How to FaceTime with Android and Windows Users

Want to FaceTime with your friends who have an Android or Windows device? Learn how to create a FaceTime link with this easy, step-by-step guide.

FaceTime, like Zoom and Skype, is a video chat app. It offers many great features like SharePlay and voice isolation. Steve Jobs introduced it as One More Thing with the release of the iPhone 4. He envisioned this app to work with all international services.

However, development of the app was delayed after its release. The year 2020 will come and the pandemic will shake the whole world. Apple was forced to revise its policy.

The recent work-from-home boom has forced Apple to expand its services across multiple platforms. So Facetime now works with both Windows and Android devices.

Fasten your seat belts as we dive into the world of video conferencing and answer all your questions.

Can I join FaceTime from my Android or Windows PC?

Android and Windows users can participate in group FaceTime calls, but only as guests. You can join a link created by the host, the user of the Apple device. However, you cannot join Facetime if:

• There is no space in a Facetime video call. Only 32 devices can connect to Facetime.
• Your internet connection is slow.
• Your device does not meet the basic requirements for video conferencing.

What do I need to join FaceTime through Android or Windows devices?

Basic requirements for Android and Windows devices to join:

• Apple User Invitation Link
• Latest Chrome Browser
• Latest version of Android or Windows devices
• At least 2 GB of RAM
• Processor frequency must be greater than 1 GHz.

Advice:

Videoconferencing is a resource-intensive process. Thus, the best web browser to use FaceTime is Google Chrome, which uses the most RAM.

What are the limitations of using FaceTime on Android and Windows computers?

Limitations on using a Windows or Android device to chat in FaceTime:

• Non-Apple users can’t video conference
• SharePlay cannot be used in a browser.
• Facetime Chat cannot be used in the browser
• No spatial sound support
• Browser-based video conferencing has poor user experience

Apple likes to keep its customers to itself. He created a walled garden in which all of his services are optimized to work only with each other. For example, all apps in the App Store pay a 30% commission on in-app transactions.

Facetime restrictions are also a continuation of the trend. The bottom line is that Apple has not released the Facetime app for Android and Windows users. Can a multi-billion dollar company like Apple not do this? Or doesn’t want to?

In its defense, Apple says that this power over its devices allows customers to enjoy an unrivaled user experience and services across all of their devices.

How to create a Facetime link using an Apple device?

To create a Facetime link using an Apple device:

• Open FaceTime on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
• Click “Create Link”in the top left corner.
• Click Add Name and enter a name for the meeting, then click OK.
• Join the link to become a meeting organizer
• Click “Share Link”and select an application from the list, such as WhatsApp.
• If the app doesn’t appear, click “Copy Link”to copy the link to your clipboard. Paste the link in your preferred app.

Precautionary measures

Android and Windows users can view the mobile phone number and email address you used to manage FaceTime. So before you start a FaceTime call, create a separate email address to use as your caller ID.

How to FaceTime with Android and Windows Users

You can join a FaceTime link using the browser installed on your Android device or through Microsoft Edge installed on your Windows device. So, if you want to test FaceTime on Chrome or Edge browser, the following sequence will help you create a link to a FaceTime meeting on your Apple device:

• Click the invite link to open facetime.apple.com in Google Chrome.
• Enter your name and select “Continue”on Android or Windows. A variety of options will appear on your display.
• Select join on the toolbar
• You will be taken to a waiting room with a request sent to the Apple user who created the link. Ask the owner to let you in
• Click “Allow”to give Google Chrome access to your microphone and camera.
• Now you can start a video conference
• If you want to end the video call, tap “Leave Call”to end the call.

How to remove a FaceTime link?

Your FaceTime link can only be removed manually as follows:

• Swipe left on the scheduled FaceTime link or press i and the delete option will appear.
• Click “Remove”and confirm by clicking “Remove Link”.
• This will deactivate the link you have shared with anyone.

What can I do during a FaceTime call online?

During a FaceTime call, you can do many things similar to what a host can do through the FaceTime app:

• Flip camera: You can switch the display to front or rear camera by clicking the flip camera option.
• Use Full Screen Mode: You can use full screen mode for FaceTime using the Full Screen button.
• Turn the camera on and off. You can turn the camera on or off by simply pressing the camera button.
• Mute/Unmute Microphone: You can mute or unmute the microphone with the microphone button.
• View participants in a FaceTime group call: You can view the participants in a group call in a grid. To turn on the grid, select Participant List > Settings menu button > Grid button. Select it again to disable the grid.
• Toolbar options. When you sign in, you’ll see several toolbar options through which you can use full screen mode, mute or unmute your microphone, and show or hide your video. Be sure to turn on the microphone and open the video so other participants can hear and see you.

Is it safe to use FaceTime on my Android or Windows device?

Apple designed Facetime with maximum security features such as end-to-end encryption.

According to the company, all data is encrypted in the form of a lock, the key of which is only on the other device. Even they cannot access the data.

But do you trust these companies? In January 2019, CNBC reported that a bug allows you to hear audio even if the other person hasn’t answered the call. Quite an awkward moment for a company that promises to put your safety first.

In my opinion, Apple provides maximum security for Facetime.

Is FaceTime better than other video chat apps?

Each cloud video conferencing platform has its own pros and cons, so none of them can be the clear winner among all. Demand for each platform has skyrocketed globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a table that compares different video chat apps:

How popular is FaceTime?

Facetime is only a small part of the video conferencing industry. FaceTime’s popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s not close to market competition. The graph below compares different video conferencing applications:

How to use Facetime on Mac?

Facetime has not always been available on Mac devices. Make sure you have the latest version of macOS and follow these steps to start calling:

• Press Command + Spacebar and type FaceTime.
• Click “Enable”to enable the Facetime service.
• Open the Facetime app and sign in with your Apple ID.
• Create a new group call to enjoy chatting with friends and family

How can I add FaceTime bookmarks to Google Chrome on my PC?

If you frequently use the FaceTime link over and over again, you can bookmark it instead of browsing through old chats or emails and wasting your time. A link, once created, works for quite some time, so it is advisable to bookmark this link. This is the sequence to bookmark a FaceTime link:

• Open Google Chrome and paste the FaceTime link you want to bookmark.
• Click the star icon in the upper right corner and add a bookmark. (In the case of Microsoft Edge, click Add to Favorites)
• Options to customize your bookmark will appear. Once completed, click “Finish”

Conclusion

Apple is finally taking things to the next level by increasing compatibility with third party devices. While you still can’t enjoy the benefits of Apple devices on Facetime, it’s certainly a good start.

Now you can join video conferences and make your voice heard, even if you’re not an Apple user. Facetime on Apple devices has also changed. It now offers new features such as portrait video calls and clear, crisp audio.

I’m sure Facetime features will be expanded soon and we’ll enter a much fairer world – better late than never!