To have a FaceTime call with one other person, you need a Mac with OS X Lion 10.7 or later, a broadband Internet connection, and a built-in or connected microphone or camera. Or use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
To call a group of people, follow the steps in Use Group FaceTime on Mac.
Start a FaceTime call
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, find the FaceTime icon and click the toggle switch to grey. If it’s already grey, then FaceTime is inactive and you don’t need to worry. On your Mac, open the FaceTime app, click ‘FaceTime’ in the menu bar and choose the option to turn it off. This will make it much easier for you to connect using Facetime in the future. Another way of adding people on Facetime is by asking the contact person’s Apple ID. The Apple ID is in email format and you can have it manually entered into your address book. So, there you have it – Five simple steps how you can add people on FaceTime. Turn on FaceTime. Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID. You can also do this.
The person you're calling doesn't need to have the FaceTime app open, but to receive the call on their Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, they do need to be signed in to FaceTime on that device. You can then call them using any phone number or email address they set up for FaceTime.
Start a call from the FaceTime app
Open the FaceTime app and enter the email address or phone number of the person that you want to call. If the person is in your Contacts app, you can enter just their name. Then click the Audio button or Video button to call.
You can also just ask Siri to ”FaceTime John” or ”FaceTime audio Lisa,” for example.
Start a call from the messages app
Start a text conversation in the Messages app, or select a conversation that's already underway.
Click Details in the upper-right corner.
Click the video button or audio button to open the FaceTime app and start the call.
Answer a FaceTime call
From the notification that appears on your Mac, click Accept to answer the call in the FaceTime app.
If you click the arrow next to Accept, you can choose to accept as an audio call instead of video call. If you click the arrow next to Decline, you can choose to send a message to the caller or set a reminder to call back later.
How To Pin Facetime On Mac Computer
You can also use the Touch Bar to accept or decline a FaceTime call.
Add another person to a FaceTime call
Anyone on the call can add more people to the call, creating a Group FaceTime call.
While the call is underway, click the sidebar button to show the sidebar.
Click the add button .
Enter the person's name, email address, or phone number, then click Add.
Click the Ring button next to the person's name to invite them to join the call.
Lean more about how to use Group FaceTime.
Use the onscreen controls
During a call, move your pointer over the FaceTime window to show these controls.
Mute Video Turn the video from your camera off or on.
Mac pc keyboard function keys. Full Screen Switch to or from a full-screen FaceTime window.
Camera Shutter Take a Live Photo of the other person.
Learn more
How To Pin Facetime On Mac
To stop receiving FaceTime calls on Mac, open FaceTime, then choose FaceTime > Turn FaceTime Off.
Learn how to delete your call history in FaceTime.
Learn what to do if FaceTime isn't working, your built-in camera isn't working, or you can't sign in to FaceTime.
FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.
FaceTime User Guide
When a FaceTime video call is in progress, you can change how the call is shown, move the picture-in-picture window, and more.
Note: Group FaceTime is available on a Mac, iOS device, or iPadOS device that meets these requirements.
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, do any of the following during a video call:
Keep the video call window on top of your other apps: Choose Video > Always on Top. The call window floats on top of the other app windows, so it’s always visible, no matter which app you’re using.
View a video call in full screen: Click the green button in the top-left corner of the FaceTime window, or click the Toggle Full Screen button .
View a video call in a split screen: Press and hold the green button in the top-left corner of the FaceTime window, then choose Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. See Use apps in Split View on Mac.
Return to the standard window size (from full or split screen): Click the Toggle Full Screen button , or press Control-Command-F. See Use apps in Split View on Mac.
Temporarily hide the video call window: Click the yellow minimize button at the top of the FaceTime window. (If you’re in full-screen view, first return to the standard window size.) The audio portion of the call continues while the window is minimized. To see the video again, click the FaceTime icon in the Dock.
Move the picture-in-picture window: Drag any of the small windows to any area of the larger window.
During a group call, window sizes automatically change depending on who is speaking. To prevent the tile of the person speaking from becoming larger, deselect the option in FaceTime preferences—choose FaceTime > Preferences, click Settings, then deselect Speaking under Automatic Prominence.
Capture a moment from the call: See Take a Live Photo.
Add more people to the call: See Add more people to a FaceTime call.
Change to an audio call: Click the Mute Video button . To turn the camera back on, click the button again.
View the call on your iPad: See Use your iPad as a second display for your Mac. Epic store mac.
Note: In one-on-one calls you can also change the orientation—just move the pointer over the picture-in-picture window, then click , or rotate two fingers on your trackpad. The orientation changes for the other person, too.
See alsoUse trackpad and mouse gestures on MacMute or change the volume for FaceTime calls on MacMake calls in FaceTime on MacWhat is Screen Time on Mac?