How to Use FaceTime on iPhone: Calling Family Made Easy

FaceTime is already on your iPhone, so there is nothing to download and nothing to pay for. It is Apple's video and voice calling app, the one that lets you see the person you are talking to on screen. It works over Wi-Fi or mobile data between any two Apple devices, which means an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac computer. A FaceTime call uses your internet connection rather than your phone minutes, so it does not cost a penny in call charges.

The app has a green icon with a small white video camera inside it. You will usually find it on your home screen or in the App Library, the area you reach by swiping left past your last page of apps. Once you know where it is and how to start a call, FaceTime becomes one of the simplest ways to see your family face to face when they live far away.

Making sure FaceTime is switched on

FaceTime is ready to use on most iPhones straight away, but it is worth a quick check. Open the Settings app, the grey icon with gears on it, and scroll down until you see FaceTime in the list. Tap it. If the switch at the top is grey, tap it once so it turns green, which means FaceTime is on. If it is already green, you are set.

On the same screen you will see the phone number and email address that people can reach you on through FaceTime. These are tied to your Apple Account, the free account that came with your iPhone. There is nothing you need to change here, but it helps to know that family can call you on either your number or your email address.

Starting a video call step by step

To call someone, you start from the FaceTime app and pick the person you want to see. The steps below assume their details are already saved in your Contacts, the address book on your phone. If they are not, you can type their phone number or email directly into the search box at the top instead.

1. Tap the green FaceTime icon to open the app.
2. Tap the New FaceTime button near the top of the screen.
3. Type the name of the person, or their number, in the box that appears.
4. Tap their name when it shows in the list below.
5. Tap the green FaceTime button to start the call.

The phone now rings the other person. When they answer, their face fills the screen and a small picture of your own face sits in the corner so you can see how you appear. Hold the phone at eye level and a little away from you, so the camera shows your whole face rather than just your chin.

Answering a call when someone rings you

When a FaceTime call comes in, your screen lights up and shows the caller's name with two buttons. If the phone is unlocked, you see a green Accept button and a red Decline button. Tap the green one to answer. If the phone is locked, you slide the green icon to the right instead. Either way, you are connected in a second.

If you cannot take the call right then, tap the red Decline button and the ringing stops. The caller simply sees that you did not answer, the same as a missed phone call, and you can call them back whenever suits you. Declining a call is polite and normal, and the other person is not told you pressed decline on purpose.

Using the buttons during a call

While a call is running, a row of round buttons appears on the screen. If they disappear, a single tap anywhere on the screen brings them back. These buttons let you mute your sound, turn off your camera, or end the call, and they are the only controls you really need to learn.

The table below explains what each main button does. You do not need to memorise them, because their icons are clear once you have used them a couple of times.

The flip-camera button is handy for showing a family member something around you, such as a garden or a new piece of furniture. Tap it once to switch to the camera on the back of the phone, then tap it again to return to showing your face.

Calling someone who does not have an iPhone

FaceTime can now include people on Android phones and Windows computers through a web link. In the FaceTime app, tap Create Link. Your phone offers to share that link by text message, email, or WhatsApp. Send it to the person you want to call, and they tap the link to join the call in their web browser, with no app to install.

This link method is the easiest way to bridge the gap when part of the family is on Apple and part is not. The video quality is the same, and you start the call from your usual FaceTime app. Once everyone has joined, the call works just like any other FaceTime call, with the same buttons for muting and hanging up.

Tips for a clear, comfortable call

A few small habits make every call better. Prop the phone against something steady, such as a stack of books or a phone stand, so you do not have to hold it for a long chat. This keeps the picture still and frees your hands. Sitting somewhere quiet also helps, since FaceTime picks up background noise like a television or running water.

Wi-Fi gives the steadiest picture, so connect to your home Wi-Fi before a long call if you can. If the picture freezes or goes blocky, it usually means the internet connection dipped for a moment, and it clears on its own within a few seconds. There is no need to hang up; just wait and the image comes back.

Frequently asked questions

Does FaceTime cost anything?

No. FaceTime is free to use and comes built into every iPhone. It uses your internet connection rather than your call minutes. The only cost is the data it uses, which is included in home Wi-Fi and in most mobile plans.

Can people see my home when I call?

They only see whatever the camera is pointed at, which is your face by default. If you would rather they not see the room, sit against a plain wall. You can also tap the camera-off button at any time to hide your video while you keep talking.

What if I cannot find the FaceTime app?

Swipe down on the middle of your home screen to open Search, type FaceTime, and tap it in the results. This finds any app on your phone even when its icon is tucked away on another page. The app cannot be deleted from a standard iPhone, so it is always there somewhere.

Can I make a voice-only FaceTime call?

Yes. FaceTime has an audio-only mode for when you do not want to be on camera or your connection is weak. In the FaceTime app, after you pick a person, look for the FaceTime Audio option instead of the video button. It still uses the internet rather than your call minutes, so it stays free, and the sound is often clearer than an ordinary phone call.