Use FaceTime with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn how to use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your iOS devices.

Over Wi-Fi, you can use FaceTime on any of these devices:

• iPhone 4 or later • iPad 2 or later • iPad mini (all models) • iPod touch 4th generation or later (only iPod touch 5th generation supports FaceTime audio calling)

With a cellular data plan, you can also use FaceTime without Wi-Fi on any of these devices:

• iPhone 4s or later • iPad (3rd generation or later)

Turn on FaceTime

• Open your FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID (you can also do this from Settings > FaceTime). • If you're using an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number. To also register your email address on your iPhone, tap Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in. • If you're using an iPad or iPod touch, register your email address by tapping Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in.

Make a FaceTime call

To make a FaceTime call, you need the person's phone number or registered email address. There are a few ways to make a FaceTime call:

• In the FaceTime app, enter the person's phone number or email address then tap the FaceTime video or audio . • If you have the person's phone number or email address saved in your , you can enter their name, then tap the video or audio icon. • You can also begin a FaceTime video call from your iPhone during a call. Tap the FaceTime icon during the phone call to talk using FaceTime.

Use FaceTime Audio with Call Waiting

If you have iOS 8 or later, you can use Call Waiting during a FaceTime audio call. When another call comes in—either a phone call or another FaceTime audio call—you can either:

• End the current call and accept the incoming call. • Accept the incoming call and put the current call on hold. • Decline the incoming call.

If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime

To use iMessage or FaceTime, you need to activate them on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you see an error message during activation, follow these steps.

When activating iMessage or FaceTime, you might see one of these :

• Waiting for activation • Activation unsuccessful • An error occurred during activation • Could not sign in, please check your network connection Check your device settings

1. Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network. If you're using an iPhone, you'll need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS. 2. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that you've set up your time zone correctly.

Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime

1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage. 2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime. 3. Restart your device. 4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.

Still not activated after a day?

It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If you've waited more than 24 hours, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS. 2. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can receive SMS messages. 3. Contact Apple Support.

Get help if you can‘t make or receive FaceTime calls

You need a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to use FaceTime. Over Wi-Fi, FaceTime requires a broadband connection.

You might have issues using FaceTime for one of these reasons:

• FaceTime and FaceTime audio calling might not be available for all countries, regions, or carriers. • FaceTime isn't available or might not appear on devices purchased in , , and , including Dubai. • Call forwarding isn't available with FaceTime. • If you try to switch from a FaceTime call to a phone call or a FaceTime audio call.

If you can't make or receive FaceTime calls

If none of the above reasons apply to you, and you still can't make or receive FaceTime calls, follow these steps: 1. Make sure that your device has a Wi-Fi connection to the or a cellular-data connection. Learn more if you're using router, , or security that restricts Internet access. 2. If you're trying to use FaceTime over cellular, make sure that Use Cellular Data is on for FaceTime. Go to Settings > Cellular > Use Cellular Data For, and turn on FaceTime. 3. Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure FaceTime is turned on. o If you see "Waiting for Activation," turn FaceTime off and then on again. Learn what to do if you can't activate FaceTime. o If you don't see the FaceTime setting, make sure that Camera and FaceTime aren't off in Settings > General > Restrictions. o Make sure that you have the correct phone number or email address listed. 4. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. 5. Restart your device. 6. Update your device to the latest version of iOS.

If you have connection or sound quality issues with FaceTime

If you’re cellular connection or Wi-Fi network are running slow, or other users are streaming audio or video on the same Wi-Fi network, you might have these issues:

• Connection alerts or unable to connect • Choppy video calls • Black screen • Dropped calls

Make sure that both you and the person that you're calling are using a fast Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If you’re using Wi-Fi, FaceTime requires a broadband connection.

Find a missing FaceTime app

If you can’t find the FaceTime app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, these steps can help.

To find or restore a missing FaceTime app on your device, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your device supports FaceTime. FaceTime isn’t available or might not appear on devices purchased or used in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan. 2. Search for the FaceTime app in . 3. In Settings > General > Restrictions, make sure that FaceTime and Camera are on. If your Camera restriction is on, you won’t be able to use FaceTime. 4. Update your device to the latest version of iOS. Still can't find the FaceTime app?

If you still can’t find the FaceTime app, back up your device using iTunes or iCloud, then restore your device. After you restore the device, set it up by selecting your region and language. Then, restore the data using the iTunes or iCloud backup.

FaceTime for Mac: About HD video calling

FaceTime for Mac supports video calling in high definition (HD) with Macs that include a built-in FaceTime HD camera. In addition, many existing Macs can receive an HD video call while sending standard definition video.

Sending call video in HD

Macs with a built-in FaceTime HD camera are capable of sending call video in HD:

• iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) • iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) • MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

Sending HD video requires a minimum upload of 1 Mbps.

Receiving a HD video call

These Macs are capable of viewing an HD call with FaceTime for Mac and Mac OS X v10.6.6 and later:

• iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) • iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) • MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) • MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor • MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010), or newer, with a 2.53 GHz or better processor • iMac (20-inch and 24-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor • iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Late 2009), or newer, with a 3.06 GHz or better processor • (all models), with a compatible video camera • (Early 2009) or newer, with a 2.26 GHz or better processor and a compatible video camera Receiving HD video requires a minimum download bandwidth of 1 Mbps.

Example: You are using a MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) with FaceTime for Mac to call a friend who is using a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011). Your MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) will receive HD video from the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011), and your friend's MacBook Pro will receive standard definition video from your MacBook.

Receiving a standard definition video call

Macs with Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later that were produced before those referenced in the sections above can use FaceTime for Mac. Calls will be sent and received using standard (non- HD) video.

If either Mac on a call can only send and receive standard video, then both Macs will only send and receive standard video.

Now your smile goes even further.

FaceTime for Mac makes it possible to talk, smile, and laugh with anyone on an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac with a built-in FaceTime camera.* So you can catch up, hang out, joke around, and stay in touch with just a click. Sure, it’s great to hear a voice. But it’s even better to see the face that goes with it.

A phone call comes with a friendly face.

From the tiny camera on your Mac comes a huge video-calling experience. The window frame and controls fade away so you can enjoy your conversation without distractions. With picture- in-picture view, you can see how you look to the person you’re calling. And everyone can gather around the Mac screen and get in on the fun. When you call someone on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, you see everything on the other end without a hitch.* Whether they use the front or rear camera or rotate from portrait to landscape, FaceTime for Mac smoothly adjusts the view.

Video calling with one click.

FaceTime is easy to set up on your Mac. All you need is an Apple ID and an email address and you’re ready to roll. To start a video call with your best friend, just find her entry in the contacts list. FaceTime works perfectly with Contacts and Address Book so you don’t have to enter your contacts from scratch. Click her phone number if you want to call her iPhone. To call her iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, use her email address. An invitation pops up on her screen. When she accepts, the video call begins. And there you are, face to face. Mac to iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac.

Your Mac is ringing.

Whenever someone tries to reach you, the call rings through on every Mac you own even if FaceTime isn’t running. So you never have to worry about making yourself available. If you don’t want to receive calls, just turn FaceTime off in preferences.

FaceTime here, there, and everywhere.

With FaceTime, you can see what everyone’s up to no matter which device they’re using — iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac. All it takes is a tap, a smile, and a laugh.

Say “hi” in high definition.

Your FaceTime calls are getting the HD treatment. Now FaceTime for Mac supports video calls up to 720p. All you need is an iMac, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air with a built-in FaceTime HD camera, and your calls display with -best-thing-to-real-life clarity. The FaceTime HD camera also supports a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, so Mom, Dad, Grandma, your best friend, and even the dog can gather around for a video call.

Using for Facetime

Step 1 Launch Siri by holding down the home button of your iPhone for more than 2 seconds.

Step 2 If your friend or contact name is in your iPhone address book and you have label the detail as John for example, you can then Say “Facetime John”. Siri will then ask whether you want an audio or video Facetime call with John. If you want an audio connection, just say “Audio”.

Step 3 Once confirmed with Siri, just wait for the connection to happen.

Tips for Better FaceTime Calls

Since FaceTime is pretty easy to use, you’d think I wouldn’t have many tips to pass along, oh but I do!

1. Good light makes for better calls. The FaceTime camera (that’s what Apple calls the camera on the front of a device) has been getting better and better (especially in the iPhone 5, iPad mini, and iPad 4), but it still needs good light for things to look decent. And try not to have bright light behind you that will make it really hard for the camera to get the exposure right. 2. Quiet on the set. A noisy coffee shop, party, office, wherever isn’t a great place for a FaceTime call. Not only is it is a tad rude to do in public, it might be hard to hear or be heard. 3. Try EarPods. If you have a pair of the fancy schmancy EarPods (or just the regular ear buds) the combination of a mic closer to your mouth and sound straight to your ears will help. No, not great for all chats, but great for some. 4. Sit still darn it! Remember you’re sending audio and video wirelessly over the Internet. To make this happen FaceTime has to compress the . Audio compression is pretty easy, but video is a horse of a different . For video most apps try to save bandwidth by only sending the differences between frames. If you sit still, fewer differences between frames and better overall quality. If you move around a lot, more differences, more data to send, lower quality. Try it if you don’t believe me. FaceTime with someone and wave your arms and move a lot then have the other person do it. You’ll see right away how quickly the quality degrades. 5. Make a stand. No, really, make a stand…or use one for your device. It really helps with the top above if you can keep your device still too! The smart covers all do great as stands for FaceTime, for there are cases with kick stands, but I like this baby from Joby. It also works with for the iPad mini (as a little stand, not for tripod stuff)

Comparing Facetime to

Usability

If you are a heavy Skype user who comes from the desktop clients, then Skype for iOS might shock you a bit. The iOS version of Skype offers mainly a take-it-or-leave-it experience, which might feel a bit limiting especially for those used to the plethora of configuration options that the desktop counterparts of the app offer.

That said, Skype for iPhone and iOS devices does quite a good job limiting outgoing video in order to save bandwidth. Skype for iOS also allows you to make calls both through Wi-Fi and cellular, which is one of its biggest assets and something that FaceTime does not fully support yet.

If you thought that having few options in Skype was kind of a letdown, then the amount of options on FaceTime will downright depress you. In fact, about the only choice you have is deciding which phone number or email account you would like to assign to FaceTime calls.

Thankfully, when it comes to actually using FaceTime, this lack of settings and configuration options makes it a truly always-ready experience. There is no need for any buddy lists or friendship confirmation in order to make a video call. You just make a regular call and tap on the FaceTime option or just head to your regular and choose FaceTime from the additional options each contact. This is one of the positive effects of Apple’s vertical and somewhat closed integration of users’ devices and IDs. On the downside, FaceTime still doesn’t fully support calls over cellular, which is a huge downside, restricting iOS device owners to use it over Wi-Fi only.

Performance

When it comes to actually making video calls, Skype performed quite well, with video and audio quality ranging from acceptable when video chatting with someone on another iOS device to excellent when doing so with someone on their desktop or . Overall, the video calling experience through Skype for iOS is very good with one exception: At times the audio started to lag and to lose sync with the video signal, especially when calling over cellular. It is not a deal barker but definitely affects the whole experience somewhat negatively. On top of that, for some reason 9 out of 10 Skype video calls that I placed stopped abruptly after 2 minutes. This seems to be a bug with Skype, since it also happened when I placed video calls via Skye from my Mac.

When video calling, FaceTime performed admirably, with both video and audio quality being quite better that Skype even over the same Wi-Fi signal. Video quality while chatting with a Mac user was also better than when between iOS devices, although I believe this has to do more with camera quality than with FaceTime itself. Overall, FaceTime definitely performs smoother than Skype, with video calls being slightly more fluid and audio and video being always in sync.

Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, there is no contest between FaceTime and Skype. If you want to use FaceTime, you have to be an Apple device owner, since Apple’s own video calling app is only available on iOS devices and on Macs running Lion or Mountain Lion (it runs on OS X 10.6.6 as well, but you need to buy it first).

On the other hand, Skype is available in just about every platform imaginable, ranging from iOS devices to Android and Windows phones and of course, on all major desktop operating systems, including Mac, Windows and .

Which One to Choose?

Despite both being very capable video calling apps and each having its own pros and cons, recommending one over the other is fairly easy, and it will depend entirely on your needs.

If you place video calls mostly with other iOS device or Mac owners and you are always connected to Wi-Fi, then FaceTime definitely provides the better experience despite its limitations. If you call friends with devices other than Apple’s, like to call on the go and away from Wi-Fi or are already a Skype user, then Skype will have you covered.