How to FaceTime on Android

Learn how to join FaceTime calls on an Android phone

By
Joshua Hawkins
Josh Hawkins
Joshua Hawkins
Freelance Technology Reporter
  • Full Sail University
Josh Hawkins is a freelance writer for Lifewire who loves writing about the latest tech and gadgets that help make people’s lives easier. As an avid gamer and VR enthusiast, he also enjoys diving deep into the technology that helps bring those kinds of experiences to life.
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Updated on November 16, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

  • Android users can only join FaceTime calls already in progress, and an iOS user must invite them.
  • Launch FaceTime on iPhone/iPad > Create Link > Name the FaceTime call > Send link via messages or email. 
  • The Android user can join the call by opening the link. The iPhone user must let them in, though.

This article breaks down the steps you must follow to join a FaceTime call on Android. Users running iOS 15 or macOS Monterey (or newer) can invite Android users to FaceTime calls.

How to FaceTime on Android

If you want to use FaceTime on Android, you’re first going to need someone who has iOS 15 installed on an iPad or iPhone. From there, you can follow the steps below to create the FaceTime call and invite those using Android.

  1. Launch Facetime on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.

  2. Tap the Create Link option.

    The FaceTime homepage on iPad OS 15.

  3. Give the FaceTime call a name by tapping the Add Name option at the top of the action menu. This will make it easier to keep track of, especially if you choose to schedule it for later.

    Sharing options when using the create link in FaceTime.

  4. Select a sharing method and send the link to the Android users.

  5. Once you have sent the link, the Android user can open the link, set a name for themselves, and then join the call.

    Joining a FaceTime already in progress on Android.

After joining the call, Android users can mute their mic, turn off their video, switch the camera view, and leave the call as needed.

Limits of Using FaceTime on an Android Phone

While you can join FaceTime calls created using the iOS Create Link system, you cannot make FaceTime calls yourself on an Android phone. Unlike the iOS version of the video calling app, FaceTime on Android works via a web browser instead of a dedicated application. As such, it does not have any capabilities outside of joining calls by invite.

It is unclear if Apple will ever update how FaceTime works on Android phones or if there are plans to create a standalone app that users can download to make calls. For now, users will still need to rely on an iPhone or iPad user to set up the call and get things started.

Joining FaceTime calls from Android devices can be helpful, especially if you have family members who don’t have an iPhone or Mac. However, there are some limitations in place.

FAQ
  • How do I install FaceTime on Android?

    FaceTime isn't available to install on Android. If you have an Android phone, you can participate in FaceTime calls when invited by an iOS user, as described above.

  • How can I make video calls on an Android phone?

    To make video calls on Android, you can use the built-in video calling feature from the Phone app by selecting a contact and tapping Video call. Google Duo, the Google video calling app that comes preinstalled on many Android phones, is another option. It's also available for iPhones, which means you can video call contacts that use either iOS or Android.

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