FaceTime

You can control how FaceTime handles calls from unknown numbers and suspected spam. You can screen unknown FaceTime audio calls to get more information from callers, or silence unknown callers so their calls go to voicemail. Missed calls from unknown numbers and spam calls can also be filtered into their own lists.

Screen unknown FaceTime audio calls

By screening FaceTime audio calls from unknown numbers, you get more information from callers before the call comes through. Read our article, Screen and block calls.

Silence or filter FaceTime calls

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, then tap FaceTime.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Silence unknown callers: Turn on Silence Unknown Callers. Calls from unknown numbers are silenced, sent to voicemail, and displayed on the Recents list. Incoming calls will continue to ring from people in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, and Siri Suggestions.
   • Filter calls from unknown numbers: Turn on Unknown Callers. Missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers are moved to the Unknown Callers list in your call history (tap the Filter button to see the list).
   • Filter calls identified as spam: Turn on FaceTime Spam. Spam calls are silenced and moved to the Spam list in your call history (tap the Filter button to see the list).

See also

• Block a FaceTime call and report it as spam on iPad

Spatial Audio in the FaceTime app makes it sound like your friends are in the room with you. Their voices are spread out and sound like they’re coming from the direction in which each person is positioned on the screen.

You can also adjust other audio settings during a call. Voice Isolation filters out background sounds, Wide Spectrum includes the sounds around you, and you can mute your mic. Spatial Audio works with AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max on supported iPad models.

Note: Spatial Audio is available on supported iPad models and works with the following AirPods models: AirPods 3, AirPods Pro (all models), and AirPods Max.

Filter out background sounds

Voice Isolation (available on supported models) prioritizes your voice in a FaceTime call and blocks out ambient noise, so you’re heard clearly while other sounds get filtered out.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
2. Tap FaceTime and select Voice Isolation.

Include the sounds around you

To have your voice and all the sounds around you come through in a FaceTime call, turn on Wide Spectrum (available on supported models).

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
2. Tap FaceTime, then select Wide Spectrum.

Adjust audio automatically

To have your audio settings adjusted automatically, choose Automatic.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
2. Tap FaceTime, then select Automatic.

Mute the mic

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible).
2. Tap the Microphone Switch button.

   Tap the Microphone Switch button to turn the mic back on.

When your mic is muted, it detects whether you’re speaking, and you’re notified that your mic is muted and that you can tap the Microphone Switch button to unmute it.

See also

• Change FaceTime video settings on iPad

When you’re on a video call in the FaceTime app, you can take a FaceTime Live Photo to capture a moment of your conversation (not available in all countries or regions). The camera captures what happens just before and after you take the photo, including the audio, so you can see and hear it later just the way it happened.

You can take one during a one-to-one call or a Group FaceTime call, as long as FaceTime Live Photos is on.

To take a FaceTime Live Photo, first make sure FaceTime Live Photos is turned on in Settings > Apps > FaceTime, then do one of the following:

• During a one-to-one FaceTime call: Tap the Take Picture button.
• During a Group FaceTime call: Tap the tile of the person you want to take a picture of, then tap the Take Picture button.

The Live Photo is saved in your Photos app, and you both get a notification that the photo was taken.

See also

• Browse your photo library on iPad
• Use video conferencing features on iPad

In FaceTime, you can create a link to a FaceTime call and send the link to a friend or a group (using Mail or Messages). They can use the link to join or start a call, and you can even put a FaceTime link in a Calendar event to schedule a video meeting.

You can even invite people who don’t have an Apple device, as long as they’re using the latest version of Chrome or Edge, and they don’t need to log in.

1. Go to the FaceTime app on your iPad.
2. Tap New. Enter the contact information for one or more people.
3. Tap the Link button.
4. Choose an option for sending the link (for example, Messages or Mail).

In Calendar, you can schedule a remote video meeting by inserting a FaceTime link as the location of the meeting.

Note: Anyone can join you in a FaceTime call, even without an Apple device, if they have the latest version of Chrome or Edge. From their browser, they can join one-to-one and Group FaceTime calls without logging in, and sending video requires H.264 video encoding support.

See also

• Get started with Calendar on iPad
• Take a Live Photo during a FaceTime call on iPad

During video calls in the FaceTime app, you can become your favorite Memoji.

On an iPad with a TrueDepth camera, your Memoji does the talking while the other caller hears your voice. iPad captures your movements, facial expressions, and voice, then conveys them through your character. You can also use a filter to change your appearance, and add a text label, stickers, or shapes.

Here’s how to change your appearance in a FaceTime call on iPad.

Become a Memoji

If your iPad has a TrueDepth camera, you can create a Memoji character in the Messages app for your FaceTime calls. As iPad captures your movements, facial expressions, and voice, your character conveys them. It imitates you even when you stick out your tongue.

To make your own Memoji, check out our guide, Create and send Memoji.

1. During a video call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile.
2. Tap Memoji, swipe through the characters at the bottom, and choose the one you like.

   The other caller hears what you say, but sees your Memoji doing the talking.

Use a filter to change your appearance

1. During a video call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile and tap the Effects button (supported models).
2. Tap the Filters button to open the filters.
3. Change your appearance by tapping a filter at the bottom (swipe left or right to preview them).

Add a text label

1. During a video call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen and tap the Effects button.
2. Tap the Text button, then tap a text label.

   To see more label options, swipe up from the top of the text window.

3. While the label is selected, type the text you want to appear in the label. Then tap away from it.
4. Drag the label where you want to place it.

   To delete the label, tap it, then tap the Done Editing button.

Add stickers

1. During a video call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen, tap the Effects button, and do any of the following:
   • Tap the Memoji Stickers button to add a Memoji sticker or the Emoji Stickers button to add an Emoji sticker.
   • Tap the Text button, swipe up, then tap the Emoji button.
2. Tap a sticker to add it to the call.

   To see more options, swipe left.

3. Drag the sticker to place it where you want.

   To delete the sticker, tap it, then tap the Done Editing button.

Add shapes

1. During a video call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile and tap the Effects button.
2. Tap the Shapes button and then tap a shape to add it to the call.

   To see more options, swipe up from the top of the shapes window.

3. Drag the shape where you want to place it.

   To delete the shape, tap it, then tap the Done Editing button.

See also

• Change FaceTime video settings on iPad
• Leave a FaceTime call or switch to Messages on iPad

You can leave a call in the FaceTime app at any time, or continue your conversation in Messages. Mid-call, you can jump to one Messages thread with everyone who’s on the call.

Here’s how to leave a FaceTime call or switch to Messages on iPad.

Leave a FaceTime call

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible).
2. Tap the End button.

Switch to a Messages conversation

During a call, you can jump straight to a Messages thread with everyone on the call.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible).
2. Tap the contact information or people count at the top of the controls and then tap Message.

See also

• Make a Group FaceTime call on iPad
• Block a FaceTime call and report it as spam on iPad

During a call in the FaceTime app, your video settings let you turn Portrait mode, Studio Light, and Center Stage on or off, switch between cameras, or turn your camera on or off.

Portrait mode blurs the background and puts the visual focus on you, while Studio Light dims the background and illuminates your face. Both are available on supported models, and you can adjust the amount of background blur or the intensity of light, too. You’ll also be able to switch to the rear camera.

Blur the background with Portrait mode

Turn on Portrait mode on supported models, and it automatically blurs the background and puts the visual focus on you, much like Portrait mode in Camera.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile. When you’re on a call in a third-party videoconferencing video app, open Control Center. Then tap the name of the app.
2. Tap Portrait.

   To turn Portrait mode off, tap the button again.

To adjust the amount of background blur in Portrait mode, open Control Center, tap FaceTime (or the name of the third-party videoconferencing app), then use the Portrait slider.

Highlight your face

Studio Light, on supported models, dims the background and lights up your face.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile. When you’re on a call in a third-party videoconferencing video app, open Control Center. Then tap the name of the app.
2. Tap Studio Light.

   To turn Studio Light mode off, tap the button again.

To adjust the intensity of light in Studio Light mode, open Control Center, tap FaceTime (or the name of the third-party videoconferencing app), then use the Studio Light slider.

Turn Center Stage off or on

With Center Stage on supported models, your front camera adjusts automatically to keep you in frame as you move around within the field of view during a FaceTime call.

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile. When you’re on a call in a third-party videoconferencing video app, open Control Center. Then tap the name of the app.
2. Center Stage is on by default. Tap Center Stage to turn it off.

   To turn Center Stage on, tap it again.

On some iPad models, the Center Stage button appears in your tile. To turn on Center Stage, you can tap your tile, then tap the Center Stage button.

Switch to the rear camera

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap your tile.
2. Tap Flip.

To switch back to the front camera, tap Flip again.

Note: With the rear camera, tapping 1x enlarges the image, and tapping it again brings the image back to normal size.

Turn off your camera

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible).
2. Tap the Camera Switch button.

   Tap the Camera Switch button to turn the camera back on.

See also

• Use video conferencing features on iPad
• Change FaceTime audio settings on iPad

During a one-to-one FaceTime video or audio call, you can remotely control another participant’s screen or allow them to remotely control yours. The person controlling the screen can help with an issue or demonstrate how to use an app.

Both of you need iPadOS 18, iOS 18, or later. If the other person accepts your request, you can interact with their shared screen and even use the onscreen keyboard within apps. Either of you can decline a request.

Note: Remote control isn’t currently available in the European Union.

Request remote control

You can request control of an iPad or iPhone screen someone is sharing with you.

Note: You and the other participant must both have iPadOS 18, iOS 18, or later.

1. Go to the FaceTime app on your iPad.
2. Tap the window showing the shared screen.
3. Tap the Remote Control button.

   If the other participant accepts your request, you can tap or swipe to interact with the shared screen. You can also use the onscreen keyboard within apps.

Accept a remote control request

Participants saved in your contacts can remotely control your screen if they’re using an iPad or iPhone with iPadOS 18, iOS 18, or later. To help protect your data and privacy, remote control requests may come with additional restrictions.

When you receive a remote control request notification in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap Allow.

WARNING: The person remotely controlling the screen can perform actions on your iPad such as opening and closing apps, changing settings, deleting items, or sending messages. Only approve remote control requests from people you trust.

Making payments, erasing your device, or changing your Apple Account or Face ID settings may be off-limits to the person remotely controlling the screen. During a remote control session, your Face ID and Touch ID are disabled.

You can still tap, swipe, or type while your screen is remotely controlled—your actions take priority over remote actions.

Decline a remote control request

When you receive a remote control request notification while sharing your screen in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap Don’t Allow. Screen sharing continues, and the other participant can still tap, draw, or write on your screen to highlight important areas.

Stop remote control

Do one of the following to end remote control at any time:

• If you’re allowing someone to control your screen: Tap Stop at the top right of the screen sharing window.
• If you’re controlling someone else’s screen: Tap the Remote Control button.

Remote control and screen sharing also end when a FaceTime call ends.

According to Apple, remote control isn’t available in all countries or regions.

See also

• Share your screen in a FaceTime call on iPad
• Collaborate on projects with Messages on iPad
• Use video conferencing features on iPad

In the FaceTime app (on a device that meets the minimum system requirements), you can share your screen to bring apps, webpages, and more into the conversation. A countdown appears before sharing begins, and during a one-to-one call, the other person can draw on your screen to point something out. Ending the call ends screen sharing, too.

Note: FaceTime, FaceTime audio, Group FaceTime, some FaceTime features, and other Apple features or services may not be available in all countries or regions.

Share your screen in a FaceTime call

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible). Then tap the More button.
2. Tap Screen Sharing, then tap Share My Screen.

   A countdown from 3 to 1 appears at the bottom of the screen before screen sharing begins.

Quick tip: On a one-to-one FaceTime call, someone with an iPhone or iPad is able to tap, draw, or write on your screen to show you a specific area. Whatever they add (a circle, drawing, or writing) disappears after a few seconds. For more help, you can also let the other participant control your screen.

To stop sharing your screen, tap the More button, then tap Stop next to Screen Sharing. Ending a FaceTime call also ends screen sharing.

Ask someone to share their screen

1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible). Then tap the More button.
2. Tap Screen Sharing and then tap Ask to Share Screen.

See also

• Request or give remote control in a FaceTime call on iPad
• Collaborate on projects with Messages on iPad
• Use video conferencing features on iPad