhone and Android Users FaceTime
If you’re on the lookout for an alternative to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, you may want to check out this new FaceTime feature in iOS 15. In fact, FaceTime relies on the new iOS 15 operating system — now available to download free — to look and work more like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. In addition to letting you video-chat with people outside Apple’s bubble, FaceTime updates include a new grid view, Portrait mode, the ability to schedule calls and a watch party feature called SharePlay. If you’re an Apple user and have downloaded iOS 15, here’s how to get a FaceTime call started with people on Android or Windows devices.
On the same screen, you’ll see options to share the link through text, email, Twitter, calendar or other apps you have on your phone. When the Android or Windows user clicks the link, it will take them to a waiting room where you can allow them to join the call by tapping a check next to their name. The screen will say “Waiting to be let in” until the person who invited you approves you to join the call. Apple noted at WWDC in June that even on the web, FaceTime calls are always end-to-end encrypted.
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