5 Things You Can Do With FaceTime on a Mac
Apple’s built-in video and audio calling app FaceTime packs some amazing features. Over the past decade, Apple has done everything possible to deliver the best FaceTime experience, making it the go-to app for video and audio calling for most iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
With the introduction of FaceTime on the web, the coveted service is now available to Android users, too. And since it’s an Apple product, all you need to get it running is your Apple ID. Below, we’ll list the five things you can do with FaceTime on your Mac:
1. Watch Parties With SharePlay
Forget Teleparty; SharePlay is the next big thing for Apple enthusiasts. You can easilywatch movies with your friends on FaceTime using SharePlay. Apple introduced this feature alongside iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.
The other people in the FaceTime call must also be Apple device users for you to use it on your Mac. And because of Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions, they must also be subscribed to the streaming service you use while sharing your screen.
2. Turn Your iPhone Into a Webcam With Continuity Camera
Continuity Camera has been around since the release of macOS Mojave, but with the arrival of macOS Ventura and iOS 16, it’s received a significant upgrade. Apple users can now turn their iPhones into a Mac webcam while using FaceTime.
There’s no need to connect your iPhone to your Mac using any cables. All you have to do is bring it near your Mac, and it’ll connect automatically. Continuity Camera also has a “Desk View,” which shows an overhead view of your desk. Feel free to learn more aboutusing Continuity Camera in macOS Ventura.
3. Blur Your Messy Background With Portrait Mode
In the middle of an important meeting and don’t want your coworkers to see how messy your room is? Don’t worry because you can blur your background with FaceTime.
Portrait mode is a video effect available on Apple silicon Macs (M1 and M2 Macs) running macOS Monterey or above. When you turn on Portrait mode, it’ll blur your background.
confirm your room isn’t too messy because Portrait mode only slightly blurs the background!
4. Start Meetings With FaceTime Links
FaceTime allows you to create meeting links and share them with Apple, Android, and Windows users. The only requirement for Android or Windows users is that they must be using the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
When you create a new FaceTime link, you’ll have to allow people to join your meeting, but any Apple device user who’s been in the meeting for 30 seconds will also be able to let people in.
Tocreate a FaceTime meeting link on your Mac, simply open FaceTime on your Mac and click onCreate Link. You can then share the meeting link with other people via Messages and other apps.
5. Handoff Your Calls to iPhone or iPad
The good thing about owning multiple Apple devices is that you have access to tons of features that allow you to switch between the devices seamlessly. After all,Apple’s Continuity featureis one of the major reasons people prefer iPhones and Macs to Android and Windows.
With FaceTime, you can start a video call on your Mac and easily move it to your iPhone or iPad and vice versa, as long as you’re logged into all of them with the same Apple ID.
If you wear AirPods during a FaceTime call, the audio will switch, too, as you move to a different Apple device in the middle of the call. Handoff only works on macOS Ventura, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16, and it’s enabled by default on all Apple devices.
Is FaceTime Your Favorite App Yet?
Considering how many features FaceTime has, it’s difficult not to call it your favorite video-calling app. Apple has introduced loads of new FaceTime features, including screen sharing with other Mac users, turning your iPhone into a webcam, and more.
Now, with the ability to let Android users join FaceTime meetings, it has become clear that Apple plans to expand the app’s reach to make it more accessible to everyone.
If you want to start a FaceTime call with non-Apple users, follow this guide to create and share a FaceTime link. It’s so easy!
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