How to Make a FaceTime Call on Your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac

On an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number. This means someone can FaceTime you through your phone number, just like a regular call.

4. To register your email address on your iPhone or on your iPad or iPod touch where you might not have a phone number, simply go to Settings | FaceTime| Use your Apple ID for FaceTime and sign in with your Apple ID.

Some things to note:

• If you want to start a FaceTime video call on your iPhone while chatting on a regular call, tap the FaceTime icon in the phone app to switch immediately to FaceTime.

• If you make a video call that’s unanswered or declined, click Message to send the person an iMessage. Beginning in fall 2023, with the iOS 17 for iPhone, you’ll be able to leave someone a video voicemail message over FaceTime.

On a Mac

Using a Mac laptop or desktop is just as easy. Be sure to sign in with your Apple ID and enable FaceTime. Again, you’ll only do this once. Your Mac needs a camera and microphone for a FaceTime call.

1. Open the FaceTime app. At the top of the screen, click New FaceTime to place a call to another Apple user or Create Link to call someone on Windows or Android (how-to instructions below).

2. Enter the email address or phone number you want to reach. You may need to press the return key.

3. If the recipient is in your contacts, enter their name. Click the video camera button or phone icon for an audio-only call.

Some things to note:

• You can choose whether to make a FaceTime audio call or a regular phone call through your Mac if you have your iPhone nearby and you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If it doesn't work, on your iPhone, go to Settings | Phone | Calls on Other Devices | Allow Calls on Other Devices.

• If you make a video call that's not answered or declined, at the bottom of the screen, you can select one of these options: Call Back, Cancel or Leave a Message.

• To add other people to your FaceTime chat, you'll need macOS Mojave 10.14.3 or later. During a FaceTime call, tap the plus sign and enter the name or number of someone you want to add. Repeat the steps to add up to 32 people in total.

• With an upgrade to the new Mac OS Ventura, you can use Handoff to switch seamlessly midcall from one Apple device to another, like from your iPhone to your MacBook. And when you hand off a call, if you've got a connected Bluetooth headset (like AirPods), it will also transition to the new device simultaneously.

On Windows or Android

1. Open the FaceTime app on your Apple device and tap Create Link in the top left.

2. Tap Add Name, type a name for the chat, then tap OK. Select the recipient to receive the link or send it from Messages, Mail or any other supported app in the Share menu, like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.

The recipient will receive a web link for the FaceTime call along with the suggested text “Join my FaceTime.” You can change or add to this text, such as a date or brief personal message.

3. Recipients only need to click the link, which launches their default web browser to join the call. They can join you one-on-one or in a Group FaceTime call.

Remember, you can’t initiate a FaceTime call with a Windows or Android device, but stay tuned. New options are just around the corner, such as bringing FaceTime to Apple TV with upcoming updates to TVOS.

This is an update to a story originally published on April 23, 2019. It reflects upgraded technology and new offerings.