How to facetime a samsung from iphone

FaceTime on a Windows computer.

Todd Haselton | CNBC

Apple's big iOS 15 update for iPhones lets you invite Windows and Android users into your FaceTime calls.

It's the first time that's been possible. Previously, FaceTime calls were limited to people using iPhones, iPads and Macs.

How to facetime a samsung from iphone

Now, when you start a FaceTime call from an iPhone, you can invite people using other gadgets, like a Windows computer or an Android phone. All you do is send them a link that they can open in a web browser to join the call. It means you and your family don't have to pick a different app if you have a mix of people using different software.

You have to approve anyone who tries to join using that link, which helps prevent random people who get the link from joining your call. One note: someone still needs an Apple device, like an iPhone or an iPad, to start the call. But then anyone can join.

Here's what to do:

  • Install iOS 15 if you haven't already.
  • Open FaceTime on your iPhone (or iPad).
  • Tap the "Create Link" button on the top left.
  • Choose how you want to send the link. You can send it via a text message, email or through any third-party messaging apps on your device, like Teams or Slack. Send it.
  • You'll see the main FaceTime screen after you've sent the link to a friend.
  • Now tap "FaceTime Link" on the left to start the call from your iPhone or iPad.
  • Tap "Join."
  • Now anyone who has the link can click it, enter their name and request to join the conversation.
  • As the host, you'll now approve anyone who wants to join by tapping a green check mark button.

That's it!

Last updated: June 8th, 2021 at 13:43 UTC+02:00

For the longest time, people used to wonder can Samsung phones FaceTime? The answer to that had always been no. FaceTime is Apple’s very own video calling service. The company has gone to great lengths to ensure that only those that use an Apple device are able to make FaceTime calls.

After the pandemic forced everybody indoors in 2020, people had no option but to use video calling services for everything from school to meetings and everything in between. Zoom emerged as the service of choice because it was available on just about every platform. Other services were quick to improve their offerings as well. FaceTime remained a walled garden but in 2021, Apple is finally giving everyone a peak inside.

Apple announced at its developers’ conference yesterday that FaceTime will soon be available on Android and Windows through the web. This will be the first time that people with a non-Apple device will be able to join a FaceTime call. The functionality is expected to go live with iOS 15 in the fall.

As the biggest Android smartphone vendor, this change also means that Samsung phones can now FaceTime. However, Apple’s implementation is a bit weird. It’s not opening up its prized video calling service completely. Apple is only letting users outside its ecosystem to join FaceTime calls.

There’s not going to be an Android app for FaceTime. It will not be possible to initiate a FaceTime call from your Samsung smartphone. The call can only be initiated by someone with an Apple smartphone or computer. What they can do is share a link to that call. So once you get that link only then will you be able to join the call through the web browser on your Android phone.

Much like iMessage remains closed off to Android, so does FaceTime. Apple has only done the bare minimum to let its users keep in touch with people outside the ecosystem. So while your iPhone-owning friends gave you a tough time on those green bubbles in iMessage before, be prepared for them to talk smack about your need doe FaceTime links.

  • You can join a FaceTime call on an Android or PC by clicking a link sent to you by someone with an Apple device.
  • The person with the Apple device needs to be running at least iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS 12 Monterey.
  • Once you get the FaceTime link, you'll open it in your Android or PC's web browser.

FaceTime is a reliable way to video chat between iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. If you have one of these Apple devices, it's easy to take FaceTime for granted. 

Unfortunately, there's no way for Android users to download the FaceTime app or start their own FaceTime calls. But with the release of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS 12 Monterey, anyone can join a FaceTime call — even from an Android phone.

Here's how to send a FaceTime invite from an Apple device, and then how to join that FaceTime call on your Android phone or Windows PC.

How to join a FaceTime call on an Android or PC

Android and Windows users still can't start FaceTime calls. But as long as you have Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, you can join calls that others make.

First, someone with an Apple device needs to start the FaceTime call. To do this, they'll need:

  • An iPhone running at least iOS 15
  • An iPad running at least iPadOS 15
  • A Mac running at least macOS Monterey

1. Have the Apple user open the FaceTime app on their device and select Create Link at the top of the app. 

On an Apple device, select "Create Link" at the top of the FaceTime app. William Antonelli/Insider

2. In the pop-up, the Apple user then needs to select how they'd like to share the link — via Messages, Mail, Snapchat, AirDrop, or another app. It doesn't matter which method you use, the Android or PC user just needs to have the link.

3. Once the Android or Windows user receives the link to facetime.apple.com, they need to open it in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

4. Have the Android or Windows user enter their name and hit Continue

Enter your name and tap "Continue." William Antonelli/Insider

5. Once joined, have the Android or Windows user hit the green Join button in the floating pop-up. They might also need to give FaceTime permission to use their microphone and camera.

Tap "Join" to enter the call. William Antonelli/Insider

6. The Apple user will then need to accept their request to join.

The Apple user will be notified when someone tries to join the call. William Antonelli/Insider

7. Once both parties have entered the call, they'll both see the same options to mute themselves, show or hide their camera, leave the call, and more.

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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William Antonelli

Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews

William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .

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