What is FaceTime?
FaceTime is a video and audio chat product developed by Apple Inc. that allows users to communicate with one another through video or audio calls. It is available for supported iOS mobile devices running iOS 4 and later and Mac computers running Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later. The mobile device used must have a forward-facing camera, and the Mac computer used must have a FaceTime camera.
FaceTime Audio is available for any mobile device supporting iOS 7 and later and any Mac computer running Mac OS X 10.9.2 and later. It is similar to a typical voice-based phone call but offers better call quality because it’s a VoIP service similar to Skype.
FaceTime is free to use but requires an Apple ID and Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
How to set up FaceTime
If FaceTime is being used on an iPhone, it is already activated using the phone number of the iPhone. If a user doesn’t have an iPhone, FaceTime calls can still be made to other FaceTime users using the email associated with the Apple ID. If the FaceTime feature has been deactivated or turned off, follow these steps to reactivate it:
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Go to Settings
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Scroll down and select FaceTime
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Swipe the switch next to FaceTime so it turns green. This indicates the feature is activated.
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Tap Use your Apple ID for FaceTime and enter in your credentials.
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Select the email address and phone number you want used for incoming and outgoing FaceTime calls.
On the same screen within settings, users have the ability to block contacts. This means incoming calls from specified contacts will not be received.
FaceTime on Android
FaceTime is incompatible with non-Apple devices, as it is a proprietary app and service. Placing a FaceTime call requires both users to have iOS devices, meaning an iPhone user cannot FaceTime with an Android user. Android and other non-Apple users can use other video services such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
