How to Start a Group FaceTime Using the FaceTime App
There are two ways to FaceTime with multiple people on an iPad or iPhone: the FaceTime app or the Messages app, both of which are installed with the iOS and available at the App Store if you deleted them.
Start a Group FaceTime Using the Messages App
You can also use the Messages app to start a group FaceTime in a few steps. Repeat the process to add additional contacts to the call. You can also manually enter phone numbers or email addresses to invite participants or choose from the Suggested contacts.
How to Group FaceTime on a Mac
Starting a Group FaceTime call on a Mac computer is easy. Mac users can also initiate a Group FaceTime call from the Messages app for macOS by selecting a group’s Details icon and choosing Video or Audio. A drop-down menu shows any matches in your contacts list. Select the correct person from the list or manually enter their name, number or email address.
How to Use FaceTime Filters
You can use filters to add a little pizzazz to your FaceTime calls.
FaceTime With Multiple People
FaceTime can be used to initiate group calls with up to 32 individuals. All the participants on the call must have the FaceTime app on an Apple device and have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection for their devices. Calling with FaceTime is easiest if you already have the person (or people) in your Contacts app or Messages app, but you can initiate a call on the fly with anyone by entering a name, phone number or email address. You can take a screenshot in FaceTIme that includes any special camera effects you add to a call.
Can You Switch Views on a Group FaceTime?
In a one-on-one FaceTime call, your image is displayed in a picture-in-picture window or tile, while the other caller is displayed in the main window. In a group call, the tile of the person speaking expands automatically, helping you to see the speaker better and follow the conversation. FaceTime knows which tile to expand by monitoring the volume input of callers. There is no way to expand the tiles of various participants manually; the user must speak or make noise for their tile to expand.
Group FaceTime Alternatives
FaceTime is an Apple product, so other platforms, like Windows, don’t support it. If your device doesn’t support FaceTime calls or will not start a Group FaceTime video or audio call, there are alternative apps that support group calling. Many of these alternatives work on Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS, among others, and these are usually cross-platform. For example, someone with an Android tablet can call a person with a Windows or iOS device. Here are some examples:
Facebook Messenger: See up to eight people at once, but include up to 50. Snapchat: Group calls are limited to 16 people. Skype: Group calls are limited to 50 people. Viber: Group calls are limited to 5 people. WeChat: Group calls are limited to nine people. Zoom: Group calls of up to 100 people.
