FaceTime Launching on Apple TV With iPhone and iPad Camera Support - MacRumors
Skip to Content

FaceTime Launching on Apple TV With iPhone and iPad Camera Support

Apple today announced that FaceTime is launching on Apple TV as part of tvOS 17. The feature will take advantage of Apple's Continuity Camera feature, allowing for people to use a wirelessly connected iPhone or iPad camera to participate in a video call.

FaceTime Apple TV
Users will be able to start a FaceTime call directly from the new FaceTime app on Apple TV, or hand off a FaceTime call from an iPhone or iPad to your TV. The feature requires a second-generation Apple TV 4K or newer updated to tvOS 17, as well as any iPhone or iPad model updated to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 for camera and microphone functionality.

FaceTime on the Apple TV supports Center Stage, an existing feature that keeps people perfectly framed on the screen, even as they move around. New gesture-based reactions allow callers to use their hands to initiate on-screen effects, such as hearts or fireworks. FaceTime calls can be transferred back to an iPhone or iPad as needed.

tvOS 17 and iOS 17 are available in beta starting today, and the software updates will be released to the public later this year.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
General Apps Reddit Feature

Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead

Monday May 11, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...

Top Rated Comments

38 months ago
This is so obvious it’s painful. Here I was hoping for a HomePod soundbar with a Facetime camera; this is so much better.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ID_Field_Blank Avatar
38 months ago
I like this! Does anybody know what phone stand that is they’ve used in the screenshot above? Looks quite nice
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
I wish I could hook up a webcam to an AppleTV to make this work.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago
I really wish we had this back in 2020...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dugbug Avatar
38 months ago
I have wanted this for so long. we usually throw the iphone display up on the tv and its awkward to set up.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
38 months ago

Also, finally, there is a family use case, being an international couple, where on xmases, birthdays etc. We dial in family members that cant make it in person, to say hi. Again, being able to connect them to one of the AppleTVs (in the kitchen/dining room or livingroom), would be an upgrade on the always slightly award that assures when one of the elderly relatives abroad wants to say hi to everybody.

Is it life changing? No. Is it super innovative? No. Is it a nice feature to have? Yes.
This would be perfect for those events where people just turn on FaceTime to let family be present. With my family spread across multiple continents it is sometimes good to just have FaceTime on even if you are not talking all the time just to feel more connected. It would have been great when my kids were little.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)