FaceTime - how to use the program and what it is. How to enable FaceTime - step by step instructions

Hello, dear readers! I think quite a large number of you use video calls in your daily life. And I am sure that the overwhelming number of calls are made using the well-known Skype service. But today I will tell you about a slightly different service with almost the same functionality, but this service was made by all of us, our beloved company Apple. I'm talking about FaceTime. Let's talk about him!

As you all know, Apple positions this service as the only possible service for video calls. And they were right in some ways until a certain time, because Skype for mobile platforms was released relatively recently and now FaceTime needs to prove itself more interesting than its competitor. And they succeed, but for some reason the service is very popular in the West and most of Europe, but not here. The service is very interesting, but contains some shortcomings.

So, as I mentioned above, FaceTime is essentially Apple's Skype. But it’s just very simplified. How to use it? After all, on the main screen of your device you will not find a separate program called FaceTime - it is, so to speak, “hidden” in the system and finding it, at first glance, is not so easy, but only at first.

How to enable FaceTime

In order to use the service, you need to do the following:

After this, FaceTime needs to be activated via the Internet, and also, quite possibly, sent an SMS (I will mention this at the end). Activation will take place after you click on the “Use this Apple ID with FaceTime” button.

How to use FaceTime

In order to make a call using FaceTime, simply turn on the mobile Internet (or connect to WiFi), then call the subscriber and click on the FaceTime icon in the conversation settings. After pressing it, the person you are calling will be asked to switch to video call mode; if he agrees, you will start a video conversation; if he refuses, the conversation will simply disconnect.

You can also call a subscriber by going into your correspondence with him in messages or viewing the subscriber’s contact information.

That's all the wisdom!

Also, finally, I would like to talk about one “pitfall” that awaits users when activating facetime. This thing is connected with the fact that the FaceTime service sends SMS, and even to the UK. Confirmation of this has recently appeared online. The network also recommends going into the settings and disabling the possibility of spontaneous program actions. But in essence this is not entirely true - no such settings exist.

Yes, the program sends SMS, but only to activate this same FaceTime and will not send anything else. The price of SMS varies and depends, oddly enough, on the iPhone model. Each model has a dedicated number to which the service sends SMS to activate the service and send general usage statistics that Apple collects. So be prepared for this.

Activating FaceTime and how to change your phone number in FaceTime

If you activated your iPhone with someone else's SIM card and then installed your own. It is very likely that the same phone will remain in the FaceTime service. You can correct the situation by resetting all phone settings “Settings” - “General” - “Reset” - “Reset all settings”. Then go to the "FaceTime" settings and turn it on again. FaceTime will ask for a new activation, click OK. After activation, your valid phone number should appear.

No Face Time - how to install

If you cannot find the Face Time program on your device:

1. Face Time may not appear on iPhones and iPads purchased or used in the UAE, Pakistan, or Saudi Arabia. With iOS 11.3 and later, FaceTime is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in Saudi Arabia.
2. If you are sure that the phone was not purchased in Asia, then go to "Settings" -> "Screen Time" -> "Content and Privacy Restrictions" -> "Allowed Programs" and make sure that the FaceTime and "Camera" options are are turned on. If Screen Time is turned on for your camera, you won't be able to use FaceTime.
3. An even easier way is to search for FaceTime in Spotlight or using Siri. If FaceTime was removed from the Home screen, you will need to restore it.
4. If the above methods do not help, update iOS to the latest version.

The FaceTime application allows owners of Apple mobile and computer equipment to make voice and video calls among themselves, and completely free of charge. And its main feature is excellent sound quality and transmitted images. Let's figure it out how to call via Face Time from iPhone to iPhone.

Making a call

The first step is to activate the service on your smartphone. To do this, go to the iOS settings, to the FaceTime tab. Open the "Your Apple ID..." item and log in using your own ID (this is the same as an account in the App Store or iTunes).

Next, activate the checkbox next to FaceTime. Then you should see the message “Waiting for activation”. Wait until the process completes. If necessary, fill out the information in the forms below.

During the call onFaceTime Don't forget about traffic consumption. If you have limited Internet or per-megabyte payment, then a long conversation can cost a pretty penny. In this case, it is better to call the subscriber via voice communication, without video transmission.

Making calls is quite convenient through the Phone application. Find the desired contact in your device's address book and open it. There are two icons in the FaceTime column: camera and handset. The first one is responsible for the video call, and the second one is responsible for the voice call.

But starting this method is only suitable for cases when you plan to dial someone from your contact list. But in Face Time this is not necessary. If you open the corresponding application on the iPhone, you will be able to make a call knowing only the mobile number or email of the interlocutor. In this case, you do not have to add it to the device’s phone book. In the future, repeating the call will come out of the “Recent” section.

Transferring a regular call to FaceTime

On iPhone, it is possible to transfer a regular telephone conversation to FaceTime. To do this, call another iPhone through the calling application. Just above the red “Hang up” button you will find the desired item. When you press it, the conversation will switch accordingly.

FaceTime is a great way to stay connected for free. Therefore, if problems arise with the service, many users immediately begin to look for an answer to the question of why Face Time does not work on iPhone.

Turn on Face Time

To use FaceTime, you must turn it on and activate it. To do this:

To use FaceTime to make a call, open the Phone app and look for the icons in your contact's details.

You can call from the standard FaceTime application: you just need to enter the name and number manually or select from your contacts list.

FaceTime doesn't work

If, after turning on FaceTime, you cannot make a call through it, then first of all make sure that you have a stable Internet connection via Wi-Fi. Other software reasons for service failures include:

• Disable FaceTime in Settings.
• Error in network settings.
• Problems with Internet access.
• Using an old version of iOS.

Check that FaceTime is enabled and activated in iOS settings. If the system has not been updated for a long time, you should install the available updates. If you experience problems on the latest supported version of iOS, reset your network settings:

1. Open settings.
2. Go to the "Basic" section.
3. Click on "Reset".
4. Select Reset Network Settings.

If the cause of the failure was connection errors, then resetting will help eliminate them. However, in addition to software reasons, there may also be hardware problems that can only be fixed at a service center:

• Malfunctions of the built-in modem.
• Damage to contacts.
• Failure of communication modules.

Technical problems can also arise on the side of the device responsible for Internet access - the router that distributes Wi-Fi. Perhaps there is a restriction on Internet access in its settings, which prevents you from connecting to the FaceTime server.

Can't make or receive a call

Problems using FaceTime may occur for the following reasons:

• The service and audio call are not available in your country or are not supported by your carrier.
• The service does not support call forwarding.
• You are trying to switch from FaceTime to an audio or regular call.

Sometimes, to work normally with Face Time, you have to change your SIM card and even your operator. Check with your provider to see if they support the service.

Waiting for activation

If none of the reasons listed above describe your situation, try the following:

Follow these steps sequentially to successfully complete the process of activating the service on your device.

There is no FaceTime on iPhone

We figured out why Face Time doesn’t work on iPhone, but what should users do if they can’t find such an application on their smartphone at all? The service may be unavailable for three reasons:

• The application has been removed.
• There are restrictions on its operation in the settings.
• The iPhone was purchased in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or the UAE, where the service does not work.

If the third option is definitely not your case, then check the list of restrictions. Go to the settings and in the “General” section, click on the “Restrictions” item. Make sure there is no restriction on the program.

If the application has been deleted, you can restore it by downloading it again from the App Store. Once installed, the iOS main menu will provide all the necessary options to enable and activate FaceTime, so all you have to do is set it up.

FaceTime is a popular program that is developed by Apple and provides limitless communication possibilities. It is imperative to understand the nuances of using this application and, of course, at the very beginning you need to find out how to enable FaceTime.

What devices is FaceTime available for?

Before you start using the program, you need to make sure that it can actually be used. Only if your device supports the program, you can think about enabling it. In this case, a wi-fi network is required, which should provide the possibility of stable use of high-speed Internet. So, what devices is FaceTime available for?

• iPhone from 4th generation.
• iPad from 2nd generation.
• iPad mini.
• Audio calling is available on current generations of iPod touch (from the fourth generation).

Apple is committed to improving the app FaceTime and their own equipment, so the latest models do not even assume the need to use wi-fi. It should be noted that FaceTime may not be available for connection on devices purchased in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Connect and use FaceTime

Now is the time to finally enable FaceTime. In fact, this process does not require much effort and time. First of all, you must open the program and enter it, providing current personal data. You will need your Apple ID to sign in. Information can be reported in the Settings menu. The mobile phone number will be registered automatically.

It also doesn't take much time to register your email address. You must go through the following circuit: Settings – FaceTime – Apple ID – sign in.

It is imperative that you understand how to make calls using a modern program.

• You open the program.
• Enter your mobile phone number, email address or subscriber name. Sometimes this information may already be stored in the device's address book.
• Click on the special sign. You can decide whether you want a video or audio call.

If necessary, you can use the new feature, which is call waiting. This allows you to avoid unwanted overlaps in communication and inform the user that you are currently communicating with another person.

The Internet gives people unprecedented opportunities. Today, more than ever, we can turn to the Internet for any information and instantly receive it: in the hands of humanity, the world's largest collection of music, films and books. We are always up to date with the latest developments and store documents in the form of computer files. But, most importantly, the Internet erases boundaries and distances between people, allowing you to communicate online, regardless of location, which is why messengers and VoIP call services, such as Skype or Face Time, are so popular on the Internet.

"Face Time": what is it?

“Face Time” is a technology that allows you to establish video or audio communication between electronic devices that support it (meaning Apple gadgets).

The technology was first demonstrated during the presentation of the fourth generation iPhone. Right on stage, he showed how video chat works using the front and main cameras of the phone. At the same time, Steve said about Face Time that it was the highest quality and safest way to contact family and friends. Subsequently, this technology migrated to other company devices, including iPads of the second generation and older, Mac computers with a FaceTime camera installed, and players

The peculiarity of this service is unprecedented audio.

Initially, this service only allowed calls using Wi-Fi, which was extremely negatively received by the public, given the fact that 3G coverage was developed at the time of launch. Later, in 2012, at the presentation of the fifth generation iPhone, Apple announced that Face Time would work via the mobile Internet.

Another important moment in the development of technology was the appearance of audio calls, presented in 2013 along with iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks.

How to set up Face Time?

You must have an iCloud account to use this service. To create it, you just need to register an Apple ID, which all users without exception do to activate the device. You can create an account in iTunes or when you turn on the gadget for the first time.

Creating an account is enough to enable FaceTime in the future. On iOS, the setup process includes one more step. How to set up Face Time on iPhone? This service must be activated on your phone. To do this, go to “Settings” > FaceTime and turn on the enable toggle switch.

To establish a connection with a specific subscriber, you need to know his phone number (if one is attached) or Apple ID. “Face Time” also pulls up data from your address book: those users who are already using “Face Time” will appear in the corresponding application and will be available for calls.

Possibilities

At the moment, the service allows you to establish a connection between two devices using Wi-Fi, as well as 3G and LTE networks.

Face Time uses H264 and AAC (Apple Audio Codec) standards to ensure better communication quality, as well as RTP and SRTP methods to ensure maximum security for users.

The service operates free of charge, and clients only pay for Internet traffic.

Restrictions

Unfortunately, as is often the case with Apple, this technology has a number of limitations. These include:

• A maximum of two devices can participate in a conversation.
• Long connection times (planned to be fixed in 2016).
• Can't switch from video to audio call.
• Ban on use in a number of countries (Russia is not one of them).

Because of these shortcomings, one can often hear criticism of Face Time that it is just a pathetic copy of Skype. However, many users do not take into account the high quality of communication and full encryption, which is not available in most other services.

Instead of a conclusion

Now the reader has become aware of another useful and convenient service from Apple. After reading this material, there should be no questions left regarding Face Time: what it is, how to set up the service and how to use it. This means it’s time to move from theory to practice and call someone close to you right now, because it’s completely free.