With an internet connection, you can make and receive calls in the FaceTime app, though you may need to set up FaceTime first.
There’s more than one way to start. You can make a FaceTime call from the app or start one from a Messages conversation, and you can view information when starting a FaceTime call. And if someone doesn’t answer, you can record a video message or leave a voicemail.
You can also make FaceTime calls over a cellular data connection. (Calling and data rates may apply.) To turn this feature off, go to the Settings app , tap Cellular, then turn off FaceTime below Cellular Data.
Note: FaceTime audio calls and Group FaceTime calls aren’t available in all countries or regions.
Make a FaceTime call
- Start the FaceTime app on your iPhone.
- Tap New Call.
- Enter the name, number, or email of the person you want to call. Alternatively, you can tap the Add Contact button to open Contacts and add people from there, or tap a suggested contact.
- Tap FaceTime to make a video call or the Audio Call button to make an audio call.
Quick tip: In some countries and regions, you can record a one-to-one FaceTime audio call and view the call transcript in Notes.
Siri: Ask Siri something like, “Call Eliza’s mobile.”
Quick tip: A FaceTime video call shows more when you rotate iPhone to landscape orientation.
View information when starting a FaceTime call
With Apple Intelligence, when you start a FaceTime call, a Call Context card with related information may appear. This can include an upcoming or recent birthday during a call to a contact, or it can include tickets, orders, or confirmation numbers during a call to certain businesses. Tap the card to view the information in the related app, such as Mail, Messages, or Wallet.
Note: Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.
Record a video message
If someone doesn’t answer your FaceTime video call, record a video message to get across exactly what you want to say.
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Tap Record Video, wait for the countdown (from 5 to 1). Record your message.
- Tap the Stop button to stop recording.
- Tap the Send button to send your recorded message, or tap Retake to rerecord the message. You can also tap Save to save the video message to Photos.
The recipient is notified after you send your video message.
Note: Video messages only come from saved contacts, people you’ve called, and people suggested by Siri.
Note: Only saved contacts, people you’ve called, and people suggested by Siri can send you video messages.
Leave a voicemail
If someone doesn’t answer your FaceTime audio call, and the person you’re calling has Live Voicemail turned on in Settings > Apps > Phone, you’re prompted to leave a voicemail.
Leave a voicemail, and your message is transcribed on their screen as you speak. That lets them know what you’re calling about, and it gives them a chance to pick up your call.
Call again
To call someone back in FaceTime, do either of the following:
- Tap Call Again on the Record Video screen.
- In your call history, tap the name or number of the person (or group) you want to call again, then tap the Call or Video button.
Start a FaceTime call from a Messages conversation
While chatting with someone in an iMessage conversation, you can start a FaceTime call with them.
- Tap the FaceTime button at the top right of the iMessage conversation.
- Do any of the following:
- Tap FaceTime Audio.
- Tap FaceTime Video.
Important: If you remove the FaceTime app from your iPhone, or if you removed FaceTime in an earlier version of iOS, you won’t be able to make or receive FaceTime calls or use SharePlay on your iPhone unless you redownload the app. Cellular calls won’t be relayed from your iPhone to your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch until FaceTime is reinstalled. Settings and contact cards won’t show FaceTime options. However, if your Apple Watch has its own SIM, it can still make calls through your service provider.
*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions.
Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts.
Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.
