How To Make A FaceTime Video Call – On iPhone, iPad & Mac (2023 Guide)


How To Make A FaceTime Video Call – On iPhone, iPad & Mac (2023 Guide)Pin

As the name suggests, FaceTime allows you to make video calls. Here’s how to do that on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


It used to be video calling services were a nice feature for calling a loved one who is far away or catching up with a relative you only see once in a blue moon. But then came Covid-19–and with it, mandatory lockdowns.

During the pandemic, people got used to video calling on a regular basis. And to this day video calling is much more common than it was pre-pandemic.

If you’re a Mac, iPad or iPhone user, you don’t even need to download an extra app to video conference. You’ve got one built right in called FaceTime. But using it works a little differently depending on if you’re calling from a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Here’s how to make a FaceTime video call on all three.

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call – On iPhone, iPad & Mac (2023 Guide)Pin

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call On An iPhone

It goes without saying that in order to make a FaceTime video call the person you are calling must have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If they do, they’ll be able to easily answer your FaceTime video call on any of those devices.

Android and Windows users can also join a FaceTime call with a special link, but they cannot initiate FaceTime calls. So for this guide, we’ll just focus on FaceTime video calling on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

As we mentioned, initiating a FaceTime video call is a bit different depending on which Apple device you have. Here’s how to do it on an iPhone:

NOTE: First make sure you have FaceTime enabled by going to Settings > FaceTime and toggling the FaceTime switch to ON (green). Now…

  1. Open the FaceTime app.
  2. Tap the “New FaceTime” button.
  3. Enter the name or the number of the person you want to FaceTime.
  4. Tap their number or address from the dropdown menu that appears.
  5. Tap the FaceTime video icon button.

That’s it! Your FaceTime call will now be initiated.

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call On An iPad

Thankfully, if you know how to make a FaceTime call on an iPhone you pretty much know how to do it on an iPad. The difference on the iPad is the app is just much more spacious, so you might have to look around the bigger screen for a few seconds to find the right buttons you’re looking for.

Again, be sure you have FaceTime enabled by going to Settings > FaceTime and toggling the FaceTime switch to ON (green) before you try making your first FaceTime video call. Now…

  1. Open the FaceTime app.
  2. Tap the “New FaceTime” button.
  3. Enter the name or the number of the person you want to FaceTime.
  4. Tap their number or address from the dropdown menu that appears.
  5. Tap the FaceTime video icon button.

That’s it! Your FaceTime video call will now be initiated.

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call On A Mac

A great thing about MacBooks is that they share many of the same apps and technologies that the iPhone is capable of. And FaceTime video calls are no different.

  1. Open the FaceTime app on your Mac. You can find this in your Applications folder or in LaounchPad.
  2. Click the “New FaceTime” button.
  3. In the To field in the app, enter the name or the number of the person you want to FaceTime.
  4. Click their number or address from the dropdown menu that appears.
  5. Click the FaceTime button.

Your FaceTime call will initiate and the video call will start when your recipient answers.

It’s also important to note that FaceTime is device agnostic, so if you’re using FaceTime on your Mac, the person you are calling doesn’t have to answer it on a Mac. They can answer your FaceTime call on their iPhone or iPad as well. And again, you can also now send FaceTime links to people on Android and Windows so they can join a FaceTime call.

And if you don’t want to let someone Facetime you, it’s important to know that you can block anyone from sending you FaceTime calls. Also, be sure to try this if your iPhone microphone is not working. And be sure to check out how to set up voicemail on an iPhone.

And, be sure to check out how to blur the background on a FaceTime video call! And check out What Is Center Stage?

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • Mint Mobile 15GB Plan

    If you don't use a lot of data, this plan is a great option. You'll get 15GB of data per month and 5GB hotspot data allowance. It's not a lot but for light users, it is likely more than you'll ever need

    +

    Data: 15GB

  • Visible+ Pro Plan

    Visible+ Pro is built for heavy users who want it all: 4K streaming, ultra-fast hotspot speeds, and premium 5G access on Verizon’s best network. No throttling. No compromises. Just pure, high-performance mobile.

    +

    Data: Unlimited

  • Visible+ Plan

    If you’re tired of overpaying for unlimited data, Visible is one of the best alternatives out there—especially right now. For a limited time, you can get Visible’s unlimited plan for just $20/month, and that price is locked in for an entire year when you use code SAVE5 at checkout.

    +

    Data: Unlimited