How to conference call using Group FaceTime on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

FaceTime makes it easier than ever to have chats with your co-workers, friends, and family that aren’t around the corner anymore or you can’t make it to the office. When used, these calls are high-quality and are made over the internet so they are as stable as your internet connection.

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There have been a few updates over the last couple of years, to help bolster the capabilities of FaceTime. This includes making is possible to use FaceTime as a substitute for something like Skype for conference calls.

You can make FaceTime conference calls to one or more people (up to 32 other people) who use a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the FaceTime app. FaceTime calls can use WiFi or cellular data for its internet connection.

How to conference call using Group FaceTime

As long as everyone needed on the conference call uses iOS 12.1.4 and above or macOS Mojave or above (requires macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update,) you and your callers can get together in a Group FaceTime call. And you aren’t limited to just making voice calls. Apple makes it possible for you to also make group video FaceTime calls.

Unfortunately, all participants must use an Apple device–FaceTime is not supported on Android or Windows devices.

How to conference call using FaceTime on the iPhone and iPad

Starting a FaceTime conference call on the iPhone and iPad is exactly the same. The steps are pretty simple and straightforward, and here’s how to conference call using FaceTime on the iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Press the “+” button in the top right-hand corner
3. Enter the contact name, number, or iCloud email address
4. Tap “Video” to start the call (or for audio-only calls, press Audio)

Start a Group FaceTime conference call from Messages

In addition to using the FaceTime app, you can also start a Group FaceTime conference call through the Messages app, if you already have a group message chat started!

1. Open Messages app
2. Tap your group conversation
3. Tap the profile icons at the top of the group message thread
4. Choose FaceTime from the row of options that appears beneath the profile icon
5. Messages auto launches FaceTime and calls each participant and lets you know it is waiting on a response from each participant

Once accepted, each conference participant appears in a tile on your screen. When a participant starts to speaks, their tile gets bigger and moves to the foreground. Any tiles that can’t fit on your screen display in a row at the bottom of your screen.

If you don’t see a participant, scan through the row of additional conference call participants.

What happens if the video FaceTime call has already started, but you forgot someone?

Here’s how to add a person to the Group FaceTime call from your iPhone or iPad.

Any participant can add another person at any time during a Group FaceTime call.

1. During a FaceTime call, tap the screen to open the controls, swipe up from the top of the control
2. Scroll to the bottom until you see Add Person
3. Tap Add Person to FaceTime
4. Type the name, Apple ID, or phone number of the person(s) you want to add in the entry field at the top
5. Tap Add Person to FaceTime

Once the contact has accepted the call on their end, they will immediately be added. Then, you can proceed and get everything taken care of while having face-to-face conversations.

How to conference call using Group FaceTime on the Mac

Admittedly, the development of FaceTime for the Mac has been behind that of the iPhone and iPad. However, as new software versions have been released, Apple has added many overdue features. Here’s how to conference call using FaceTime on the Mac.

1. Open the FaceTime app on your Mac
2. Enter the name, phone number, or email address of who you want to add to the call
3. Continue adding contacts until the group has been added
4. Click the Video button at the bottom of the app

Say you started the conference call with FaceTime, but you need to add in someone after the fact.

Here’s how to add a person to the call from your Mac

1. After the call has been started, tap the Show Sidebar button in the bottom left-hand corner
2. Click on Add Person
3. Enter the contact information of the person you wish to add
4. Tap the Add button

Apple has really made it easy for iOS and macOS users to FaceTime, and now you can have conference calls. Gone are the days of needing to download frustrating third-party applications that never work quite right.

How many people can group FaceTime at once?

Group FaceTime supports up to 32 total participants on a single FaceTime call. These calls can be either audio or video conference calls.

Tips for using FaceTime Video Calls

Group FaceTime offers the same neat effects, options, and stickers as any one-on-one FaceTime call. So you can liven up a dull meeting or provide some much-needed fun to your conference call experience!

FaceTime’s on-screen menu buttons explained

• Flip – Switches the camera to the rear camera. Tap it again to switch back to the selfie camera.
• Mute – Lets you mute yourself if someone is talking or if you end up needing to sneeze. Or maybe when your dog starts barking at the mailman.
• Effects – Allows you to add different filters and camera effects to your video.
• Camera – Allows you to turn off the camera completely, while staying in the call. Tap this button again to turn the camera back on.

Those are some of the more basic features that you have access too while in FaceTime calls. You can add either Animoji or Memoji as a replacement for your face in the call. Plus, you can change the filters, add text, shapes, or emoji to the playback.

Conclusion

Despite its ups and downs, iOS has continued to evolve and flourish over the last few years. When you look at something as simple as FaceTime, it’s pretty amazing what you are capable of doing from any of your Apple devices.

If you have issues on how to conference call using FaceTime, sound off in the comments below. And if there are some tips to make these interactions easier and seamless, let us know and we’ll add them to the list!

Andrew Myrick

Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.

He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.