How to Use FaceTime on a Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

• Make and answer calls using FaceTime on your Mac.
• Create, join, and manage Group Facetime calls.

Before We Begin:

• Have your Mac ready.
• Be connected to the internet.

2. Turn On FaceTime

1. Open the FaceTime app.
   

1. You may be prompted to turn FaceTime on. If so, click the Turn On button.
   

1. You may also be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID. Sign in if necessary.
   

3. Make A Call Using FaceTime

1. Open the FaceTime app.
   

1. Use the search field to enter the email address or phone number of the person that you want to call.
   

1. 
   
2. If that person is already in your contacts, you can just enter their name.
3. To make a FaceTime audio call, click the FaceTime audio button Audio.
   

1. To make a FaceTime video call, click the FaceTime video button Video.
   

4. Answer An Incoming FaceTime Call

You'll need to be signed into FaceTime and have it running to receive a call. 

1. When someone calls you with FaceTime, a notification appears in the upper-right corner of your screen.
   

1. You can choose to Accept or Decline the call by pressing the corresponding buttons.
   

1. Pressing the down arrow to the right of either button will expand a menu with additional options.
2. The Accept menu contains the option to start the call as audio instead of video.
   

1. The Decline menu contains the options to set a reminder to call back or send a message.
   

5. FaceTime Group Calls

As of macOS Mojave 10.14.1 you can have a call with up to 32 people using Group FaceTime. 

To Make a Group Call

1. Open the FaceTime app.
   

1. Use the search field to enter the names of your contacts, emails, or phone numbers.
   

1. 
   
2. Clicking Audio button will start an audio-only call without video.
3. Clicking the Video button will start the call with both audio and video.

To Answer or Decline a Call

The FaceTime app will need to be open in order for you to receive a call.

1. When someone places a group FaceTime call to you, a notification will appear in the upper-right corner of your screen.
   

1. Simply click the notification to join the call.

To Add a Person to the Call

1. During a FaceTime call, click the menu button to show the sidebar.
   

1. Click the Plus button.
   

1. Enter your contact's name, email, or phone number
2. Click Add.

6. FaceTime Settings (macOS)

1. Move your pointer over FaceTime to show these on screen controls.
   

1. The following controls are available:
2. Clicking the sidebar button opens the sidebar. 
   

1. Within the sidebar, the Plus button allows you to add a new person to the call.
   

1. The Message button can be used to send a message to someone already on the call.
   

1. The Mute button toggles whether your microphone is on or off.
   

1. The red X button terminates the call.
   

1. The Camera button toggles your video feed on or off.
   

1. The Double-arrow button toggles your call in and out of full screen.