iOS: Using FaceTime

Summary

Learn how to use FaceTime.

Products Affected

Mac OS X 10.6.6, OS X Lion, OS X Mountain Lion, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (4th generation), iPad 2, iPad mini, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation)

With FaceTime, you can participate in video calls with other FaceTime users over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection*. Learn more about how you can get in touch with other FaceTime users.

Which Apple products support FaceTime?

To use FaceTime, you need one of the following Apple products:

  • iPhone 4 or later
  • iPad 2 or later
  • iPad mini
  • iPod touch (4th generation) or later
  • Mac with Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later

FaceTime is included with OS X Lion or later. Mac OS X v10.6 users can download FaceTime from the Mac App Store.

What information do I need to call someone using FaceTime?

To call someone using FaceTime, you need their phone number or email address. Which one you use is determined by the device you are calling:

  • When calling someone using an iPhone 4 or later: Try the phone number of the person you are calling first. If the person has registered an email with FaceTime, you can use that as well.
  • When calling someone using an iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, iPod touch (4th generation) or later, or FaceTime for Mac: Use the email address designated for FaceTime of the person you are calling.

On iPad, iPod touch, and FaceTime for Mac, you need to add a person as a contact using the FaceTime or Contacts app before you can call them.

How do I make a FaceTime call?

You can make a FaceTime call in multiple ways, depending on your device:

iPhone 4 or later: You can place a FaceTime call using the following apps:

  • Phone: While on a phone call, you can tap the FaceTime icon to invite the other party to a FaceTime call.
  • Contacts: Tap the FaceTime icon to place a FaceTime call to the contact you are viewing.

iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, iPod touch (4th generation) or later, and FaceTime for Mac: You can place a FaceTime call using the following apps:

  • FaceTime: Place a FaceTime call using your contacts list.
  • Contacts: Tap the FaceTime icon to place a FaceTime call to the contact you are viewing.

Note: There is no FaceTime app on iPhone. Use the Phone app instead.

For additional information on setting up and using FaceTime, see the User Guide for your device or FaceTime for Mac: About HD video calling.

Additional Information

Troubleshooting FaceTime calls

If you're unable to activate or make FaceTime calls, try turning FaceTime off and on again using the following:

  • iOS: Settings > FaceTime
  • FaceTime for Mac: FaceTime > Preferences

Note: FaceTime may not be available on devices purchased or used in certain countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

If you can't place a FaceTime call to a particular contact, try the following:

  • Verify that you have the correct phone number or email address.
  • Use the correct method of contacting the person. If you are calling:
    • An iPhone 4 user: Use the phone number
    • An iPad, iPod touch, or FaceTime for Mac user: Use the email address
  • Check that each person has an active Wi-Fi or cellular data connection*. 
  • Verify that the date and time are set correctly on your iOS device or Mac.
  • The Apple ID you are using to register FaceTime on iPad, iPod touch, or FaceTime for Mac must be an email address.
    • If your Apple ID is not an email address, you can change it on appleid.apple.com. This article provides instructions on how to change the Apple ID.
  • When calling someone using their email address, they must verify that email address for use with FaceTime and be signed in to their Apple ID account. They can verify they are signed in using:
    • iOS: Settings > FaceTime
    • FaceTime for Mac: FaceTime > Preferences
    • Note: If verification is pending, follow the instructions in the email that was sent to that email address to complete verification.

For additional details on troubleshooting FaceTime on iOS devices, see this article.

* FaceTime over a cellular data connection is available on the iPhone 4S or later, iPad (3rd generation or later, Cellular models) , or iPad mini (Cellular models). Find out if your carrier supports FaceTime over cellular. 

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How much does it cost to use FaceTime?
Currenty, FaceTime only works over WiFi, so it has no impact on the plan from your carrier, and thus is "free", if your WiFi connection is free. When iOS 6.0 is introduced, FaceTime will be able to be done over 3G. This will use your carrier data plan. Note: carrier support for FaceTime, over 3G, is required in order to be able to FaceTime over 3G. In other words, even though you have "unlimited data", you carrier still must support FaceTime over 3G.
in using_iphone, Sep 1, 2012 - 0 people liked this - 1 replies
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