Finally, you can invite Android and Windows users to join FaceTime calls.
If you’re a big fan of Apple, the company’s messaging and FaceTime services are likely two key features that keep you locked in the Cupertino ecosystem. But now, Apple has opened the floodgates, allowing us to invite anyone to join a FaceTime call, even those on Android and Windows.
Unfortunately, Apple has not yet developed a FaceTime application for Android or Windows. That is so cool. Instead, Apple gave us some compromises: We will be able to share FaceTime links with friends and they can open these links in a web browser. As long as you have the link, you can join FaceTime calls on any platform (Android, Windows, or Apple).
There is a catch (but not a big one)
Note that not everyone can use this new feature – Apple will include it in the iOS 15 update later this year. At the time of writing, the software does not have an official release date, but it is currently in beta testing. If you are willing to install unfinished software on your iPhone, you can now try making FaceTime calls with Android and Windows devices. If you need help installing the beta version of iOS 15 on your iPhone, follow our instructions here.
How to share a FaceTime links with anyone
When running iOS 15 on your iPhone, open the FaceTime app. Here you will see a slightly redesigned interface compared to iOS 14, but the important part for us is at the top of the window: the new “Create Link” option. Click it to continue.
When done, iOS will open the shared sheet. Here, you can share FaceTime links as you like. Texting, emailing, delaying time, tweeting (not recommended), no matter how you want to link to the person you want to chat with. You can even give the link a unique name by clicking Add Name below the FaceTime link.
Once your friends get the link, all they have to do is open it in the web browser of their choice. This applies to Android, Windows, or any other operating system that supports the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and H.264 video encoding.
When they join the call, they will get the full FaceTime experience, just in their browser and not in the app. Will Apple develop applications for Android or Windows? Only time will give the answer. Until then, this is the best and important step to close the gap between platforms.
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