Use Group FaceTime on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

With iOS 12.1 and later, Group FaceTime makes it easy to chat with multiple people at the same time. You can start a Group FaceTime right from the FaceTime app or from a group conversation in the Messages app. The tile of the person speaking gets larger automatically, so you’ll never lose track of the conversation.

 

To use Group FaceTime video calls, you need an iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4 with iOS 12.1. Earlier models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that support iOS 12.1 can join Group FaceTime calls as audio participants.

FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.

Make a call from
the FaceTime app
 

Make a call from
the Messages app
 

Join a Group
FaceTime call
 

Add a person to
a group call
 

Add camera effects
to FaceTime calls
 

Change Facetime audio
and video settings
 

Make a call from the FaceTime app

  1. Go to Settings > FaceTime, and make sure that FaceTime is on.
  2. Open FaceTime and tap  in the top-right corner.
  3. Enter the name of your contacts, phone numbers, or emails.
  4. To start your FaceTime call, tap Audio or Video.

Make a call from the Messages app

In a group conversation in Messages, you can start Group FaceTime right from the group conversation. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Messages and start a group conversation. Or go to an existing group conversation.
  2. Tap the contacts at the top of the group conversation.
  3. Tap FaceTime , then start your call.

 

Join a FaceTime call

There are a few ways to join a Group FaceTime call that someone else started:

  • Tap the notification from the Notification Center or the Lock screen, then tap FaceTime icon. 
  • To join a Group FaceTime call from Messages, tap the notification at the top of your screen or tap Join from the group conversation in Messages. After you tap Join, you're automatically connected.
  • To join a call from the FaceTime app, just go to the active call in FaceTime, then tap FaceTime icon. 

From a notification

notification

 

From a group message

 

add a person screen

Add a person to a Group FaceTime call

  1. From the call, tap add icon.
  2. Tap Add Person. 
  3. Enter the contact's name, phone number, or email.
  4. Tap Add Person to FaceTime.

camera effects screen

Add camera effects to your calls

If you have an iPhone X or later, or an iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), you can use Animoji and Memoji in your Group FaceTime calls. With iPhone 7 and later, you can use other camera effects, like filters, text, and shapes.

To use an Animoji or Memoji on an iPhone X or later, or an iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation):

  1. During a FaceTime call, tap camera effects.
  2. Tap Animoji icon, then pick your Animoji or Memoji.

To use other camera effects:

  1. During a FaceTime call, tap camera effects.
  2. Tap Filters filters icon, Text text icon, or Shapes shapes icon.

You need an iPhone X or later, or an iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) to use Animoji and Memoji. Not all filters and effects are supported on all iOS devices.

Change FaceTime audio and video settings

You can change the audio and video settings in the FaceTime app at any time during a call. To change your settings, tap the screen, then tap more button, and choose from these options:

Tap Flip to switch to the rear camera. Tap it again to switch back to the front-facing camera.

Tap Mute to turn off the sound. Tap Mute again to turn the sound back on.

Tap Speaker to switch between mute and the speaker.

 

Tap Camera off to turn the camera off. Tap it again to turn it back on*.

 

 

* To use Group FaceTime video calls, you need an iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4 with iOS 12.1. Earlier models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that support iOS 12.1 can join Group FaceTime calls as audio participants.

Do more with FaceTime

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