This article describes basic troubleshooting tips for fixing FaceTime for Mac if it is not working properly. Via FaceTime, you place video calls or receive calls from other iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod), macOS, or OSX (Mac) users via WiFI or cellular networks. Group FaceTime Video only works for iPhone models iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or newer, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4 Video Group FaceTime is not available on these models: iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4 and 6th generation iPod Touch.
Back in June at WWDC, Apple introduced iOS 12 with a long-awaited Group FaceTime feature that's designed to let you chat with up to 32 people at one time using a unique tiled interface that's new to FaceTime. Apple ultimately removed Group FaceTime from the public iOS 12.0 release, but it's back in iOS 12.1, which was released on October 30 during Apple's New York event.
You both need a built-in or connected camera. If you want to make HD video calls you need a built-in FaceTime HD camera. https://tookeen900.weebly.com/best-dvd-software-for-mac.html. Most Macs will ship with a FaceTime camera, but if you have a Mac mini or a Mac Pro you may need to invest in a separate web cam. You need a connected microphone. It’s likely that there is one built into your Apple device.
Beyond the new iPad, MacBook Air and Mac Mini refresh, Apple also gave the world new emoji, the ability to do multi-person FaceTime video calling, and some cool photo tools in an update of iOS12. I just purchased a Mac Mini, the latest 2014 version. I am trying to use it for FaceTime. The mac Mini comes with an internal speaker, but does not seem to have a microphone and camera.
Group FaceTime is relatively easy to use, but it may not be immediately obvious how a call is initiated nor how all of the group chat options work, which is why we've taken an in-depth look at the new feature. To use Group FaceTime, all participants must have iOS 12 installed.
Placing a Call
There are two ways to initiate a Group FaceTime call, using the FaceTime app or the Messages app.
FaceTime App
- Open up the FaceTime app
- Tap on the '+' button in the upper right hand corner.
- In the 'To' field, type a name and tap it.
- Type another name.
- Continue typing in all of the names of the participants who you want to chat with.
- When ready to place the call, tap on either the audio or the video option and participants will receive a popup letting them know that you want to FaceTime with them.
Messages App
- Open up an existing multi-person conversation or create a new iMessage chat thread.
- At the top, where the names of the chat participants are listed, tap to bring up a menu bar.
- Choose the 'FaceTime' option to transition from a text-based conversation to a video or audio call.
The Messages FaceTime interface works with just one person or with a group of people, and it's perhaps the easiest way to initiate a multi-person FaceTime call.
Receiving an Incoming Call Request
When a Group FaceTime chat is initiated either via FaceTime or through the Messages app, you will get a notification letting you know that a FaceTime call is initiating, which you can tap to join.
Joining an Existing Group FaceTime Call
When you're in a group chat in the Messages app and someone initiates a Group FaceTime conversation, any person in the chat can join the call at anytime.
In the Messages interface, there's a chat popup that lets you know a call is ongoing, with a 'Join' button available and the number of people active in the conversation.
Joining a conversation is as simple as tapping that 'Join' button, which automatically adds you to the call. There's no approval interface, so be aware that if you're in the middle of a conversation, anyone from a group Messages chat can interrupt and join in.
While in a Group FaceTime call, you'll also see a chat bubble that lets you know how long the call has been going on.
Adding Another Person Through FaceTime
While in a FaceTime call, you can easily add another person to the chat.
- In an active call, tap on the icon that features three dots.
- Tap on 'Add Person.'
- Choose a name from the list to send them a notification to join in.
Leaving a Group FaceTime Call
As with a standard FaceTime call, exiting a Group FaceTime chat is as simple as tapping the big red 'X' button to end the chat.
Focusing on Chat Members
All Group FaceTime calls are displayed with a tiled interface that highlights the person who last spoke. If you have a call with multiple people, you'll see tiles of various sizes focusing on main participants, with those who haven't spoken recently minimized in small tiles.
You can double tap on any person's tile to make it the focal point in your FaceTime view, enlarging the tile to its biggest possible size. Tap again to go back to the standard tiled view.
Applying Effects
In addition to multi-person FaceTime calls, iOS 12 adds a new FaceTime effects camera that you can use while chatting. While in a FaceTime call, tap on the star-shaped icon to the left of the end call button to access options that include Animoji and Memoji, filters, stickers, shapes, and text.
Multiple effects can be applied at once, which are displayed to all chat participants. The people you're chatting with can also choose different effects to use, leading to chats filled with different Memoji and Animoji characters.
Memoji and Animoji are limited to devices with the TrueDepth camera system.
We did a detailed how-to on the Effects camera in the Messages app, and it's essentially the same for FaceTime, so make sure to check that out for additional details on how to use this new feature.
This how-to was last updated on October 31, 2018 to address Group FaceTime's reintroduction in iOS 12.1.
Related Roundup: iOS 12
Guides
Upcoming
Front Page Stories
Private Messaging Apps 'Scrambling' to Overhaul Software Following Apple Privacy Changes
Samsung Cancels Galaxy Fold Pre-Orders in the U.S., Offers $250 Credit as Compensation
2 hours ago on Front PageApple is 'Watching Cryptocurrency' and Wants to Do More With Tipping and Mobile IDs
4 hours ago on Front PageSonos Unveils Its First Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Supports AirPlay 2
5 hours ago on Front PageBloomberg: Apple Planning iPhone With Both Face ID and Touch ID Under Display by 2021
7 hours ago on Front PageSamsung Reveals New Launch Dates for Delayed Galaxy Fold
9 hours ago on Front PageApple's New Marunouchi Store Opening Saturday, September 7 in Tokyo
18 hours ago on Front PageFive Mac Apps Worth Checking Out - September 2019
22 hours ago on Front Page
• Hundreds of Millions of Phone Numbers From Facebook Accounts Leaked Online(154)
• Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available](175)
• New Apple TV With A12 Chip and 'One More Thing' Teased Ahead of Next Week's Apple Event(319)
• Apple's First New Low-Cost iPhone Since the iPhone SE Expected to Launch Early Next Year(255)
• Apple Nixes 'Bastards' TV Show Starring Richard Gere(147)
• iOS App 'UVLens' Apparently Hacked, Sends Out Very Inappropriate Notifications [Updated](83)
• Apple Watch Bands With Self-Tightening, Skin Texture Authentication, and LED Progress Bar Detailed in Patents(46)
Apple has published a list of Macs that support sending and receiving HD calls through its new FaceTime for Mac software, clarifying who can do what. The short version of Apple’s KnowledgeBase article is that as of this writing, only the MacBook Pro models announced earlier on Thursday can send a FaceTime HD call, but many Macs (see below) can receive them, and most Macs can send and receive standard definition FaceTime calls.
With FaceTime HD, you, too, can be this hotOn the sending end, Apple lists only the new MacBook Pro models announced earlier on Thursday. On the receiving end, the company lists all Mac Pros (with an HD camera), and recent MacBook an MacBook Pros, recent iMacs, and recent Mac minis (with an HD camera). https://tookeen900.weebly.com/game-controller-for-mac-best-buy.html.
Apple wrote that, “Macs with a built-in FaceTime HD camera are capable of sending call video in HD.” These include:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
Many Macs, however, can receive FaceTime HD calls., including:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
- MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010), or newer, with a 2.53 GHz or better processor
- iMac (20-inch and 24-inch, Early 2008), or newer, with a 2.4 GHz or better processor
- iMac (21.5-inch and 27-inch, Late 2009), or newer, with a 3.06 GHz or better processor
- Mac Pro (all models), with a compatible video camera Mac mini (Early 2009) or newer, with a 2.26 GHz or better processor and a compatible video camera
Facetime On Imac
Macs not listed above that are running Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later can send and receive standard definition FaceTime calls. Apple also noted that sending and receiving HD calls requires 1 Mbs in throughput. Best free virus protection for mac.
Can You Facetime On Mac
For a further bit of clarity, Apple offered the following example:
You are using a MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) with FaceTime for Mac to call a friend who is using a MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011). Your MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) will receive HD video from the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011), and your friend’s MacBook Pro will receive standard definition video from your MacBook. What is the best firewire audio interface for mac?.
Best Facetime Camera For Mac Mini
FaceTime for Mac was announced Thursday and is available for US$0.99 on the Mac App Store.