FaceTime has become a premium video calling app in more ways than one with the latest iOS 15 and macOS Monterey update. Newly introduced features like screen sharing, Portrait Mode and sound isolation in Facetime make it pretty high on demand. However, what’s apparently getting everyone’s attention is FaceTime support on Windows and Android. And no wonder so many people are willing to use FaceTime on Android and Windows devices. So, if you are wondering about testing it on your Windows PC, here is a step-by-step guide on how to use FaceTime on Windows.
How to Join FaceTime Calls on Windows PC (2021)
To begin, let’s take a look at some of the limitations and discuss what works and what doesn’t in FaceTime for Windows. It will make the task of setting up and using FaceTime on Windows PCs much easier. Having said that, let’s jump right in.
How FaceTime Works on Windows
Call it Apple’s strategy to lure Windows users, or a mandatory decision to avoid strong competition from video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet, the Cupertino giant has gone beyond its ecosystem. While the move to introduce FaceTime on Windows was significant, Apple also introduced a few restrictions.
Now, many of you must be wondering – how can you install FaceTime on your Windows computer? The answer is, you can’t. Apples video calling app only works through a browser On Windows and Android. The video calling app only supports Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows.
Also, if you want to start a FaceTime meeting, you should first ask a friend who has an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. create meeting link and share it with you. This means you cannot create a FaceTime invite link on your Windows device. And you will only be able to join a meeting if you have a connection.
In addition to the list of restrictions, FaceTime for Windows unfortunately also Does not support the much talked about SharePlay feature. That means you can’t join a FaceTime video call to watch movies with your friends or listen to Apple Music together.
In a nutshell, FaceTime for Windows only lets you join a meeting via a link and offers basic controls like mute/unmute, enable/disable video, and use a grid layout. Beyond these heavy restrictions, the only good thing is that you can now connect with Apple device owners via FaceTime on your Windows computer. And that too without having to create an Apple ID account.
How to Create a FaceTime Invite Link on Mac
As I mentioned above, you’ll need to ping a friend who has a Mac or iPhone and ask them to create a meeting connection to try FaceTime on Windows. If your friend is a Mac user, they can follow these steps to create and share a FaceTime invite link.
- Open the FaceTime app on your Mac and Create Link.
2. Next, click on little info button located next to the FaceTime link you just created.
3. Now, click on Share press the button in the menu.
4. Next, choose the method you want to share the FaceTime link. You can choose to share the link through the Apple Mail app and the Messages app. Also, you have the option copy meeting link and share via other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and others.
How to Create a FaceTime Invite Link on iPhone and iPad
While I’ve detailed the process of creating a FaceTime invite link using an iOS device in our guide to making FaceTime calls between iPhone and Android, here’s a quick refresher.
1. To get started, launch the FaceTime app on your iOS device and click “Create Link” Press the button to establish a FaceTime call connection.
2. Next, tap . info button Next, which appears next to the FaceTime link, tap on
“Share link” button on the next page.
3. Finally, share the FaceTime invite link with a Windows user using your preferred method. You have the option to share through a variety of channels, including messages, WhatsApp, email, Facebook Messenger and more.
How to Use FaceTime on Your Windows PC
note: We are using a Windows 10 computer to demonstrate how FaceTime works on Windows, but the process remains the same for the newly launched Windows 11 and older generation Windows 8 and Windows 7 operating system.
When you receive a FaceTime meeting link, you can join a FaceTime call on your Windows device in a few easy steps. Just follow the guide below:
- To get started, click the FaceTime link and open it in Chrome or Edge browser.
2. Now, enter your name in the FaceTime web experience and Go on.
3. Then a pop-up message will appear asking you to grant camera and microphone permissions to the website. The message reads – “facetime.apple.com wants to use your microphone and camera.” Click “To let” In the popup to allow FaceTime to access both the camera and microphone of your Windows PC.
4th place, green “To joinPress the “button in the bottom left” to ask the host to allow you to enter the video call.
5. a “Pending permission” means that a request has been sent to the session owner to be allowed to join the chat.
That’s it. Once inside, you’ll be able to talk to your friends via FaceTime on your Windows PC. You can click the red “Leave” button to exit the meeting at any time.
Customize FaceTime Controls on Windows
For a better communication experience, FaceTime makes several basic controls available to Windows users over the web. Let me show you how to fine-tune them.
Go Full Screen: During the call, if you want to maximize the FaceTime window, click the maximize button. You can click this button again to minimize the FaceTime window.
Mute FaceTime Call: Click the microphone button to mute/unmute the sound on your Windows PC.
Toggle Video: Click the video icon to disable/enable video during the call.
Enable/Disable Grid Layout: If you want all contacts in a FaceTime call to appear in the grid, click . ellipsis button from the control center. After this, “Grid Layout” icon to enable/disable grid view. Click “CompletedTo return to the Facetime call.
note: You can share FaceTime meeting links even while on a call. Click the three dots button and then “Share link” option. After that, share the link with your preferred contacts.
Add FaceTime Bookmark to Google Chrome on Windows PC
If you plan to FaceTime with friends or colleagues often, I recommend adding a FaceTime bookmark to Google Chrome for hassle-free access. That way, you won’t have to repeatedly search through emails or conversation threads to find a meeting link. Moreover, you will not need to create a new meeting link every time. With the FaceTime bookmark at hand, you can start a meeting in a few clicks.
While I’m not sure how long a FaceTime meeting link will remain valid, I can confirm that the link remains active for several days. I was able to use a two-week FaceTime connection with my friends on Android while testing the feature. That’s why it’s a good idea to bookmark the FaceTime link.
1. To do this FaceTime connection Click on the star icon in Chrome and in the upper right corner of the address bar. After this, “add bookmark“.
2. Now customize the bookmark according to your needs. I suggest renaming it to “FaceTime” so it’s always more accessible.
note: The process of adding a website to your favorites in Microsoft Edge is just as simple. Simply open the FaceTime link in Microsoft Edge and click the “Bookmark this page” button in the address bar. After that, rename the favorite and hit Done.
Add FaceTime Meeting Link as Shortcut on Chrome Home
To quickly access a FaceTime meeting link, you can add the link as a shortcut to the Chrome homepage. If you’re a loyal Chrome user, you already know that the process is pretty simple. Still, follow the steps below.
1. Go to the Google Chrome homepage and click “Add shortcut” button.
2. Now, a proper name for your shortcut and paste the FaceTime link URL that your friend shared with you. After this, “Completed” to finish.
3. That’s it. With this shortcut on the Chrome homepage, you can now join a FaceTime call with your friends in no time.
Tips for Using FaceTime on Windows Like a Pro
That is all! You can’t unlock all of the much-talked about FaceTime goodies on Windows, but it’s easier now to stay in touch with friends on Apple devices. So, that’s a nice change – finally. We may see a more powerful version of FaceTime on Windows soon, as Apple finally shows interest in expanding its presence beyond its indoor garden. All right, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
By the way, what is your view on FaceTime for Windows and what changes would you like to see in it? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
