FaceTime is one of the easiest ways to make a video call on an iPhone or Mac as long as the other people on the line also own Apple devices -- or so you might think. In fact, it turns out that FaceTime calls can be shared among non-Apple folks too, including your friends who use Android phones or Windows computers.
This capability, along with support for Rich Communication Services in iOS 18, dispels the idea that Apple's ecosystem is as closed as many people think. (RCS adoption doesn't mean the end of blue and green bubbles, though.) And unlike many competing video calling services, your friends don't need to download a separate app -- all they need is a compatible web browser.
But there is a catch: Android and PC owners can participate in FaceTime calls, but not initiate them. They need to first be invited by someone with an Apple device and then join using a special link.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to initiate FaceTime calls to Android users if you're an iPhone user, and how to receive FaceTime calls if you use an Android phone.
FaceTime: How to video chat on Android or a PC
As with any call, someone has to initiate it. And if you're on an Android phone or using a PC, that person is going to have to be someone with an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Here's how to initiate a FaceTime call on an iPhone or iPad:
- Open the FaceTime app.
- Tap Create Link. A screen slides up from the bottom that says FaceTime Link.
- Click Add Name to enter a name for your chat.
- On the same screen, choose an option to share the FaceTime link via Messages, Mail, Calendar or other installed apps. You can also tap Copy and then paste the link yourself in another app you're using, such as WhatsApp.
The process is nearly identical to generating a FaceTime video call link from a Mac.
First, create the FaceTime link on an Apple device (left) and then share it with an Android user, which they can then open in their web browser (right).
If you're on an Android phone, here's how to join a FaceTime call:
- Click the FaceTime call link sent by your Apple-using friend.
- The link opens in your browser -- you'll need the latest version of Chrome or Edge.
- Enter your name, and tap Continue.
- Tap Join.
- Wait for the host to let you in.
If you're on a PC, this process works the same as well.
To start a video call from Android, you'll need an alternative such as Google Meet, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. They remain great options for video calls between Android and iOS devices.