FaceTime on Android
I’m sure most of you know that FaceTime is a product developed and owned by Apple. It used to be that you could not use FaceTime on Android. Now, however, the doors have opened for Android and Windows users to use FaceTime. And that is a big win! Hurrah, you don’t need an iPhone to use FaceTime anymore.
What Is FaceTime
You may already be familiar with Zoom. FaceTime is similar in that it lets you make video and audio calls. Here is how Lifewire explains FaceTime. It is an app that supports video and audio calling between Apple devices.
You will need Wi-Fi to use Apple’s FaceTime. Using Wi-Fi means you can place free internet-based calls from anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection.
FaceTime on Android Is Different
A person with an Apple device using iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS 12 Monterey needs to send you a link. Or, if you have an iPhone or iPad, you can also choose the Create Link option near the top of the interface. Doing so will open the Share Sheet. Now select Add Name near the top of the Share Sheet to give your FaceTime call a custom name. To open the link, you will need to open it in the Google Chrome mobile browser.
makeuseof.com explains that when you have the call named, choose Copy from the menu so you can paste the FaceTime call URL into Messages, Mail, or any other apps. You can also generate a link for a related event in the Calendar app if you wish to.
Share a FaceTime Link
To share a FaceTime link, touch the i button next to the listed call underneath Upcoming, then choose Share Link. From the Share Sheet, choose friends or family to text the link or select an app like Mail or WhatsApp to share the link through that.
Start a Scheduled FaceTime Call
With the FaceTime web link shared, the actual call won’t start until you start it. So, touch the call listed under the heading Upcoming to open the full-screen FaceTime event. This gives you a chance to see how you look and to check whether others have already joined the call.
To start the scheduled call, tap the green Join button in the upper right.
How Do You End the Call
What do you do if you want to end the FaceTime call on your Apple device? Touch the screen near the top to bring up the FaceTime controls. Press the red Leave button. Doing so will end the call. Don’t worry; its link will still be active for anyone wishing to join the call if you restart it in the future.
To make the link inactive, you must manually delete it.
You Want to Delete a FaceTime Link
Your unique FaceTime link remains active until manually deleted.
To delete a scheduled FaceTime link, swipe left over it under the Upcoming heading to reveal a Delete option. Tap it, then confirm the operation by choosing Delete Link from the dialog that pops up. You can also tap i next to the listed call, then select Delete Link.
I’m the Android User: How to Join
For Android and Windows users, FaceTime in a browser works surprisingly well. Calls are end-to-end encrypted.
To join an upcoming FaceTime call from an Android or Windows device, you must click the link received from the Apple user who scheduled the call.
Type your name you wish to use during the FaceTime call. Your name is then sent to the call owner telling them your request is pending. Even though you can see your live video, the other parties won’t see it until you are approved.
Are Multi-Platform FaceTime Calls Private?
Makeuseof.com mentions that FaceTime calls with Windows or Android users are end-to-end encrypted, just like Apple-to-Apple ones. When you set up FaceTime on your Apple device, you can select your mobile number or email address as your caller ID. But whenever a Windows or Android user joins FaceTime from a link, they will be able to see your caller ID.
That’s something worth keeping in mind. It may be a good idea to use a separate email address as your caller ID when FaceTiming with non-Apple friends.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful. Now FaceTime is even more versatile – usable not only by iOS but also by Android and Windows.
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Categorised in: Apps
This post was written by Pam Lokker
