How to Make a FaceTime Audio Call - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Make a FaceTime Audio Call

by

ios12 facetime iconMaking a FaceTime call on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac costs nothing and is extremely easy to do, and if you're camera shy, you can even make an audio-only call. If you've never used ‌FaceTime‌ before to get in touch with someone, here's all you need to know to get going.

Every iPhone, ‌iPad‌, iPod Touch, and Mac comes with a built-in ‌FaceTime‌ app, so you don't need to install anything. All you need to call someone is a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.

Remember that the person you want to call can be located almost anywhere in the world, but they need to own an iOS device or a Mac and to have set up a FaceTime account of their own.

How to Make a FaceTime Call on iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone or ‌iPad‌.
  2. Tap the plus (+) button.
  3. Type in the name, email address or number that you want to call. As you type, your Contacts list will be searched and any matching contacts will appear below. You can tap to select the person you want to call. Alternatively, tap the circled plus (+) button to select someone from your Contacts to call.
    facetime

  4. Tap the Audio button to initiate the call.

If the Audio button is greyed out, the contact you are trying to call doesn't have ‌FaceTime‌ enabled or hasn't set up a ‌FaceTime‌ account.

How to Make a FaceTime Call on Mac

  1. Launch the FaceTime app on your Mac, from your Dock or the Applications folder.
    apps

  2. Type in the name, email address or number that you want to call. As you type, your Contacts list will be searched and any matching contacts will appear in a dropdown list – you can use the Down arrow on your keyboard or click to select the person you want to call.
  3. Tap the Audio button to initiate the call.
    facetime

If the Audio button is greyed out, the contact you are trying to call has disabled ‌FaceTime‌ or hasn't set up a ‌FaceTime‌ account.

Popular Stories

iphone 16 teal

'Siri AI' Lawsuit Update: Apple to Pay Owners of These iPhone Models

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:08 am PDT by
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout. This week, the California court overseeing the case held a hearing regarding preliminary approval of the settlement, but the judge has not yet issued a ruling. It will likely be at least a few more months before eligible...
Apple TV Thumb 3

Everything Coming in the 2026 Apple TV 4K

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:51 pm PDT by
The Apple TV 4K hasn't been updated since 2022, and it's due for a refresh. An update is planned for 2026, but Apple is likely going to wait to launch it after Siri AI launches in iOS 27. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 6 U.S. States

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:29 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards,...