How to join FaceTime calls on any device

Now that we are All spending more time on video calls, Apple decided to make its FaceTime app available on many more devices. With the rollout this year of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, you can join FaceTime calls from a web browser, opening them up to Android and Windows users as well.

The key word here is “join”. Apple didn’t go so far as to allow users to start FaceTime calls from non-Apple devices or access a contact list. There is no official FaceTime app for Android or anything like that, just a simple web interface that you can access from any device that is running a browser.

With your updated iOS, iPadOS, and macOS software, you’ll also notice other improvements to the FaceTime app: A Zoom-style grid interface is now available, along with background blur for your calls. The biggest change is the ability to join calls from any device, and it’s not hard to do.

Start FaceTime calls

Like we said, you still need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to start a FaceTime call. You cannot start a video chat from Android or Windows yet. Load up FaceTime on your Apple device, and instead of entering a number or email address like you normally would to initiate a contact, choose it. Create a link option instead.

You then get a variety of options to share that link (tap Add name to give it a proper name.) You can copy it to the clipboard, for example, or send it to another application such as Messages or Mail. If you don’t share it immediately, it will still be available on the front screen of the FaceTime app, so you can share it later if you prefer.

Anyone you give this link to will be able to join your FaceTime call – no password protection or login is required, although you can approve requests to join the call as they are made. . Each link you create remains active until you delete it, which you can do by tapping the info button next to a link and selecting Remove link.

You can join the call by tapping the link you created and then choosing To rejoin. When other attendees follow the link you’ve shared, you’ll see a pop-up alert asking if you’d like to admit them. If someone follows the link before you’ve actually made the call on your end, they’ll see a hold page (and you’ll get an alert that they’re trying to join).

Join FaceTime calls

If you are joining a FaceTime call from a non-Apple device, the process is very simple: click on the FaceTime link provided to you and you should see the FaceTime interface loading in your default web browser (note that ‘this time only Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge support FaceTime calls).