Group FaceTime Chats Coming to iOS 12, Supports Up to 32 Simultaneous Users - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Group FaceTime Chats Coming to iOS 12, Supports Up to 32 Simultaneous Users

by

Beginning this fall with iOS 12, FaceTime will support audio and video calls with as many as 32 simultaneous participants. Members will be able to drop in and out of group call as necessary, much like an ongoing conference call.

The announcement could be a blow to dedicated conference call services like Zoom, as smaller organizations may choose to rely on the the built-in FaceTime rather than paying for a more feature-filled service.

f1528135367

On more populated video calls, the FaceTime app will automatically focus on and enlarge the "tiles" of users, and vary the size of individual tiles when someone else talks. You can also choose to lock focus on a certain user, and apply filter effects, Animoji, and the new Memoji to yourself while live on a call.

Group FaceTime will work on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and you can answer on audio using the Apple Watch.

Top Rated Comments

newyorksole Avatar
103 months ago
32 people? That almost seems excessive. It doesn’t appear to be a feature I will never find useful.
Maybe, just MAYBE there are people/companies who need to video chat with that many people... Even though YOU think it’s excessive.

Obviously the majority of people will use it with 2-4 people.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
103 months ago
That’s exciting but I don’t know the reason for me to have 32 people on chat like this.

Maybe someday I’ll need it.
Support for up to 32 people. Doesn't require it. While not for you, I'm sure others may have a desire to FT with 3, 4, 8, 15, or 31 others. For those people, this will be great.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
highlight of the show GROUP FACETIME!!!!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
That’s exciting but I don’t know the reason for me to have 32 people on chat like this.

Maybe someday I’ll need it.
well if they limit it to 3-4 people there will always be those complainers that will say how come i cant do 5.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Maybe, just MAYBE there are people/companies who need to video chat with that many people... Even though YOU think it’s excessive..
Good point. For example, I didn’t think about utilizing maybe a corporation that has to have some sort a type of group meeting that might have employees that are scattered about and then having them congregate through group FaceTime, probably would be beneficial.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MDF314159265 Avatar
103 months ago
Brady bunch FaceTime!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...