FaceTime User Guide
You can make a FaceTime call to one or more people who have a Mac, iOS device, or iPadOS device that meets these requirements. FaceTime calls use Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Can I install programs such as Skype on my Xtra-PC system? Yes, we designed Xtra-PC to allow users to easily add programs. How do I use a wireless mouse or keyboard with Xtra-PC? There are a number of wireless mice and keyboards that use a USB dongle or USB receiver that work well with Xtra-PC.
- For the best Mac client experiences and an always up-to-date infrastructure, we recommend all customers migrate to Office 365. Skype for Business Server 2015 customers should at a minimum download and install the Skype for Business Server 2015 Cumulative Update version 9319.272 or higher.
Open the Settings menu by clicking Skype Preferences on macOS or the gear icon on Windows. Click the Audio/Video tab on macOS or scroll down to Microphone on Windows.
Ask Siri. Say something like:
“FaceTime mom”
“FaceTime audio [phone number]”
Learn how to ask Siri.
You can also make a phone call to anyone right from your Mac, using the cellular connection of your nearby iPhone. See Make and receive phone calls in FaceTime.
Make a FaceTime call
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, sign in and make sure FaceTime is turned on.
In the field at the top of the FaceTime window, enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. You may need to press Return.
If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name. For information about adding contacts, see Add contacts while using FaceTime.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
To start the FaceTime call, click the Video button or the Audio button (or use the Touch Bar).
If you click the Audio button and you’re set up to make phone calls on your Mac, you can choose whether to make a FaceTime audio call or a phone call. When you’re in an audio call or a phone call, the camera is automatically off.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, mute or change the volume for the call, or add more people to a FaceTime call.
If you make a video call that’s declined or unanswered, you can click the Message button to send the person an iMessage (both of you must be signed in to iMessage).
Make a Group FaceTime call
You can call up to 32 people at the same time in a Group FaceTime call. (See Group FaceTime requirements.)
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, sign in and make sure FaceTime is turned on.
In the field at the top of the FaceTime window, enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. You may need to press Return.
If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name. For information about adding contacts, see Add contacts while using FaceTime.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
Repeat step 2 until all participants are listed.
To start the FaceTime call, click the Video button or the Audio button (or use the Touch Bar).
If you click the Audio button and you’re set up to make phone calls on your Mac, you can choose whether to make a FaceTime audio call or a phone call. When you’re on a FaceTime audio call or phone call, the camera is automatically off.
Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks or you click a tile, that tile moves to the front and becomes more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom of the screen. To find a participant you don’t see, scroll through the row.
Mac Skype For Business App
Tip: If you don’t want the tile of the person speaking to become larger, you can deselect the option in FaceTime preferences. Choose FaceTime > Preferences, click Settings, then deselect Speaking under Automatic Prominence.
To send an audible alert to a caller who hasn’t yet joined the call, click the Sidebar button , then click Ring.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, or mute or change the volume for the call.
Add more people to a FaceTime call
When you’re on a FaceTime call, you can add more people to the call (up to a maximum of 32 other people) even if you didn’t start the call. (See Group FaceTime requirements.)
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, make or participate in a FaceTime call or a Group FaceTime call.
Click the Sidebar button .
Click the Add Person button , then enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name.
Note: If you’re restricted to calls with only certain people, an hourglass icon appears next to those people you can’t call.
Click Add.
Each participant appears in a tile on the screen. When a participant speaks or you click a tile, that tile moves to the front and becomes more prominent. Tiles that can’t fit on the screen appear in a row at the bottom of the screen. To find a participant you don’t see, scroll through the row.
Tip: If you don’t want the tile of the person speaking to become larger, you can deselect the option in FaceTime preferences. Choose FaceTime > Preferences, click Settings, then deselect Speaking under Automatic Prominence.
To send an audible alert to a caller who hasn’t yet joined the call, click the Sidebar button , then click Ring.
Once you’re on a call, you can change your view of the call, pause it, or mute or change the volume for the call.
End a call
In the FaceTime app on your Mac, do one of the following to end a call:
End an audio call: Click the End button in the notification.
End a video call: Move the pointer over the call window, then click the End Call button (or use the Touch Bar).
After you end a Group FaceTime call, it remains active until all participants leave the call. To rejoin it, click the Join Video button .
Can You Skype On Mac