How to Use FaceTime on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

  • Make and answer calls using FaceTime on your Mac.
  • Create, join, and manage Group Facetime calls.

Before We Begin:

  • Have your Mac ready and connected to the internet.
iOS and macOS devices showing facetime


2. Enable Facetime

To Enable FaceTime on your device:

  1. Tap Settings.
iOS Settings icon.
  1. Tap FaceTime.
iOS Settings menu with Facetime highlighted.
  1. Toggle Facetime on.
iOS Facetime settings highlighting the on off toggle switch.
  1. If you're using an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number.
  2. If you're using an iPad or iPod touch, or you wish to register your email address on your iPhone, go to Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID for FaceTime, and sign in with your Apple ID.
iOS Facetime settings highlighting the use your apple ID for Facetime option.

3. Make a Call Using FaceTime

There are multiple ways to make a call using Facetime. To successfully place a FaceTime call, you will need the the telephone number or Apple ID email address of the party you wish to reach.

To place a FaceTime call from the app:

  1. Open the Facetime App.
Facetime icon
  1. With the FaceTime app, you can place a call with both audio & video, or audio only. Select this using the Video and Audio buttons at the top of the app.
iOS Facetime app highlighting video and audio buttons.
  1. To place a call with the FaceTime app, you can either type in the telephone number or Apple ID of the person you want to Facetime with, or select an available contact from the list below.
iOS Facetime app highlighting the number entry field and recent contacts.

To start FaceTime during a call:

  1. Tap the Facetime button while on a call with someone.
iOS Call screen highlighting the Facetime button.

Use FaceTime Audio with Call Waiting:

If your device uses iOS 8 or later, you will have access to Call Waiting during a FaceTime call. When another call comes in—whether it be a normal phone call or another FaceTime call—you will have options to:

  • End the current call and accept the incoming call (1).
  • Decline the incoming call by tapping Send to Voicemail (2).
  • Accept the incoming call and put the current call on hold (3).
iOS Facetime call waiting screen.