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Using Facetime: How easy it is!

Using Facetime: How easy it is!

By 4 comments Last updated August 1, 2017

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If you have an iPhone, you probably use FaceTime. For those new to the game, FaceTime is Apple’s video call service (like skype) that works between Apple devices only. You can use it on Mac computers as well as your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It’s a terrific service showing high definition video and is very easy to use.

Using Facetime: How easy it is!

To get started, you’ll need an Apple ID to set up FaceTime. This app is standard on all iDevices and Macs but just in case you don’t have it, download it from the app store. The Apple ground rules are: you need OS X 10.7 and above and camera, either one in on your iDevice or Mac or a third party webcam.

So without further ado, here’s how we FaceTime

Setting Up FaceTime

  • To start, log in with your Apple ID and password
  • Enter an email. This is how others call you
    • Your email ID doesn’t have to be the same as your Apple ID
    • For iPhones, it’s usually your phone number
  • To avoid the hassle of different ids on different Apple devices, use the same ID for FaceTime on all your devices
    • You will receive calls on all your Mac computers
  • To change the email address simply by log out and choose another email address through Settings

    Using Facetime: How easy it is!
    source: apple

 

Making Calls

Using FaceTime is simple. Contacts are called from inside the Contacts app or directly using the FaceTime app.

  1. Open FaceTime and search for the person you want to call
  2. Click on their number or email
    1. One person can have multiple contact points
    2. Choose the camera or the phone icon
  3. Your call initiates and you see yourself in the camera window
  4. Once the other person accepts the call, their video appears
  5. Start your conversationUsing Facetime: How easy it is!

Why FaceTime is the best

FaceTime is a lot of fun! On iMacs and Macs, the big screen displays an amazing quality picture and gives a face to your conversations. Once your conversation starts, the window frames fades away so that you have no distractions during your call. You see what you look like during the call with a small picture inside your friend’s picture.

Using Facetime: How easy it is!

 

If you receive call and are not on FaceTime, a message appears letting you know a call is incoming. Once you set-up your account, you will never miss a call again as long as you are near one of your devices and it is on. If you decide to stop getting calls, simply turn it off in preferences.

Using Facetime: How easy it is!
source: apple

FaceTime supports calls up to 720X1280 pixels or 720P High-Definition Video. The onboard camera on Mac computers supports wide screen so many people can fit in the frame.

For those with Apple Watches, watchOS  allows Apple Watch users to make FaceTime audio calls from their wrists.  The Apple Watch must connect to the same Apple ID used on the iOS companion iPhone to have access to the FaceTime calling service.

watchOS 2 is that it allows Apple Watch users to initiate FaceTime audio calls from their wrists. In the previous version the wrist-worn device owners where only able to dial regular cellular phone calls, via the signal borrowed from the paired iPhone. However, now the Watch is connected to the same Apple ID used on the iOS companion and has access to the FaceTime calling service.
source: apple

With FaceTime, you call with just one click! It’s that easy. Whether they have a Mac, iPhone, iPod, or iPad, calling is simple. If all parties use Apple devices, using FaceTime has great advantages over skype or similar video call apps. Apple’s FaceTime is so much more beautiful and elegant so opt for it whenever you can!

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  1. Courtney Smith says

    when on facetime and I get an incoming call does the other person ALWAYS see pause? or are there times where it doesnt pause?

    Reply

    • Elizabeth Jones says

      Hi Courtney,

      On an iPhone, if you or the other person is already on an FT call, then your call pauses and you see the options to End & Accept, Hold & Accept, or Decline.

      If this pausing behavior happens when you are not on other calls try swiping up the home gesture bar or double-tapping your home button to get the app switcher and then tap on the face time app. Or go to your home screen and tap on the green on-call icon at the top of your screen.

      On Macs, you can pause a FaceTime video call. Pausing only temporarily stop transmitting video but NOT audio unless you mute the call.

        To pause a video call on a Mac in FaceTime, click the yellow minimize button at the top of the FaceTime window.

        If you’re in full-screen, you must first minimize the screen.

        For Group FaceTime calls, the minimize button only minimizes the screen; it does not pause the call.

        To resume a paused video call, just click the FaceTime icon in your Mac’s Dock

      If you’re finding that your Mac is constantly pausing calls, uncheck the setting for FaceTime App > Video (FT menu option) > Always on Top–make sure this is NOT checked. Then close FT, reopen and try FT again.

      Hope this helps,

      Liz

      Reply

    • Elizabeth Jones says

      Hi Connie,

      You can only add folks who have Apple products (iPhones, iPads, Macs, iPods) and who also enabled FaceTime on their devices.

      Try finding someone who you know uses an Apple product and who also uses FaceTime. Ask them for their contact information, if you don’t have it in your Contacts App, and then try to FaceTime with them.

      Or ask them to call you with your contact info.

      Hope it works.

      If not, let us know

      Liz

      Reply