You’re envious of your iPhone-owning friends who can FaceTime each other? Trying to figure out how to get FaceTime on your Android phone or looking for an Android alternative of FaceTime? In our FaceTime for Android guide, we’ll go over all of these points and more.
What Is FaceTime and How Does It Work?
Let’s go through what FaceTime is and how it works first. Apple’s video and audio calling service is known as FaceTime. It was released in 2010 for the iPhone and in 2011 for the Mac. It’s a free service for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod touch users who have compatible Apple devices. Anyone with one of these devices can call anyone else with a compatible device as long as their Apple ID is linked to their phone number or email address. FaceTime is a video-calling program, but the FaceTime Audio feature allows users to make voice-only calls. If your plan only allows for a certain number of minutes, this is a good alternative to making phone calls. Group FaceTime calls with up to 32 participants are also available, so you’re not confined to one-on-one conversations. You can even share your Mac’s screen using FaceTime, and iOS 15 and later support screen sharing on iPhones. FaceTime is extremely convenient because it comes pre-installed on every iPhone and Mac. When you set up an iPhone, you must log in or create an Apple ID, which means a video call with anyone you know who has an iPhone is just a tap away. There’s no need to fiddle with creating new accounts or downloading a different app.
Is it possible to use FaceTime on an Android device?
Because FaceTime is a proprietary program, Apple has complete control over where you can use it. FaceTime was previously exclusively accessible on Android handsets. Apple, however, has made an unexpected move by allowing users to utilize FaceTime on Android, Windows, and other systems. FaceTime is now accessible on Android as of September 2021. FaceTime, on the other hand, is not accessible for download through the Google Play Store or the Microsoft Store. Instead, you’ll need to build a link with an Apple device to invite you to a FaceTime call. You can join the call using a web interface if you open this link in Chrome or Microsoft Edge. The essential functionalities of FaceTime work on Android devices, however not everything is available. You may mute your microphone and video, use full-screen mode, and swap between your front and back cameras with this edition. You can also rearrange the call participants’ layout. Advanced features like SharePlay, on the other hand, are only available on Apple devices. For more information, see how to use FaceTime on Android and how to start a FaceTime chat with an Android user on your iPhone. If this version of FaceTime isn’t enough for you, or you’d prefer to use a FaceTime-like software designed specifically for Android, there are plenty of FaceTime alternatives available.
What Does FaceTime Look Like on Android?
Let’s take a look at some of the greatest apps that are similar to FaceTime that can be used on Android natively. If they don’t work for you, there are plenty of other free conference call programs to try.
Google Duo is a pair of Google products
Google released Google Allo and Google Duo in 2016. Duo is the company’s closest successor for FaceTime. Allo was a text chat software that was discontinued, but it is still available. Like FaceTime, it has a pared-down UI with a focus on video calling. Duo is well-optimized for bad connections, so you should have a good call even if your network isn’t great. It enables up to 32-person group calls with the opportunity to leave a short message if the other person does not pick up. Duo also uses phone numbers for contacts, which makes it easier for your pals to join because they don’t need to create a Google account. Google Duo provides voice calling if you don’t need a full video call. When someone contacts you, it also offers a function called “Knock Knock,” which allows you to see a few seconds of the other party’s live video. Finally, Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring the security of your conversations. Duo comes the closest to being an Android version of FaceTime. Although it isn’t an all-in-one communicator like Hangouts, its simplicity appeals to some. Duo is also available for iPhone and the web, so your iPhone-owning friends can easily call you if they don’t mind installing another app. Download: Google Duo for Android | iOS (Free)
Google Hangouts/Chat
Google Hangouts has undergone multiple bewildering changes, and the program is nearing its end of life as of this writing. Google has already switched business users from Hangouts to Google Chat, and consumer users will follow suit soon. For the time being, you can use the Hangouts app, but it cautions you that it won’t be available for long. As a result, we do not advise you to use this dying service. Instead, you’ll be told to use Gmail’s new Chat function. Your Hangouts conversations will appear in the Chat tab of the Gmail app. You’ll have to use this or the official Google Chat app after Hangouts is no longer available. Google Chat is marketed toward business users on the Play Store, but it can also be used for personal accounts. Because Google Chat is a rather simple chat, it may not be sufficient for you. It facilitates video calls by producing Google Meet connections. Download: Google Chat for Android | iOS | Web (Free)
Skype
Skype was the first widely used video-calling app. While it works well, there’s no compelling reason to use it over Google Chat or Duo unless all of your pals are Skype users. The earlier apps are more Android-friendly, and Skype requires a Microsoft account to use. Furthermore, several of Skype’s redesigns have been less than stellar. If you do decide to use Skype, here are some helpful Skype hints. Download: Skype for Android | iOS | Web (Free)
For Android, the Best FaceTime App
If you have an Android phone and want to FaceTime your iPhone-owning friends, you should use Apple’s approved method. Simply ask a buddy with an iPhone to create a link to a new call, and you’ll be able to join it in your browser. Google Duo is also worth having around if you frequently call others using Android or the web. It’s easy to set up, so even if you’re attempting to video chat with a relative who isn’t tech-savvy, they won’t have a hard time getting started. The fact that your Duo profile is linked to your phone number also eliminates the need to create a Google or Microsoft account. Duo is unencumbered by a slew of extra features, and it’s available worldwide with complete support. If your iPhone-owning pals refuse to install another app, that’s the sole reason not to use it.
Will Android Ever Get Full FaceTime Support?
While Apple’s move to make FaceTime links available on other platforms came as a surprise, this solution isn’t a full version of FaceTime for Android. When Steve Jobs first unveiled FaceTime, he promised that the business will collaborate with standards bodies to make it a “open industry standard,” but that hasn’t happened yet. Apple does have a few Android apps, such as Apple TV, Apple Music, and Move to iOS. However, Apple Music and Apple TV are also expensive services, thus these aren’t free apps from Apple. FaceTime is a unique experience. It’s a free service that comes with the “magic” of owning an Apple iPhone. Making FaceTime completely compatible with Android or other platforms might devalue the Apple experience, in which its own gadgets function in unison. FaceTime would become just another video-calling app, rather than a streamlined way to video chat between Apple devices. Furthermore, Apple’s software engineers are undoubtedly the best conversant with the Mac and iOS platforms. Designing an app for Android would take a long time, would likely be less seamless than the Apple versions, and would harm the brand. That’s why a full version of FaceTime is unlikely to arrive to Android.
Android Video Chatting, With or Without FaceTime
You now know how to use FaceTime on Android. You can join FaceTime calls utilizing links created by iPhone users, or you can use one of the finest FaceTime alternatives. Google Duo performs admirably as an Android version of FaceTime, and it even allows you to video call iPhone users with ease. Another option is to use WhatsApp, which combines text, audio, and video communication in one application.
