With Apple iOS 15, you can now FaceTime with Android and Windows users

Finally, Apple has decided to allow its users FaceTime with Android and Windows users. Hitherto, Apple users could only do FaceTime with other users using iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Released in 2010, FaceTime is a proprietary videotelephony product developed by Apple Inc. It is available on supported iOS mobile devices running iOS 4 and later and Mac computers that run Mac OS X 10.6.6 and later.

This new feature is now available with the new Apple iOS 15 update for iPhones. The iOS 15 was released in September 2021.

For an iPhone user to invite an Android smartphone user or Windows computer user on a video call, the iPhone user would need to send a link to them. The non-iPhone user would click on the link in a web browser to join the call.

Here are the steps to FaceTime with an Android smartphone user or a Windows computer user:

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.
• A screen slides up from the bottom that says FaceTime Link. Click Add Name to enter a name for the chat.
• Choose an option 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. Or, you can even copy and paste the link yourself. 
• 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.

Note that only an Apple user can send initiate the FaceTime and you have to approve anyone who tries to join using that link, so as to prevent strangers who get the link from joining your call.

When an Android or Windows user receives the link, he/she will do the following:

• Open the FaceTime link. 
• The link will open in your browser (Note that you need the latest version of Chrome or Edge). Enter your name, and tap Continue. 
• The screen will say “Waiting to be let in,” until the person who invited you approves you to join the call. 

Enjoy the new experience