Apple Has a Surprising FaceTime Feature for PC and Android Phone Owners
FaceTime has long been a cornerstone of communication across Apple devices, offering seamless video and audio calls.
- However, for many years, Android and Windows PC users were left out of FaceTime conversations entirely.
- This changed in 2021, when Apple opened the door for non-Apple users to join FaceTime calls—marking a subtle but significant move toward a more accessible ecosystem.
Apple’s Slow Expansion Beyond Its Ecosystem
While Apple has made strides, its moves to expand accessibility are still carefully limited.
- iMessage remains exclusive to iOS devices, but Apple has announced RCS support as part of iOS 18, promising better texting experiences between iPhone and Android users.
- However, despite RCS adoption, the familiar blue and green bubble divide will still remain, illustrating Apple’s careful balance between openness and brand identity.
Apple’s decision to allow Android and PC users to join FaceTime calls is part of this cautious expansion.
- Yet, it’s important to note: Apple didn’t create a FaceTime app for Android or Windows; instead, it enabled access via web browsers, keeping control over the core platform.
What Android and PC Users Can and Can’t Do with FaceTime
Through this update, Android and PC users can now participate in FaceTime calls but with certain restrictions:
- They cannot initiate FaceTime calls themselves.
- They can only join calls when an Apple device user sends them an invitation link.
This approach allows cross-platform communication without diluting Apple’s ecosystem advantages.
How iPhone Users Can Invite Android and PC Users to FaceTime
If you’re an Apple user wanting to connect with Android or PC friends via FaceTime, here’s the process:
- Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Create Link.
- A screen titled FaceTime Link will appear.
- You can Add Name to label your call.
- Share the link via Messages, Mail, Calendar, or copy and paste it through any other preferred method.
This process is very similar if you’re using a Mac to initiate the call.
How Android and PC Users Join a FaceTime Call
If you’re an Android or PC user receiving a FaceTime invite, here’s how to join:
- Click the FaceTime link shared by an iOS user.
- The link will open in a web browser (make sure you use an updated version of Chrome or Edge).
- Enter your name when prompted and tap Continue.
- Wait for the iOS host to approve your request.
- Start your cross-platform FaceTime conversation.
This simple process ensures that Android and PC users can connect easily, even without downloading extra apps.
Alternative Video Calling Options for Android and iOS Users
While FaceTime is now accessible in a limited way, Android users still have alternative apps where they can both initiate and join calls, including:
- Google Meet
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
These platforms offer full flexibility for initiating video calls across both Android and iOS devices, making them excellent alternatives when you need complete control.
