Can I use FaceTime on Windows?

Only as a guest. FaceTime has no Windows app, but a PC can join a call through a link an Apple user shares, using Chrome or Edge.

Yes. FaceTime is free on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac with no subscription or in-app purchase. Over cellular, calls simply use your data plan.

How many people can be on a FaceTime call?

Up to 32 people can join a single Group FaceTime call.

Is FaceTime available in every country?

No. FaceTime is restricted in mainland China, where FaceTime Audio and call links are not supported, and Russia has moved to block it.

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Rating

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Description

Everything you need to know about FaceTime

Every iPhone, iPad, and Mac already carries a video calling app, and for most Apple owners that app is FaceTime. It runs on your phone number or Apple Account, so there is no signup. Before you download or restore it, ask how far FaceTime reaches once someone in your circle uses Android.

Can FaceTime reach people who don’t own an Apple device?

Only halfway. An iPhone, iPad, or Mac user can create a FaceTime link and send it to anyone, and the guest joins from Chrome or Edge on Android or Windows. That guest cannot start a call, cannot ring you back, and gets no SharePlay or screen sharing in the browser. Between Apple devices, the friction disappears: calls ring on every device signed in to your account, and Handoff moves a live call from iPhone to Mac. Recent updates added Live Captions and video messages for missed calls.

Group calls, SharePlay, and encryption on every Apple screen

Group FaceTime holds up to 32 people, and SharePlay keeps a show or an album in sync for everyone while the call runs. Screen sharing turns a call into quick tech support. Audio and video are end-to-end encrypted, group calls included, so Apple cannot read what is said. Portrait mode, Studio Light, and Voice Isolation clean up a dim, noisy room. On Apple TV 4K, an iPhone becomes the camera through Continuity Camera. On a weak connection, video steps down instead of dropping, and FaceTime Audio is the lighter fallback.

FaceTime compared with WhatsApp, Google Meet, and Zoom

WhatsApp runs natively on both Android and iPhone, so it covers mixed families, though everyone needs an account. Google Meet is the more complete video calling option in a browser and suits calendar invites. Zoom leads on large meetings and recording, with time limits on free group meetings. FaceTime wins only inside the Apple ecosystem, and there it wins clearly. For calls inside an Apple household, FaceTime is the right default; in a mixed Apple and Android circle, keep WhatsApp or Meet beside it, not in place of it.

The Apple household call app worth the FaceTime download

Anyone on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac who mostly calls other Apple users should keep FaceTime front and center, because no other video calling app matches its encryption and handoff with zero setup. If most of your calls go to Android phones, it becomes a secondary tool. For Apple owners who removed it or never signed in, FaceTime is worth the download.

Download

iOS

27.0

Install

Open Source:

License:

Free

Account required:

Not clearly stated

Data collection level:

Standard

Maintenance status:

Actively maintained

Data collected:

Account info

Usage and telemetry

Location

Device identifiers

Third party data sharing:

Not clearly stated

No logs policy:

Not applicable

Encryption:

Not clearly stated

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Pros

No signup, since it runs on your existing phone number or Apple Account

End-to-end encryption covers group calls, not only one-to-one

SharePlay and screen sharing work inside the call itself

Calls follow you between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV

Cons

Android and Windows users can join by link but never start a call

Availability is limited in some countries, including mainland China and Russia

Specs

Technical details and system requirements

iOS

Version:

27.0

File Size:

Release Date:

September 14, 2026

iOS 10.0 or later

Verified Source: All specifications, version histories, and download links on this page are checked against the developer's official website before publishing.

Developer

Apple Inc.

Brand

Apple

Rating (Age)

System

iOS

Languages

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Changelog

Not available on Windows

Not available on MAC

Not available on Android

v 27.0

September 14, 2026

Dual Capture support in FaceTime lets you share your front and rear camera views at the same time during a call (iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air)
Expanded Communication Safety protections now intervene before children see gore or violent content in shared images and videos, in addition to nudity
Ships as part of iOS 27, bringing system-wide performance, connectivity, and Liquid Glass readability improvements

Common Problems and Fixes

Troubleshooting Guide for FaceTime

Check your connection, then turn on Set Automatically under Settings > General > Date & Time. Switch FaceTime off and back on in its settings page and allow a few minutes before trying again.

Reviews

0 verified user reviews

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FaceTime: Trust & Privacy Summary

FaceTime is free and closed-source. Its App Store privacy label lists account info, usage and telemetry, location, and device identifiers. Audio and video calls are end-to-end encrypted. It is actively maintained. Whether an account is required and whether data is shared with third parties are not clearly stated.