Guides 12
How to Use FaceTime on Your Cell Phone: A Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
- Introduction to FaceTime
- FaceTime Requirements
- Setting Up FaceTime
- Making Calls with FaceTime
- Receiving Calls on FaceTime
- FaceTime Group Calls
- Troubleshooting FaceTime Issues
- FaceTime Alternatives
- Conclusion
Introduction to FaceTime
With the increasing digitalization of the world, video calling has become a popular means for people to stay in touch with their friends, family, and business associates. FaceTime is one of the most convenient and user-friendly video calling apps available on Apple devices. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about using FaceTime on your cell phone, from setting it up to making and receiving calls.
FaceTime Requirements
Before you start using FaceTime on your cell phone, you need to ensure that your device meets the requirements for this app. Here are the essentials:
- An iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- An Apple ID
- A stable Wi-Fi or cellular data connection
- A front-facing camera
Setting Up FaceTime
If you meet the requirements, follow these steps to set up FaceTime on your cell phone:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on FaceTime.
- Turn on the FaceTime toggle switch at the top of the screen.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password. If you’re not logged in, tap Use your Apple ID for FaceTime.
- Wait for the activation to complete, which may take a few moments.
- Check the You can be reached by FaceTime at section, and ensure that your phone number and/or email address are correctly entered.
With these steps completed, you’re ready to use FaceTime on your Apple device.
Making Calls with FaceTime
Making a FaceTime call is simple and straightforward. Follow these steps to make your first call:
- Open the FaceTime app on your device.
- In the search bar at the top, type the name, phone number, or email address of the person you want to call. Make sure they’re in your contacts list and have an Apple device.
- The contact’s information will appear below the search bar. Tap the video icon to start a video call, or the phone icon for an audio call.
- Wait for the call to connect and the recipient to answer.
Receiving Calls on FaceTime
As long as your device is connected to the internet, you’ll be able to receive FaceTime calls from others. When someone calls you on FaceTime, you’ll receive a notification, similar to a regular phone call. To answer the call, simply swipe the green Answer button or tap on the notification.
Adjusting Call Settings
During a FaceTime call, you can access additional features by tapping on the screen. These options include:
- Mute: Silence your audio during the call.
- Speaker: Switch between your device’s speaker or your earpiece for audio output.
- Camera: Switch between your device’s front and rear cameras.
- Effects: Add filters, stickers or annotations to the video during the call.
To end a FaceTime call, tap on the red End button.
FaceTime Group Calls
FaceTime also allows you to have group calls with up to 32 participants. To start a group call, follow these steps:
- Open the FaceTime app on your device.
- Tap on the + button in the top-right corner.
- Add the participants by typing their names, phone numbers or email addresses in the search bar, tapping on their contact information as it appears.
- Once all the participants are added, tap the video icon to start a group video call, or the phone icon for an audio call.
Troubleshooting FaceTime Issues
If you experience any issues when using FaceTime, such as calls not connecting or poor video quality, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection for stability.
- Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS.
- Restart your device.
- Sign out of and back into FaceTime in the Settings app.
FaceTime Alternatives
If you’re looking for other video calling options, there are several alternatives to FaceTime, including:
- Skype: A popular video calling platform available on multiple devices.
- WhatsApp: A messaging app with built-in video call capabilities.
- Zoom: A tool for large-scale video conferences that can be used for personal calls as well.
- Google Duo: Google’s video calling app that works on both Android and Apple devices.
Conclusion
FaceTime provides a seamless and user-friendly way for Apple users to stay connected through video and audio calls. By following this comprehensive guide, you’re now ready to make the most of this communication tool, whether it’s for personal or professional use. Don’t forget to explore the different features available, and happy calling!
Make a FaceTime Video or Audio Call
One of the top questions people have about FaceTime is how to place a call, either with the original video call option or with the newer, high-quality-audio option. Straight from Apple, here’s how to make a video or audio call:
How do I make a FaceTime video call?
You can make a FaceTime video call in multiple ways from your iOS device.
- Phone: While on a phone call, you can tap the FaceTime icon to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.
- FaceTime: Place a FaceTime video call using your contacts list by tapping the video icon.
- Contacts: Tap the FaceTime video icon to place a FaceTime video call to the contact you are viewing.
How do I make a FaceTime audio call?
You can make a FaceTime audio call in multiple ways from your iOS device.
- FaceTime: Place a FaceTime audio call using your contacts list by tapping the phone icon.
- Contacts: Tap the FaceTime phone icon to place a FaceTime audio call to the contact you are viewing.
It’s a simple as that. Hope this is helpful!
How to Facetime: A Visual Guide
With all the people who are constantly picking up new iPads, iPhones & Macs, I thought it might be helpful to post a visual guide for how to make a Facetime video call from one Apple device to another. I’ve tried to make this guide both simple but just thorough enough. Hit the jump to read the text version.
Use the Secondary iPhone Microphone for Facetime
GREAT tip from Tidbits that points out something I (and I bet many of us) didn’t know:
Facetime uses the microphone at the top of the iPhone that is normally dedicated to noise-cancellation.
You probably know that there’s a speaker and a microphone at the bottom of the iPhone used for most calls, but when you put the iPhone into speakerphone or Facetime mode, the device uses its proximity sensor to tell you’re not holding the phone next to your face and it switches which microphone it uses to avoid feedback.
Genius!
If you’re getting a new iPad, consider a warranty
As a little public service announcement, I wanted to point out that you can get a warranty for your new iPad 3 for cheaper than Applecare. Squaretrade is currently offering warranties for as low as $59.
Applecare has been $79 (slightly less at Amazon) BUT Apple has just raised renamed it Applecare + for iPads and raised the price to $99. My advice–pick up a copy of Applecare from a retailer while you still can before the stock runs out. Apple will honor the extended warranty and you’ll get a good deal while supplies last.
Facetime security issue from lock screen
Looks like someone has figured out a way to place Facetime calls, even on a “securely” locked iPhone. If you’re the paranoid type, you’ll want to check this out:
http://peekay.org/2012/02/05/more-fun-with-locked-iphone-4/.
Facetime Isn’t Showing Up
After upgrading my iPhone 4 to iOS5, people who were previously able to Facetime with me weren’t able contact me any longer. The calls just failed.
Turns out there was a change on my side of things that I wasn’t aware of. If people can’t reach you on Facetime, make sure that Facetime is turned on in your Settings on your iPhone/iPod/iPad.
Go to Settings > Facetime and check to make sure that you have the Facetime setting set to ON if you’re having a similar problem. Hopefully this will help someone else out!
Whatever happened to Facetime Test Calls?
In June of 2010 when Apple released Facetime on the world, they also unveiled a free service where you could call 1-888-FACETIME and get an Apple employee to pick up your Facetime call request. The number still works to call, but there’s no more video option. Kind of disappointing. I wonder if Apple or anyone else could set up an automated video response? When exactly did this service end?
Facetime as a Home Security Camera
If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and typing two lines of code on your Mac, Rob “the Corndog” Johnson has a great tip on how to set up Facetime on your home computer to auto-accept incoming Facetime requests from specified phone numbers or accounts:
1.) Open up the Terminal.app located in your /Applications/Utilities folder
2.) Type in the following to allow a specified caller for auto accept incoming calls:
phone number example:
defaults write com.apple.FaceTime AutoAcceptInvitesFrom -array-add +15205551212
AppleID (email) example:
defaults write com.apple.FaceTime AutoAcceptInvitesFrom -array-add stevejobs@apple.com
Simple enough, right? Enjoy remote surveillance of your house, check in to see how your dog and cat get along when you’re gone, or make sure the babysitter isn’t making out with her boyfriend while you’re on your dinner date.
Facetime Over 3G
Yes, there is a workaround. A loophole, if you will. It involves tethering your iPhone to any mobile hotspot (which is in turn connected to a 3G cell network). From the guy who put it together:
Pretty cool, eh? It’s not quite perfect since it requires a hotspot, but if you have one, you can Facetime from anywhere a 3G network is available.