How to use FaceTime on Android phones

Does it make you curious when you see your iPhone buddies using FaceTime? If you are wondering how to use FaceTime for Android phones or if it’s possible to use FaceTime on Android, let’s find out!

What is FaceTime?

FaceTime is Apple’s free audio and video calling service that was launched in 2010 for iPhone and in 2011 for Mac. It’s a pre-installed app compatible across all Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the old iPod touch.

Being a proprietary app, FaceTime has been within the Apple community for 11 years since its launch. But in Sept 2021, Apple made a surprising move by opening the option to use FaceTime on Android, Windows, Linux, and other platforms.

Why can’t you find FaceTime on Google Play?

To cut a long story short, Apple has provided limited access to non-iOS users. It’s an unrequited or one-sided access that Apple has extended. As a result, there’s no app for using FaceTime on other platforms. Instead, you will be able to use the same from  a browser.

You can attend and participate in any FaceTime call, but there has to be some Apple user behind it generating the invite link for you. You can join the call through a web interface, but you can’t organise the session through your Android phone.

Does the web interface have limitations to FaceTime features?

When we say web interface, you can only join the FaceTime link using a Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser. Even though these two browsers allow you to navigate FaceTime through your phone or laptop, Apple has imposed restrictions on web interface users.

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You can mute your microphone, switch off your videos, flip between front and rear cameras, and change the layout of call participants. However, you will not be able to use advanced features like SharePlay, and will not be able to share media content the way Apple devices can amongst each other. 

Is it a sin to expect full FaceTime support for Android?

While the brand hasn’t explicitly said so, it is unlikely that Apple will design a full version of FaceTime for Android users. FaceTime is, after all, an Apple feature, and for many a standout attraction of using an iPhone, iPad or another Apple device. Just like Garageband and iMovie, FaceTime also seems to have become a very personal service for those in the Apple ecosystem.

Android users can, however, use plenty of other video-calling services, some of which still have impressive features of their own. You can now share your screen while using WhatsApp video calls, or even use filters and other elements while using Instagram’s built-in video calling. There are plenty of  options to choose from which will not have the compromises and limitations of FaceTime on Android, so feel free to explore.