4 Quick Steps to Make a FaceTime Audio Call

Learn how to call someone on FaceTime without video

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: February 12, 2024 Fact Checked

If you don't want to video call someone on FaceTime, you can choose to make an audio-only call. Like FaceTime, you'll need an Apple ID and cellular data or internet access to call someone. Here's how to make audio-only FaceTime calls on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.

Things You Should Know

To make an audio-only call, open a contact's page and tap the phone icon next to the "FaceTime" header.
You must have an Apple ID and Wi-Fi or cellular to make FaceTime calls.
Alternatively, start a FaceTime video call and tap "Camera" to turn off your camera.

Steps

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1
Make sure FaceTime is enabled. You can use FaceTime on an iPhone with iOS 7 or later, iPad with iPadOS 13 or later, and Mac with OS X 10.9.2 or later (with a connected microphone).
- To check if it's enabled, do the following:
  - Go to Settings.
  - Tap FaceTime.
  - Toggle on FaceTime.
2
Open a contact's info page. You can do this in the Contacts app by tapping a contact.
- You can also open the Messages app, tap a conversation, and then tap their name at the top. Tap info to open their contact page.
- On Mac, open the Messages app and select a conversation. Tap i in the top-right corner to open their contact page.^{[1]
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3
Tap the phone icon next to "FaceTime". This is different from the phone icon at the top, which may start a mobile call on some devices.
- The audio-only call will start immediately.
- On Mac, click call.
4
Turn off FaceTime video (optional). If you don't see the option to start a FaceTime audio call, or if you want to see the other person without showing yourself, you can make a FaceTime video call and turn off your camera. Do the following:
- Open a contact's info page.
- Tap FaceTime at the top.
- Quickly tap Camera before the other person answers.
  - You'll see Video camera off and the icon will no longer be highlighted.
  - If you want to turn the camera on, tap Camera again.