How to Make FaceTime Conference Calls: Quick Start Guide

In this article, I’ll explain exactly how you can set up and make FaceTime conference calls (also called group calls) on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. A conference
call refers to an audio or video call in which 3 or more participants converse at the same time. And you can do this using your iPhone, iPad or Mac
without buying extra software or tools. It is pretty simple and straightforward.

FaceTime Conference Call Requirements

• You can conference call up to 31 people, 32 if you include yourself on FaceTime.
• All of the participants need to have an Apple device:
  • iPhone 6s or newer, iPad Pro or newer, iPad Air 2 or newer, iPad mini 4 or newer, iPad (5th generation) or newer, or iPod touch (7th generation) or newer,
    running iOS 12.1.4 or higher, or iPadOS. To check your software version and update your device, head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Mac computers running macOS Mojave 10.14.3 or higher. To check your macOS version, click the Apple menu and About This Mac.
• Obviously, all participants should have FaceTime on their devices. If you deleted the app, you canget it from the App Store.
• Other users including Android users, Windows users, etc cannot participate.

How to make FaceTime conference call on iPhone,iPad or iPod Touch

You can make FaceTime conference call in two ways :

• You can start a call from the FaceTime app.
• You can also start a call from the Messages app.

How to make FaceTime conference call using the FaceTime app

Here is how to make FaceTime conference call using the FaceTime app:

• Launch the FaceTime app.
• Tap the (+) add icon (located in the top-right-hand corner of the screen).
• This new screen will read “New FaceTime”. In the “To:” field, start typing the participants, you can enter names, numbers or emails. If you tap the
  (+) add icon in the “To:” field, you can add participants right from your contacts.
• As you type, iOS will provide you with a list of suggested participants. You will notice that some contacts will appear in blue while others will appear in gray. Only
  the blue contacts can be added. Blue contacts is an indication that their devices and software support conference FaceTime.
• As we’ve already pointed out, you can add up to 32 participants at a go.
• When you are finished adding participants, initiate the conference call by tapping either the audio or video button.

How to make FaceTime conference call using the Messages app

Here is how to make FaceTime conference call using messages app

• Launch the Messages app on your Apple device.
• Create a
  group message:
  • Tap the new message icon which is located in the upper right corner of the screen. Open an existing group conversation.
    New message
  • Type in participants in the “To:” field. You can also tap the add button to add participants right from your contact list.
• At the top of the conversation lists, you will see avatars, tap on it.
• And then tap the FaceTime icon.

How to answer a conference call

So someone has given you a FaceTime conference call. Here is how you can answer it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch:

• You will get a notification.
• Now, tap the notification to answer or decline a call.
• Also, you can join the call from the Messages app and FaceTime app.

How to make a FaceTime conference call on Mac

You can also start a conference FaceTime call on your Mac. Just like the iPhone and iPad, you can use the Messages app to start a call. You can
only use the FaceTime app to make the call. Here is how to make a FaceTime conference call on Mac:

• Launch the FaceTime app on your Mac.
• Type in the names, emails or numbers of people you want to call on the search field.
• You can add up to 32 participants.
• Finally, tap the Video or Audio button to start your FaceTime conference call.

Use Messages on your Mac

• On your Mac, launch the Messages app.
• Click on the group message.
• Now, click on Details.
• Finally, click the video or phone button to start your audio or video conference call.

How to answer a conference call on your Mac

So you’ve received a conference call on your Mac?

• You will get a notification.
• Use the notification to answer (or decline) the call.
• You can also answer a call in the Messages app.
• You can also answer in the FaceTime app.

FaceTime conference calls not working? fix:

• See this article if group FaceTime is not working.
• On your Apple device, ensure that you’ve enabled FaceTime. You can check this by heading over to Settings > FaceTime.
• Restart your Apple device.
• Ensure that your camera and microphone are working (Check out this article if your
  Mac’s microphone is not working).
• Ensure that your Apple device is running the latest software version:

iPhone or iPad: Head over to Settings > General > Software Update.

• macOS: Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Software Update.
• Make sure that your Apple device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Here is how you can troubleshoot your connection problems:
  • iPad Wi-Fi problems: fix.
  • iPhone Wi-Fi problems: fix.
  • Mac Wi-Fi problems: fix.
• Make sure that Date & Time settings are correct:
  • iPhone or iPad: Head over to Settings > General > Date & Time and then enable Set Automatically.
  • macOS: Click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences > Date & Time > and then check the “set date and time automatically” box. You will need to click the
    lock icon and type in your password for your changes to take effect.