But the person that doesn't own the Apple device can't call the person with the Apple device. Hardly a good solution.
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iOS 15: How to FaceTime Android Users
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I know, but what are ya gonna do? It's a way for my daughter and I to 'FaceTime' given that she doesn't have an iPhone. It's worked great for us and that's all I care.You hurt me with the "WhatsApp" mention, PJ.
I do a lot of work in SE Asia where it's almost all Android. This will be somewhat of a game-changer for people who want to use Facetime as a platform. But apple should go all the way and make Facetime a Zoom/skype/teams/webex competitor. Whatsapp is great, but it kind of sucks sometimes with server overload and it's a facebook product
The shareable link is exactly how it should be implemented. The competition isn’t Google Duo or WhatsApp. The main use case for this will be scheduled video call with groups, a market dominated by zoom,
In iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, you can enable anyone, even if they don't have an Apple device, to join a FaceTime call with you by creating a link to a FaceTime conversation that can be shared anywhere.
Using this new link facility, friends and family members who do not have an Apple account can log into a FaceTime call with you using a web browser opened on any non-Apple device, whether that's a Windows PC or an Android phone.
This effectively makes FaceTime a platform-agnostic video service, although you do need to be an iOS or Mac user to start the FaceTime call and send the link. Here's how it works in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
- Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Create Link.
- Give your FaceTime Link an identifiable name by tapping Add Name at the top of the Actions menu that appears.
- Select a method of sharing your link from the Actions menu, e.g. over Messages or Mail.
Once you've sent the link and the recipient opens it, they'll be directed to a web page where they can enter their name to join the conversation. Once they've joined the call, they'll have the usual FaceTime options to mute their microphone, disable video, switch the camera view, and leave the call.
For more information on all the new FaceTime features in iOS 15, be sure to check out our upcoming dedicated guide.
Article Link: iOS 15: How to Invite Android Users to a FaceTime Call
Microsoft teams and WebEx. These calls will involve not just iPhone and Android devices but also Windows PCs. Sharing call links by email and in calendar invites is key to this functionality.
Both iPhone and Android users include very actively hostile individuals.
Actually, I tested the ability with my mom the other day. It was pretty cool. She just clicked on the link from my text and agreed to use her camera and microphone and was in the group FT call. It was easy and simple.
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
Suspended
I have only tested it a few times with family, but when you create the link for the FT call, you can name it, like "family", or "friends" and send it to a group. That link stays live and can be used. They can rejoin using the same link that stays active until you delete it. When they join you will get notified so you can get back on the call.
100%. I wish I didn't have to install any of these apps: Zoom, GoToMeeting / LogMeIn, Cisco Webex... Google has the right idea by keeping Meet / Hangouts in-browser.
Requiring your Android/Windows friends to download an Apple app is hardly a more simple solution.
I definitely live in an iPhone bubble with family/friends/coworkers/maybe even the city in general. The FaceTime link to a web based platform does seem like a simple solution for those few android people we know that would be like pulling teeth just to try and coach them through installing and setting up an app. Ive also never heard of this Google Duo app before, but use hangouts to video chat with Android people like the one brother in law that uses some galaxy device. I've also never needed WhatsApp or know anyone that uses it. It is interesting the difference in regions and communication device/app preferences 🤗
You can use Zoom in-browser too, but they don't make it obvious cause they want you to get the app. The issue with Meet is you still have to log in, unless they've lifted that requirement.
I don't know a single person who uses Duo, and no matter how great it is, there's no use in getting people to switch because Google will shut it down once they get bored of it. Edit: Imagine if you had gotten people onto Allo.
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And also, WhatsApp calling / video call has never worked properly for me. It’s not an issue with my internet, because FaceTime and telegram work perfectly.
I think when it comes to deciding on a common platform to use, it boils down to who you want to bear the externality of that decision.
With apps like WhatsApp and telegram, you require everyone to download and install a third party app (and I abhor WhatsApp because it’s has the worst user experience of the three). FaceTime just requires non-iOS device users to access a browser; they don’t even need to install an app. It’s definitely the most seamless of the three.
I will definitely give it a go with my colleagues when iOS 15 gets released later this year.
I think when it comes to deciding on a common platform to use, it boils down to who you want to bear the externality of that decision.
With apps like WhatsApp and telegram, you require everyone to download and install a third party app (and I abhor WhatsApp because it’s has the worst user experience of the three). FaceTime just requires non-iOS device users to access a browser; they don’t even need to install an app. It’s definitely the most seamless of the three.
I will definitely give it a go with my colleagues when iOS 15 gets released later this year.
In iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, you can enable anyone, even if they don't have an Apple device, to join a FaceTime call with you by creating a link to a FaceTime conversation that can be shared anywhere.
Using this new link facility, friends and family members who do not have an Apple account can log into a FaceTime call with you using a web browser opened on any non-Apple device, whether that's a Windows PC or an Android phone.
This effectively makes FaceTime a platform-agnostic video service, although you do need to be an iOS or Mac user to start the FaceTime call and send the link. Here's how it works in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
- Launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Create Link.
- Give your FaceTime Link an identifiable name by tapping Add Name at the top of the Actions menu that appears.
- Select a method of sharing your link from the Actions menu, e.g. over Messages or Mail.
Once you've sent the link and the recipient opens it, they'll be directed to a web page where they can enter their name to join the conversation. Once they've joined the call, they'll have the usual FaceTime options to mute their microphone, disable video, switch the camera view, and leave the call.
For more information on all the new FaceTime features in iOS 15, be sure to check out our upcoming dedicated guide.
Article Link: iOS 15: How to Invite Android Users to a FaceTime Call
Thanks for sharing this, guys. It's cumbersome but at least it's a solution.
That’s interesting. The link remains live at all times and you get notified when a person joins? So after the very first link creation an Android user could effectively initiate a one to one call at any time in the future, is that correct?
This is a game changer for my family. Only one Android device all the rest Apple. Have been using Zoom, but 40 minutes is not enough - a pain setting up 2 meetings. A couple of the group would have problems getting on things like Google Meet (signing up etc).
Now, if I have beta iOS 15 on my iPad, could I set up a meeting on the iPad, but join it myself on my laptop using FaceTime on Big Sur.
Now, if I have beta iOS 15 on my iPad, could I set up a meeting on the iPad, but join it myself on my laptop using FaceTime on Big Sur.
Kinda sad - and a bit lame - that it took the simplicity and functionality of something like Zoom to kick the bu**s of a bunch of lazy incumbents like Apple, Cisco, and Microsoft to up their video-chatting game.
A welcome addition, however, even if an Android app might have been the more obvious solution.
A welcome addition, however, even if an Android app might have been the more obvious solution.