So we're all rather spoiled for choice - I don't think this link creation system will increase Apple's FaceTime's market share of the video market much, but it's certainly an option that's worth keeping up your sleeve for when it's your turn to coordinate linking up multiple family members (with multiple OS0 in this pandemic world. Which is pretty cool as an extra option, though I should point out that every iOS user I know with Android-owning friends already has Whatsapp installed - and that's an easier cross-platform video calling solution.
They don't even have to do it right away the link should remain active until you delete it. Now the person(s) you sent the link to will be able to tap that link whenever to jump into your FaceTime call. Enter all the sharing details you need for your selected method.Tap the sharing method you want to use.Type in your desired name for your link.
IMore has been playing with the beta and has detailed the steps needed to create a FaceTime group call that includes Android or Windows users:Ĭreating a FaceTime link is pretty straightforward, and it all starts in the FaceTime app. But not when iOS 15 has rolled out in a couple of months, since the new FaceTime version includes a link creation system that lets those on other platforms join in as more or less equal partners.
So using Apple's pretty slick FaceTime video software excludes them. Especially in the UK, iPhones and iPads are pretty common among families and grandparents (etc.), but there's always someone who's on Android (or evena Windows laptop in this scenario). Making it a pain when scheduling a family group video call, as you have to find a system that everyone has installed and set up.
Skype is perhaps the most venerable, then there's Whatsapp, Viber, Hangouts, Google Duo, plus a dozen more lesser players. Clicking on a FaceTime link will launch the web browser and prompt you to enter you name to join the call ( Figure B).Video (or indeed audio) calling over the Internet on phones has been a thing for ages, of course. If you're on another platform, you can still join a call if an Apple user has generated a link (only FaceTime devices are capable of generating a link through the FaceTime app).
How to join a FaceTime call on another platformĪpple makes joining a FaceTime call through a link extremely easy: If you're on an Apple platform, just tap or click the link and it will launch the FaceTime app and join you to the call. When an attendee joins the FaceTime link, you will get a notification on your device so that you can easily join and start the call with a single tap. Sharing this FaceTime link does not automatically schedule a call on a calendar system however, the provided link can easily be added to a calendar invite sent to attendees. When you share this link, users can click on it to open the FaceTime app and join the call or, if they are not on an Apple device that supports FaceTime, they can join by web browser on most modern mobile and desktop operating systems.
In this how-to article, we'll walk through how to schedule a FaceTime call and also how a user that doesn't have access to the FaceTime app on an Apple device can join a call and change their audio and video settings.