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Can You FaceTime On Android? The Answer May Surprise You.

Can you FaceTime on an Android phone? Most people would be inclined to answer "No" to the this question. After all, FaceTime is a feature that is purpose-built for the Apple ecosystem, so how on earth can an Android user participate in a FaceTime call.

Well, you'd be surprised. At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) three years ago, Apple made an announcement that shocked the masses.

In WWDC 2021, Apple announced that Android users will have the option to participate in a FaceTime call, but there is a catch. While they can join a FaceTime session, they can't launch one. An iPhone user would need to send the Android participant a link, allowing them to join the call.

For example, on my M2 15-inch MacBook Air, I can tap on the FaceTime app and hit "Create link."

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I can then send that link to an Android user, which sends them to a page that prompts them to add their name before hitting "Continue."

FaceTime on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Android). Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

They may be asked for permission to access the camera and microphone; make sure they click "Allow."

Permissions for FaceTime on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (Android). Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Finally, they can hit "Join."

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the iPhone users' side, they'll get a notification to let the Android user into the FaceTime session. And just like that, Android users can participate in a FaceTime call.

So to answer the "Can you FaceTime on an Android?" question, the answer is "kind of." Yes, you can FaceTime on an Android, but no, you can't launch any FaceTime calls on a non-iOS phone.

10 Best Alternatives To FaceTime On Android

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Looking for a way to get FaceTime for Android? Unfortunately, no such luck as Apple's popular video chatting app is only for iOS devices. One of the more difficult tasks when moving from iOS to Android is finding a replacement for the ubiquitous FaceTime.

What makes it tough is that FaceTime is pretty good, and it's so synonymous with the iOS experience that it's become a verb. There are a ton of video chatting apps on Android, but none of them have that level of ubiquity. Luckily, some still work very well and compete on a feature-by-feature basis. Here is our list of the best alternatives to FaceTime on Android.

The best alternatives to FaceTime on Android Facebook Messenger

Price: Free

Facebook Messenger is probably the easiest alternative to FaceTime on Android. Many people use Facebook, including most people you know (probably). That means that you can do video calls with people without having to talk many people into using a brand-new service. The app itself is functional, even if it is bloated and annoying. It also works cross-platform, so your iOS, Android, and computer-toting friends can join the fun. We wish Facebook would work on making the app a little less horrible, though. Messenger Lite recently got video chat support. We recommend trying out the Lite version first.

Google Meet, a premier video calling app for Android, offers a fun, high-quality way to connect globally with friends, family, and colleagues. With over 5 billion downloads on the Google Play Store, it's favored for its ease of use and Google's backing. Users can easily start calls, add contacts, and schedule meetings using their Google account. The app supports virtual backgrounds, effects, and up to 100 participants per call. It also features a collaboration tool similar to FaceTime's SharePlay, enabling shared experiences like co-watching and listening during calls, making it a comprehensive solution for video communication needs.

Tango, launched in 2009 focusing on Android, offers a robust FaceTime alternative. It excels in hardware optimization, providing smooth user experiences and high-quality calls. Users can make voice and video calls, send texts, and share images over Wi-Fi, bypassing the need for a cellular connection. With over 200 million users, connecting with friends for free is easy. Tango also encourages new user sign-ups through texts and emails. Unlike other platforms, it supports only one-on-one video chats. Beyond communication, Tango is a social network featuring public profiles, news feeds, games, stickers, and more for an enriched interaction experience.

JusTalk

Price: Free with in-app purchases

JusTalk is a surprisingly good video chatting service. It boasts decent-quality video on every kind of connection except for 2G. It also allows you to do things like doodling on the screen while you chat, image sharing, and even theming. It also boasts cross-platform support to get your iOS friends in on it. Don't let the price fool you. This app is free to use. The in-app purchases are for things like themes and other customization features. They are optional. It's a great alternative to FaceTime on Android.

Signal Private Messenger

Price: Free

Signal Private Messenger is an excellent FaceTime alternative for privacy seekers. It features a bunch of stuff, including group chats, video calls, voice calls, and end-to-end encryption for security. The clarity of the video and voice call is good and works quite simply. Telegram would be another excellent option here, but they seem to support video messages only now. In any case, Signal Private Messenger is free, open-source, secure, and one of the better FaceTime alternatives. However, its privacy is its biggest feature. Those who want something a little more fun may want to look elsewhere.

Skype

Price: Free / Varies

Skype is the original FaceTime. It's also one of the best alternatives to it. On top of its excellent cross-platform support (including a native app on some Linux distros), Skype is renowned for its stability, popularity, and many features. You can also text and voice call your Skype contacts entirely free, with an option to buy minutes to call actual phone numbers. You can video with up to ten people if you want to. The only downside is that the official app is a little buggy. It always has been. However, it does work well enough to be a positive experience most of the time. It's a perfectly acceptable alternative to FaceTime on Android.

Importantly, Skype won't be around for much longer. Microsoft will shutter the service in August 2025 and direct people towards Teams. Enjoy it while it's here.

Snapchat is an odd messaging app but one of the most popular. It uses photo chatting instead of traditional text chatting. However, text, voice, and video chats (with up to 16 people) are also available in the app. The app is free, has neat AR functionality, and has self-destructive messages that are popular with most users.

Viber

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Viber is another application that's been around for a long time. It initially started as a calling app but has since graduated to a messaging client and a place where you can make free video calls. The app boasts over 600 million users worldwide. That's pretty impressive. There is also a social feature that lets you check the latest happenings worldwide. It even has Android Wear support. Like others, the in-app purchases are optional and mainly for things like stickers. It's a solid and underrated alternative to FaceTime on Android.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services out there. It's an entirely free service that allows you to text chat, voice call, and video call your friends. It's cross-platform with virtually everything, so it doesn't matter what your friends have. Additionally, you can send all kinds of stuff. The chats are encrypted, which is positive for the security conscious. It's an obvious choice, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the best alternatives to FaceTime on Android.

Zoom

Price: Free / Varies

Zoom is not an alternative to FaceTim but is a decent, cross-platform video chat app. It promotes itself as a business or education platform, but anybody can use it. It supports video chats with up to 100 participants and also includes encryption, screen sharing, and all kinds of other features. For one-on-one conversations, you definitely want something like Google Duo or Facebook Messenger. However, those who want the ability to scale up should consider this one.

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Screen Sharing? Talk On Android? 14 Easy FaceTime Tips For Your Next Video Chat

With FaceTime, there's more to it than just the call itself. You can hand off a chat from one device to another, leave video messages, create emoji reactions, enable live captions, and use SharePlay to enjoy the same media together. You're also not limited to just Apple devices. Ready to get started? Here are 14 ways to help you get the most out of Apple's video-conferencing app.

1. Add People to an Existing Call

Already in a meeting? You can invite people to join your in-progress FaceTime call. While on a call, open to the screen that shows who is on the call, then tap the Info icon next to their name. Tap Add People and select one of the suggested contacts or type the name, number, or email of the person you want to call. Tap Add People, and the person should receive the call on their device, which they then answer to join.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

2. Call Someone on a Windows or Android Device

FaceTime is designed for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad, but you can also call someone who uses a Windows PC or Android device. Open the FaceTime app on your Apple device and select the Create Link button at the top. Select the Add Name option under FaceTime Link, type a name for the call, then select OK. Next, choose Message or Mail and type the person's name, email address, or phone number.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

Once your text or email is sent, the recipient can select the link for the call, sign in with their name, and then tap Join. You'll receive a notification that the other person is waiting. Tap Join on your end to start the call. Tap the Info icon for the call and then tap the checkmark to allow the other person to join.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

To send a link to a FaceTime call already in progress, tap the Info icon next to the name of a current participant. Select Add People, then type the name, email, or number of the Android or Windows user and hit the Invite button. Send your message or email; after the other person responds, allow them to join the call.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

3. Leave a Video Message for Unanswered Calls

In the past, if someone missed your FaceTime call, there was no way to leave them a message. However, with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 or higher, you can leave a video message that the other person can play. After your call goes unanswered, tap Record Video. Wait for the five-second countdown, then record the message and tap Stop. Play your message and retake it if you want to try again. Otherwise, tap the green arrow to send it. The other person can then view it from FaceTime.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

4. Hand Off a Call to Another Device

You can start or join a FaceTime call on one device and then segue to another. For example, you might start off on your iPhone and then decide to move to your iPad or Mac to get a larger screen. After the call has started, open FaceTime on the device to which you want to switch. Tap the camera icon at the top, confirm the names of the other people on the call, and then choose Switch. Once you join the call, tap Switch again to hang up the previous device and continue on the new device.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

5. Turn on Live Captions

Have trouble hearing people during a FaceTime call? Turn on live captions to see a transcription of the conversation in real time. During the call, tap the screen, select the Info icon next to the names of the other participants, and enable Live Captions. The live captions then start to appear on the left side of the screen.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

6. Choose a Virtual Background

One way to eliminate a messy background is to hide it with a virtual one. During the call, click the white camera icon on the top menu bar and select Background. Click the thumbnail and you can then select a color, a built-in image, or an image from your photo library. To turn off the background, click Background again. Note that this works only with a FaceTime call on a Mac.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

7. Filter Out Background Sounds

Are background noises intruding on your call? Filter them out. If it gets to loud on a call, swipe down from the top right of the screen to display Control Center, and tap FaceTime Controls. In the Audio & Video section, select one of the four microphone modes, depending on how you want to deal with background and ambient sounds:

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Automatic: Automatically uses the microphone mode that works best for your call. As an example, it might use Voice Isolation mode to filter out ambient noises when using the receiver but Standard mode when using the speakerphone.

Standard: Uses standard voice processing.

Voice Isolation: Prioritizes your voice and blocks ambient noises.

Wide Spectrum: Leaves ambient noises unfiltered.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

8. Use Portrait Mode

Portrait mode can be used to blur the background of your photos, so that your eyes better focus on the subject. You can do the same on a FaceTime call, which can also help hide a messy background. During the call, swipe down from the top to display Control Center, choose FaceTime Controls, and then tap Portrait. Tap the arrow next to the word Portrait and you can swipe the slider right and left to increase or decrease the amount of background blurriness.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

9. Change the Lighting

Not happy with the way you appear during a FaceTime call? Turn to the Studio Light feature to brighten your face and dim the background. Swipe down to display Control Center, tap FaceTime Controls, and then choose Studio Light. Tap the arrow next to the words Studio Light and swipe the slider right and left to vary the effect on your face and background.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

10. Convey Reactions Using Your Hands and Fingers

Instead of sending an emoji through text chat, you can convey a certain reaction using gestures. To set this up, you'll first need to open Control Center and tap FaceTime Controls > Reactions. During a call, you can then use your fingers to express certain emoji, and the symbols will appear on the screen.

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For example, a thumbs up will show a thumbs up emoji, while a thumbs down will show a thumbs down emoji. A double thumbs up will show fireworks. Make a heart with your hands to summon a red heart emoji. A victory/peace sign with your forefinger and middle finger will show balloons. Do it with both hands to make confetti appear. Make devil horns with your forefinger and pinky to shoot laser beams.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

11. Use Center Stage

Available for supported Macs and iPads, Center Stage tries to keep you centered on the screen as you move around. To enable this on an iPad, head to Control Center and tap FaceTime Controls > Center Stage. Now, when you move your head back and forth, the screen will adjust itself to keep you within the frame.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

12. Share Your Screen

You can show the other people on the call a specific app, window, or feature on your screen. Click or tap anywhere on the screen, select the Share button, and then select Share My Screen. At the top, click Share Entire Screen. Your screen is then visible for everyone else to see. To turn off sharing, click on the screen, select the Share button, and then select Stop Sharing from the pop-up window.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

13. Use Presenter Overlay to Stay on Top

If you're screen sharing but still want to keep yourself visible, turn on Presenter Overlay to keep your video on top of the content you're presenting. To set this up, you'll need a Mac with an M1 chip or higher and macOS 14 or higher. To get started, share your screen, then click the Share icon in the menu bar and select Presenter Overlay. Select Small to display your face in a bubble or Large to show yourself in full view with your shared screen in the background.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

14. Use SharePlay to Watch and Listen Together

You can use SharePlay during a FaceTime call to watch TV shows and movies, listen to music, and share other activities together. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Apps > FaceTime > SharePlay and turn on SharePlay from a mobile device, or open FaceTime > Preferences > SharePlay and check the SharePlay box on a Mac. For the full scoop on how to share content with others, check out our full guide to SharePlay.

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

About Lance Whitney

Contributor

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site's East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

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