With the rise of the work from home culture because of the COVID-19 pandemic, teleconferencing apps like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams have found a permanent place on our desktops. All major brands, including Apple, have noticed the rising usage of these apps. FaceTime gets many welcome upgrades with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, such as screen sharing, SharePlay, Portrait mode, and more. In addition, Apple announced the integration of FaceTime on Android and Windows at WWDC.
While it is exciting to know that Facetime is available for Android and Windows users, Apple does not plan to launch any native Facetime app for Android and Windows. Android and Windows users can only use FaceTime via their web browsers. On Windows, FaceTime will only work with Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. For Android, all browsers and devices that use the H.264 codec are supported. But this, too, has several limitations.
Let’s first look at how can you use Facetime on Android and Windows
FaceTime links cannot be generated by Windows or Android users. To create a FaceTime meeting link, they need to ask someone using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to share the link with them.
Creat a Facetime link for Android and Windows
To enable Android or Windows users to join FaceTime group calls on the iPhone, create a FaceTime link and share it with your friends and family.
Step 1: Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Create Link.
Step 3: You will be taken to the default iOS Share menu.
Step 4: Share the link using any social media app, or send it by email via FaceTime.
Step 5: Click on the info button and join the call.
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Joining Facetime call from Android and Windows
Once you’ve created the FaceTime call, you’ll need to join it so that others joining from Windows and Android can also be part of the group call.
The active FaceTime link can be found in any app or email for Windows and Android users. By clicking on it, FaceTime will open the link in the browser. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: The first step is to add your name to FaceTime’s web interface. There is no need to create an Apple account for that.
Step 2: When you join the call, you won’t see anyone else in it. You need to be added to the FaceTime call by the admin (who created the link). FaceTime is only available then.
On Android as well, the process is identical. You will open the received FaceTime link in your default mobile browser on Android. When the admin lets you in, add your name, join the call, and wait for it to start.
Limitations of Facetime on Android and Windows
As of now, FaceTime for Windows and Android lacks several features. It would be best to consider these before using FaceTime as your primary means of staying in touch with family and friends.
- Android and Windows cannot make FaceTime calls or generate FaceTime links.
- Native apps are not available. Only Web browsers that are compatible with FaceTime can join a FaceTime call.
- SharePlay, FaceTime’s hot new feature, is missing. Watching movies and listening to music together on supported platforms with your friends will not be possible on FaceTime.
- A screen-sharing feature is also missing.
- There is no support for background blur, filters, or Apple Memoji.
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The integration of Facetime on Android and Windows is Apple’s indirect way of saying that if you want the same productivity and sharing benefits of your Mac and iPhone buddies, switch to Apple.
