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.
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
Contents
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Setting Up FaceTime
- To start, on your iDevice go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle it on. For Macs, open the FaceTime app
- Log in with your Apple ID and password
- Enter an email. This is how others call you
- Your email ID is usually 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 can also receive calls on all your Mac computers signed in with the same Apple ID
- You can also receive calls on all your Mac computers signed in with the same Apple ID
Making Calls
Using FaceTime is simple. Contacts are called from inside the Contacts app or directly using the FaceTime app.
- Open FaceTime and search for the person you want to call by name, phone number, or email
- Click on their number or email
- One person can have multiple contact points
- Choose the camera for video & audio calls or the phone icon for audio-only calls
- Your call initiates and you see yourself in the camera window
- Once the other person accepts the call, their video appears
- Start your conversation
You can also start a FaceTime call from Messages
- You can start a FaceTime call directly with the people you iMessage with
- Open a text message thread and tap the profile pictures or names at the top of the message
- Tap the FaceTime icon to video call (or tap the phone icon to make an audio call)
Ending a FaceTime call
To end a FaceTime call, tap on the red X button (may also be a red phone icon for older iOS versions) within FaceTime. 
If you are on the call and see it on-screen, tap the screen once and then press the large red “x” button.
If you do not see the call on-screen, tap the green button or banner at the top of your screen to return to FaceTime and then tap once on the screen and choose the red x button to end the call.
FaceTime calling with AirPods?
You can answer or end calls with your AirPods too!
- AirPods Pro: Press the Force Sensor on either of your AirPods
- AirPods 2: Tap either of your AirPods
- AirPods 1: Double-tap either of your AirPods
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 fade 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.
If you receive a 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.
FaceTime supports calls up to 720X1280 pixels or 720P High-Definition Video. The onboard camera on Mac computers supports widescreen so many people can fit in the frame.
Group FaceTime calls
FaceTime also supports group calling with up to 32 total participants on a call, including you.
To make and receive FaceTime calls with multiple people, you and the people you’re calling must be using the macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update or later, iOS 12.1.4 or later, or iPadOS.
Learn more about Group FaceTime in these articles:
- How to Group FaceTime with more than one person on your Apple devices
- How to conference call using Group FaceTime on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Group FaceTime not working? Here are 8 ways to fix it today!
FaceTime for Apple Watch
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. 
Learn more about FaceTime and your Apple Watch in this article: How To Use FaceTime Audio Features on Apple Watch
Summing it up!
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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Hi,
My question is as follows:
I initiate the facetime call and everything works fine but I can’t seem to get out of facetime when the call is completed? Precisely what are the steps both parties must take take to totally terminate the facetime call? As you can see I am technically challenged. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
JOe
Hi Joesph,
If you are on the call and see it on-screen, tap the screen once and then press the large red “x” button.
If you do not see the call on-screen, tap the green button or banner at the top of your screen to return to FaceTime and then tap once on the screen and choose the red x button to end the call.
Thanks sir iam ISMAILCade iOS apple device user how can I setup my apple outlook for iOS online methods exchange or enable my iCloud Drive
Hi Ismail,
To set up an outlook account on your iOS device, go to the Settings app, choose Passwords & Accounts, then tap Add Account. From the list of options, select Outlook and then enter your credentials as requested on-screen.
Enabling iCloud Drive is easy! First, sign in with your Apple ID by going to Settings and then at the very top of the settings menu you should see your name–if you don’t sign in here with your Apple ID. Once you sign in with an Apple ID, tap your name as it appears in the top of the Settings App. Scroll down to iCloud, then toggle on all the apps, including iCloud Drive, that you want to sync with iCloud.
On an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you find your iCloud Drive files in the Files app.
Learn more about the Files app here: Everything in the new Files app for iPadOS
when on facetime and I get an incoming call does the other person ALWAYS see pause? or are there times where it doesnt pause?
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
I can’t add people to my facetime and it doesn’t work….
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