With the introduction of iOS 15, FaceTime calling has gained major new features, including a ‘Microphone Mode’ with speech / wide spectrum isolation and a ‘Portrait Mode’ that blurs what’s in its background.
However, the most notable feature is Android FaceTime support.
Similar to how Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex work, Apple’s FaceTime now also lets you create a share link for others to join, no matter what platform they’re on.
The new feature will allow friends, family or colleagues who do not have an Apple device to join a FaceTime video / audio call through a web browser on any non-Apple device, including Windows PCs and Android phones.
It’s worth noting that non-Apple users can only join a FaceTime call and cannot create one.
Here’s how you can start a FaceTime call and invite your friend to it in iOS 15:
- Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone with iOS 15.
- Tap ‘Create link’.
- Give the video room a name by tapping ‘Add Name’. This step is optional.
- Decide how you want to share the link (message, email, WhatsApp, Instagram) and tap on that option. Proceed to send the link to all the people you want to invite.
That is all you need to do on iOS. Once your guests receive the link and open it, they will be redirected to the web page with a pop-up window asking for their name.
When joining, you will need to admit guests. While they will have all the traditional FaceTime controls, i.e. camera on / off, microphone mute, switching between rear and front camera, they won’t be able to use Memojis, filters, stickers, etc.
Follow the screenshots below:
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Tap ‘Create link’.
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Give the video room a name by tapping ‘Add Name’.
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Adding a name to the meeting is optional.
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Decide how you want to share the link (message, email, WhatsApp, Instagram).
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I submitted the link through Slack.
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That is all you need to do on iOS. Now wait for the guests to join.
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Once your guest opens the link, they will be greeted with a pop-up asking for their name.
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Invitees must click the green button in the upper right to join.
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You will receive a pop-up notification where you can choose to admit or deny entry for a person.
