Video conferencing seemed to be finally finding its footing when the late Steve Jobs first announced FaceTime at the 2010 World Wide Developers Conference. More than two years later, the feature is in full swing, allowing Mac users to make video calls over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks on a variety of Apple devices. The feature didn’t revolutionize the way we carry out phone calls, but serves as a handy alternative to Skype or Facebook Chat. Plus, it’s simple to set up, easy to use, and does all the basics.
Check your system requirements & what you need
FaceTime comes with a few stipulations. First off, the app can only be run on the following devices:
- iPhone 4 or later.
- iPad 2 or later.
- Fourth-generation iPod touch or later
- Mac with Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later
Keep in mind FaceTime video calling availability depends on carrier policies and data charges may apply while using the app over your wireless network. You will also need the phone number or email address of the person you are trying to call in order to use FaceTime.
Open FaceTime
FaceTime is included with OS X Lion or later. Mac OS X v10.6 users can download FaceTime from the Mac App Store. There is no official FaceTime app for the iPhone as the Phone app has FaceTime functionality built in.
Activate FaceTime
iPhones automatically register your phone number for Facetime upon activation, but you will need to enable FaceTime while using the iPad, iPod touch or Mac desktop app. To begin, enter a valid Apple ID and password or select Create New Account and fill out the necessary fields (i.e. name, email, location, etc.).
Choose the phone number and email addresses you want associated with your FaceTime account. Apple will automatically verify your account information afterward. If you’re using an iPhone, make sure to toggle FaceTime on under the FaceTime options in your phone’s main settings.
Make a call
There are several ways to make a standard FaceTime call depending on which FaceTime-enabled Apple device you’re using. If you are using an iPad, iPod touch, or the the FaceTime app for Mac, you’ll need to add a person as a contact using the FaceTime or Contacts app before you can place a call with them.
iPhone:
- Using Contacts: Tap the FaceTime icon in the bottom-right corner while viewing a contact to place a FaceTime call
- Using Phone: Tap the FaceTime icon during a phone call to invite the other party to a FaceTime call
- Using Messages: Tap the FaceTime icon at the top while viewing messages to place a FaceTime call
- Using Contacts: Tap or click the FaceTime icon while viewing a contact or place a Facetime call
- Using FaceTime: Tap or click a contact from the Favorites, Recents, or Contacts list to place a FaceTime call
Give it a go
That’s basically all there is to it. FaceTime doesn’t tout any particularly grand features or tools — just basic video calling from one Apple user to another. Be sure to check out the Apple Support Center for more information.
Still perplexed about how get FaceTime up and running? Did our how-to guide help you out? Let us know in the comments below.
I had tried to set up Facetime when I first got my iPod Touch, but couldn’t get it to work. Somehow, I managed to accidentally hit “facetime” for one of my contacts, and it actually started to send. Only, I didn’t actually want to have a FT chat. I hit cancel, and it did before the other person answered, but since I haven’t used FT before, I wondered a couple things:
-If the person happened to see the request come in, what do they actually see as the request– is it a live pic from my camera, or just a name/e-mail/etc.?
-Will the person know I sent a FT request at a later time? This was done from my iPod to their e-mail address– If so, again, what does the cancelled request look like from their end?
Thanks…
When people make a call using Facetime, you will see their contact information in a similar fashion to a normal phone call (no live pic). You will also have options for accepting and rejecting Facetime call as usual.
Secondly, a canceled request or a miss request will show the contact information with Facetime icon on the right. Hope that helps!
Thanks Brandon… (Of all the times for FT to finally work… sigh.) I’m sure _if_ I ever actually successfully use FT with someone I actually intend to have a FT conversation with, that I’ll really like it… :-)
I love facetime
hi how do add
Hi,
how do I activate my phone number in Face Time on my iPhone 5? I have got my email addresses activated and it all works fine on my iPad, but the calls do not come to my phone! I can see my number listed, but not ticked.
Would be grateful for advice!
Kristiina
Hey Kristina,
Make sure that you have FaceTime turned on within your phone’s FaceTime settings (Settings > FaceTime). You will see a list below “You can be reached by FaceTime at,” make sure you are signed in with your Apple ID and your cell number is listed and checked.
Also, make sure you are have the latest version of iOS, the correct time zone and ensure that FaceTime has not been restricted for whatever reason (Settings > General > Restrictions > FaceTime).
If all else fails, I would recommend backing up your phone, resetting it and following the activation instructions again before restoring it. I hope that helps!
How do I get my cell number checked, that is exactly my problem? All other things are fine and done. Except for resetting, that is, but I guess I will have to do that then…
ok, problem solved accidentally; do not know what worked, but all is good now! Thank you!