Use Group FaceTime on Mac

: June 7, 2024
: Apple

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Use Group FaceTime on Mac

Use Group FaceTime on Mac

Group FaceTime makes it easy to have a video or audio call with up to 32 people.

To have a FaceTime call with a group of people, you need a Mac with an up-to- date version of macOS Mojave or later, a broadband Internet connection, and a built-in or connected microphone or camera. Or use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

To call only one person, follow the steps in Use FaceTime on your Mac.

Start a Group FaceTime call

The people you’re calling don’t need to have the FaceTime app open, but to receive the call on their Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, they do need to be signed in to FaceTime on that device. You can then call them using any phone number or email address they set up for FaceTime.

Start a call from the FaceTime app

Open the FaceTime app and enter the email address or phone number of each person that you want to participate. If the person is in your Contacts app, you can enter just their name. Enter up to 32 people.
Click the Audio or Video button to set up the conversation before making the call.
The sidebar shows everyone that you will call. From here you can click the messages button to send a text message to the group—before or during the call.
When you’re ready to start the call, click the FaceTime button to ring everyone’s device and send them a notification to join the call.
The Ring buttons are useful after the call is underway. Use them to ring someone you’ve added to the call.
Here’s how the video tiles work during a call:
- FaceTime shows up to 4 or 9 live video tiles at the same time, depending on your Mac model. These are the most active speakers. Other participants appear in a row at the bottom.
- When a person speaks, their tile automatically grows in size. Beginning with macOS Catalina 10.15.5, you can prevent tiles from changing size: Choose FaceTime > Preferences, then deselect Speaking.
- A tile shows ”Waiting” until that person joins or declines the call, and it shows an exclamation point when the Internet connection isn’t fast enough to show that person’s video.
- Click a tile to show that person’s name and the button to make the tile larger .
- Double-click a tile to make it larger and show the button to take a Live Photo of that person.
To leave the call, click the end call button . Everyone else can continue speaking with each other until they choose to leave.

Start a call from the Messages app

Start a group text conversation in the Messages app, or select a conversation that’s already underway.
Click Details in the upper-right corner.
To add another person to the conversation, click Add Member, then enter their name, email address, or phone number.
Click the video button or audio button to open the FaceTime app and start the call.

Join a Group FaceTime call

From the notification that appears on your Mac, click Join to open the FaceTime app. Then click the FaceTime button in the app to join.

If you’re already in the FaceTime app, click the FaceTime button next to the incoming call in the sidebar, then click it again on the next screen to join.

You can also use the Touch Bar to accept or decline a FaceTime call.

Add a person to a Group FaceTime call

Anyone on the call can add more people to the call.

While the call is underway, click the sidebar button to show the sidebar.
Click the add button .
Enter the person’s name, email address, or phone number, then click Add.
Click the Ring button next to the person’s name to invite them to join the call.