How to Make a FaceTime Call on an iPhone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Have you ever wanted to call a friend, family member, or even the girl that gave you her number at the bar without using the phone app? This wikiHow teaches you how to use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your iPhone.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Enabling FaceTime

1
Open your iPhone's settings. It's an app showing gray cogs that can be found on one of your home screens.
- The settings might also be located in a folder labeled "Utilities."
2
Scroll down and tap FaceTime.
3
Slide the white circle next to “FaceTime” to the on position. The bar will turn green. The FaceTime feature is now turned on for your phone.
4
Make sure your phone number is marked with a check. It should be listed below "You can be reached by FaceTime at."
- Since you're using an iPhone, FaceTime has automatically registered your phone number.^{[1]
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- If you'd like to register your email address in addition to your phone number, tap on Use Your Apple ID for FaceTime and sign in.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Making a FaceTime Call

1
Press the Home button. It’s the big circle located at the bottom of your iPhone.
2
Tap the FaceTime icon. It's a green icon with a picture of a camera inside, and can be found on one of your home screens.
3
Tap +.
4
Find and tap on a contact name. You can either scroll through the list or type a name into the text field next to the magnifying glass at the top of the screen.
5
Tap the FaceTime video icon next to the contact's name. It looks like a camera.
- If the FaceTime video icon is greyed out, that means the contact does not have the FaceTime feature on his/her phone.
- If the FaceTime video icon is in blue, that means the contact has FaceTime. You will be able to place a FaceTime call to him/her.
- You can also tap on the phone icon to make a FaceTime Audio call.
6
Wait for the FaceTime call to connect. When the FaceTime call has connected, your contact will be shown on screen and a preview of your video is shown at the upper right-hand corner.
7
Press the End button to disconnect. It's the red circle with a telephone inside.
- If you don’t see the icon, tap anywhere on the screen.

Community Q&A

Question

Why doesn't the FaceTime icon appear when I have added a contact to my list?

Community Answer

The icon will not appear if the person you added has an Android or other type of phone that does not have FaceTime. If they do have an iPhone, the person may have FaceTime disabled.
Question

What can I do if the recipient's phone says "FaceTime unavailable"?

Community Answer

This means either the person is not picking up the phone, you don't have working Wi-Fi, or the recipient doesn't have Wi-Fi.
Question

How do I accept a FaceTime call?

Community Answer

There should be a green phone button or a slide to answer at the bottom of the screen.
Question

I cannot connect to the FaceTime server. What can I do?

Community Answer

Check your network connection and make sure you're actually connected to the internet. If you are, it may be a problem on Apple's end or another problem with your iPhone. You should contact Apple for help with your issue.
Question

Is it only possible for iPhone to iPhone or can I call other mobile phones as well?

Community Answer

Only possible between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch). There are other video chat services, such as Skype and Oovoo, that work on most devices regardless of brand.
Question

What do I do if FaceTime won't work at all for me?

Community Answer

Go to an Apple Store to see if there's a problem with your phone or the app.
Question

I can't get my phone off of FaceTime with the person I was face timing with. What do I do?

Community Answer

Look around at the right corner, then click the rectangle box. The options will come, and click end or block option.
Question

How do I put FaceTime on my iPhone 6?

Community Answer

You may not have the latest update and have to update the version of your iPhone in Settings. FaceTime should be there automatically.

Warnings

You can only make FaceTime calls to other users of FaceTime devices (iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch) that have a Wi-Fi connection or a cellular data plan.

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The FaceTime feature is not available or might not appear on devices purchased in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.^{[2]
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