You can use FaceTime over Wi-Fi1 or over cellular on supported iOS or iPadOS devices2. FaceTime isn’t available or might not appear on devices purchased or used in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan. However, with iOS 11.3 and later, FaceTime is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in Saudi Arabia. And with iOS 12.4 or later, FaceTime is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in Pakistan. Update your device to get FaceTime in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID. You can also do this from Settings > FaceTime.
If you're using an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number. To also register your email address on your iPhone, go to Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in with your Apple ID.
If you're using an iPad or iPod touch, 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. There are a few ways to make a FaceTime call:
Group FaceTime calls are easier to start than group audio calls because you can call everyone at once instead of having to wait while merging calls. Tap the plus sign '+' icon in.
When another call comes in — either a phone call or another FaceTime audio call — you can choose one of these options:
On an iPhone X or later, or an iPad with Face ID, you can create a Memoji to match your personality and mood, then use the Memoji during a FaceTime video call:
To change your Animoji or Memoji, or to remove it during a FaceTime call, repeat steps 2–4.
With iOS 12.1.4 and later, and iPadOS, you can capture moments with your friends and family using Live Photos during a FaceTime video call. Here's how:
To save FaceTime Live Photos, all participants need iOS 12.1.4 or later, or iPadOS. Not all features of FaceTime Live Photos are available with earlier versions of iOS. FaceTime Live Photos doesn’t work with iOS 11.
1. You can use FaceTime on any of these devices on Wi-Fi: iPhone 4 or later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad 2 or later, iPad mini (all models), and iPod touch 4th generation or later (only iPod touch 5th generation or later support FaceTime audio calling).
2. With a cellular data plan, you can also use FaceTime without Wi-Fi on any of these devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad Pro (all models), and iPad (3rd generation or later).
3. When you tap a person's contact information, FaceTime tries to connect using any FaceTime-enabled numbers or addresses that you have stored for that person. To avoid placing calls to unintended recipients, make sure that your contacts are accurate and don't contain old or unused information.
You can make a FaceTime call to one or more people who have a Mac, iOS device, or iPadOS device that meets these requirements. FaceTime calls use Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Ask Siri. Say something like:
“FaceTime mom”
“FaceTime audio [phone number]”
Learn how to ask Siri.
You can also make a phone call to anyone right from your Mac, using the cellular connection of your nearby iPhone. See Make and receive phone calls in FaceTime.
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, sign in and make sure FaceTime is turned on.
In the field at the top of the FaceTime window, enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. You may need to press Return.
If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name. For information about adding contacts, see Add contacts while using FaceTime.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
To start the FaceTime call, click the Video button or the Audio button (or use the Touch Bar).
If you click the Audio button and you’re set up to make phone calls on your Mac, you can choose whether to make a FaceTime audio call or a phone call. When you’re in an audio call or a phone call, the camera is automatically off.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, mute or change the volume for the call, or add more people to a FaceTime call.
If you make a video call that’s declined or unanswered, you can click the Message button to send the person an iMessage (both of you must be signed in to iMessage).
You can call up to 32 people at the same time in a Group FaceTime call. (See Group FaceTime requirements.)
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, sign in and make sure FaceTime is turned on.
In the field at the top of the FaceTime window, enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. You may need to press Return.
If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name. For information about adding contacts, see Add contacts while using FaceTime.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
Repeat step 2 until all participants are listed.
To start the FaceTime call, click the Video button or the Audio button (or use the Touch Bar).
If you click the Audio button and you’re set up to make phone calls on your Mac, you can choose whether to make a FaceTime audio call or a phone call. When you’re on a FaceTime audio call or phone call, the camera is automatically off.
Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks or you click a tile, that tile moves to the front and becomes more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom of the screen. To find a participant you don’t see, scroll through the row.
Tip: If you don’t want the tile of the person speaking to become larger, you can deselect the option in FaceTime preferences. Choose FaceTime > Preferences, click Settings, then deselect Speaking under Automatic Prominence.
To send an audible alert to a caller who hasn’t yet joined the call, click the Sidebar button , then click Ring.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, or mute or change the volume for the call.
When you’re on a FaceTime call, you can add more people to the call (up to a maximum of 32 other people) even if you didn’t start the call. (See Group FaceTime requirements.)
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, make or participate in a FaceTime call or a Group FaceTime call.
Click the Sidebar button .
Click the Add Person button , then enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
Click Add.
Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks or you click a tile, that tile moves to the front and becomes more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom of the screen. To find a participant you don’t see, scroll through the row.
Tip: If you don’t want the tile of the person speaking to become larger, you can deselect the option in FaceTime preferences. Choose FaceTime > Preferences, click Settings, then deselect Speaking under Automatic Prominence.
To send an audible alert to a caller who hasn’t yet joined the call, click the Sidebar button , then click Ring.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, or mute or change the volume for the call.
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, do one of the following to end a call:
End an audio call: Click the End button in the notification.
End a video call: Move the pointer over the call window, then click the End Call button (or use the Touch Bar).
After you end a Group FaceTime call, it remains active until all participants leave the call. To rejoin it, click the Join Video button .