How To Make A FaceTime Video Call – On iPhone, iPad & 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 the coronavirus–and with it, mandatory lockdowns.

Many governments around the world are either imposing restrictions on visiting relatives and friends or at the very least advising against it. It’s no surprise then, that video calling apps have surged in popularity in recent weeks.

And 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 do it on all three.

MORE: How To Make Group FaceTime Calls (Everything You Need To Know)

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call On An iPhone

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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.

But 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 doing to Settings > FaceTime and toggle the FaceTime switch to ON (green). Now…

1. Open the FaceTime app.
2. Tap the + 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 video icon button.

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

MORE: How To Disable FaceTime On iPhone, iPad, And Mac

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 doing to Settings > FaceTime and toggle the FaceTime switch to ON (green) before you try making your first FaceTime video call. Now…

1. Open the FaceTime app.
2. Tap the + 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 video icon button.

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

How To Make A FaceTime Video Call On A Mac

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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. You can find this in your Applications folder or in LaounchPad.
2. In the search field in the app enter the name or the number of the person you want to FaceTime.
3. Tap their number or address from the dropdown menu that appears.
4. Tap the video icon button.

Your FaceTime call will initiate and when it starts the app’s screen will think down your image into a little square and the image of the person you are calling will take center stage in the app.

It’s also important to note than 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 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 outhow to blur the background on a FaceTime video call! And check out What Is Center Stage?

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Michael Grothaus

Apple expert and novelist, Michael Grothaus has been covering tech on KnowYourMobile for the best part of 10 years. Prior to this, he worked at Apple. And before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones was voted as one of the best novels about Hollywood by Entertainment Weekly. Michael is also a writer at other publications including VICE and Fast Company.

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