Table of Contents
This article will show you how to Use FaceTime on Apple TV. FaceTime is a great way to talk to your friends and family over video on Apple TV. FaceTime also lets you watch videos and TV shows. It’s easy to use the app. Open the FaceTime app and choose a contact to make a FaceTime call. Next, you’ll need to enter the phone number and return key of the person you’re calling.mYou can also use an app from a third party to connect with someone on their TV. LetsView is a free app that lets you mirror the screen of your iPhone or iPad to your smart TV.
It is easy to use and has a feature that lets you record your screen. FaceTime is without a doubt one of the most popular video calling services. And thanks to some new software updates, the app is now available on the Apple TV, which is one of the best devices for streaming media. With tvOS 17 and iOS 17 (or iPadOS 17), your great smartphone or tablet can be used to bring FaceTime to the big screen. You only need an iPhone or iPad and an Apple TV with the latest version of its operating system. We mentioned below are the steps how to Use FaceTime on Apple TV.
What is FaceTime?
FaceTime is a video and voice calling service that Apple made. It is mostly used on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. But if they have the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call from an Apple user. And by the end of 2023, Apple TV 4K will have FaceTime. Facetime was made so that people could talk to each other in real time and in a personal way.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Video calling | Make video calls to other Apple devices. |
| Audio calling | Make audio calls to other Apple devices. |
| Group calling | Make video or audio calls to up to 32 people at the same time. |
| Screen sharing | Share your screen with the other person during a video call. |
| SharePlay | Watch and listen to content together with the other person during a video call. |
| Spatial audio | Experience spatial audio in FaceTime calls on supported devices. |
| iOS Store | Download Now |
Now, in the age of modern communication, it lets people from different places talk to each other. FaceTime works over Wi-Fi, so one big advantage it has over your regular Phone app is that it lets you make free internet calls anywhere you have Wi-Fi. You don’t need good cell service to use FaceTime from home, a hotel, a restaurant, or any Wi-Fi hotspot. Plus, since it works with Wi-Fi, it can be used on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac.
Why use FaceTime on Apple TV?
- Larger Screen: Most people connect Apple TV to a bigger TV screen, which makes video calling more immersive and comfortable, especially for group calls or when you want to see people clearly.
- Group calls: With Apple TV, you can join FaceTime calls with more than one person. You can have family or friends join from different places, and everyone can be seen on the big screen.
- Shared Viewing: You can let everyone on the FaceTime call see content or apps on your iPhone or iPad by using Apple TV. This is useful for showing photos, videos, presentations, or even just browsing the internet together.
- Hands-Free: With Apple TV, you can use Siri voice commands to make FaceTime calls without using your hands. This makes it easy to do things like cook or work out while on a call.
- Better Audio: The audio output of an Apple TV is often better than that of an iPhone or iPad, making FaceTime calls clearer and louder.
- Continuity Camera: As mentioned in the previous steps, your Apple TV can act as a Continuity Camera for your iPhone, making it easier to share documents or use augmented reality apps during a FaceTime call.
(tvOS 17) How to Use FaceTime on Apple TV
- On your Apple TV, open the FaceTime app.
- Here, choose the Apple ID you want to use for FaceTime calls.
- As soon as you choose the Apple ID, your iPhone will let you know that your Apple TV wants to use it as a Continuity Camera.
- Now, tap the message you got and then tap Accept in the menu that comes up.
- Once your iPhone is connected to your Apple TV, you’ll be asked to put your iPhone near the TV in landscape mode, like when your iPhone is in standby mode, with the back camera facing you.
- Once the iPhone is in place, choose the person you want to FaceTime with.
- Once the contact accepts your FaceTime call, you can choose between three video modes: Center Stage, Portrait, and Reactions.
Requirements for FaceTime on Apple TV
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Apple TV Model | Fourth generation or newer Apple TV |
| Operating System | tvOS 15 or a later version |
| FaceTime App | FaceTime app should be available on the Apple TV |
| Apple ID | You need an Apple ID to use FaceTime on Apple TV |
| iPhone | An iPhone with FaceTime capability to establish the connection |
| Connectivity | A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) |
| Camera (Optional) | Apple TV with a compatible camera for Center Stage mode (e.g., Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K) |
| Microphone (Optional) | For audio communication during FaceTime calls |
Security and Privacy Considerations for FaceTime on Apple TV
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Encryption | FaceTime calls on Apple TV are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that the content of your calls remains private and secure. |
| Apple ID Authentication | Users must authenticate using their Apple ID, enhancing security by linking FaceTime usage to their account. |
| Acceptance Confirmation | Before using your iPhone’s camera for FaceTime on Apple TV, a user must confirm acceptance, preventing unauthorized access. |
| Camera Usage Indicator | When your iPhone’s camera is in use for FaceTime, an indicator is displayed, alerting users to potential camera activity. |
| Permission-Based Camera Access | FaceTime requires explicit user consent to access the iPhone’s camera, strengthening privacy controls. |
| Location Privacy | FaceTime does not access or transmit location data, preserving user location privacy. |
| FaceTime Call Control | Users have control over FaceTime calls and can choose who to initiate calls with, ensuring privacy in communication. |
Questions and Answers
Apple TV is not a regular TV set. It’s a streaming device like Roku or Amazon’s Fire TV that lets you watch movies and TV shows from all your favorite providers. Apple TV essentially turns your TV into a “smart” TV.
FaceTime can only be used on Apple products. During a FaceTime call, you can project the iPhone screen onto the TV if you want to. You need either a Lightning to HDMI adapter or an Apple TV, which lets you mirror the display wirelessly with AirPlay.
The Apple TV app can be used on all Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. It is also available online at tv.apple.com and on Roku, Amazon Fire TV devices, Samsung smart TVs, Nvidia Shield, and Android TV OS.
TVs don’t have webcams built in like phones, tablets, and laptops do, and even if they did, who would trust them? But tvOS 17 wants a camera very much. For now, iPhone and iPad work. Apple is also said to have worked on a combination HomePod soundbar/Apple TV/camera.