FaceTime like a pro with these 7 hidden features

Back in 2010, Steve Jobs introduced FaceTime as an iPhone 4 perk, letting users video call their loved ones over Wi-Fi. The service matured over the years, bringing more advanced features like group calls, screen sharing, and much more. Despite its evolution, many users continue to rely on FaceTime for basic one-to-one audio and video calls, disregarding the slew of advanced tools it now offers. If you’re looking to make the most of FaceTime, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with these lesser-known tips and tricks.

Smooth operator

One of the main reasons many people are drawn to Apple-only setups is the ecosystem that brings all your devices together through a set of features Apple calls “Continuity.” Handoff is one of the popular Continuity features: it lets you seamlessly move a task from one Apple device to another. FaceTime supports it, so you can move audio and video calls between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

For example, if a video call is taking longer than expected and I’m tired of holding my iPhone, I can conveniently move it to my MacBook. Similarly, I can hand off a call from the living room’s TV to my iPhone if I’m heading out during a call.

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To use the feature, make sure the Handoff toggle is enabled under Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity. Now, whenever you’re FaceTiming, all of your nearby devices will display a persistent notification that you can click to effortlessly move the call without interrupting it.

Take the wheel

Technology enthusiasts often become the default troubleshooters for their friends and family. FaceTime simplifies the process through its screen sharing feature. You could even doodle on the shared screen by tapping it, guiding the other party on where to tap. That’s not always efficient, however. Just tap the screen during a FaceTime call to show the controls, hit the share button and select Share My Screen.

Fortunately, FaceTime supports remote control; you can initiate a session by tapping the dedicated button in the bottom-right corner of the screen sharing interface. Once the other party approves your request, you’ll be able to remotely control their iPhone by tapping and swiping naturally on your screen. It truly makes resolving technical issues easier when you’re away from each other.

App-solute fun

SharePlay is another FaceTime perk that brings people together while they’re apart. During a call, tap the 3-dot menu (…), followed by SharePlay. This will bring up a list of installed apps that support the feature, such as popular music and video streaming services. Once you select an app and its relevant content, you’ll be able to enjoy it on your individual devices at the same time. It’s a neat way to socialize with faraway friends and keep the stream in sync.

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The aforementioned list also includes apps that support collaboration, including Apple’s own productivity suite. So, you could similarly collaborate on a document via SharePlay by following the same steps.

Face card never declines

Between messy rooms and unforgiving lighting, video calls can easily put participants on the spot. Luckily, FaceTime offers several enhancements that can polish your audio and video streams. Head to your iPhone’s Control Center during a call, and tap on the Controls bar at the very top. This will reveal several effects that you can instantly apply, including Portrait for blurring chaotic backgrounds, Studio Light for adjusting the lighting on your face, and Center Stage to keep you in frame as you move. Likewise, you can opt for the Voice Isolation option when sitting in noisy places to clean up your audio.

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If you’re using a Mac, you get to utilize a couple of exclusive perks, including virtual backgrounds to completely conceal your surroundings and Edge Light, which acts as a digital ring light.

Graphic responses

Speaking of effects, FaceTime supports more prominent ones that can emphasize a certain opinion or emotion during a call. The Reactions toolbox includes a heart, thumb up, thumb down, balloons, rain, confetti, lasers, and fireworks. To apply any of them, simply tap and hold on your thumbnail during a FaceTime video call, and pick the desired reaction. You could alternatively enable the Reactions toggle after expanding your video tile and perform their respective gestures to apply them.

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Links to the other side

If you’ve accidentally befriended Android or Windows users, you can actually FaceTime them, too. All you have to do is launch the FaceTime app on your iPhone, click on New Call, followed by Link (chain icon in the bottom-left corner). You can then optionally give the call a name and share the generated link via any messaging app.

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Keep in mind that anyone with the link will be able to request to join the call via a web browser. FaceTime doesn’t require them to sign in with an Apple Account, and they can assign themselves any alias. They’ll also be able to view your FaceTime caller ID (typically your phone number), so you should only share links privately with people you trust.

Eye-catching tech

During a FaceTime call, users naturally focus on the center of the screen, so you can see the other person. Because the front camera is positioned at the top, this creates the impression that you are looking downward instead of making eye contact. Your iPhone, however, can use its AI smarts to correct your gaze and establish virtual eye contact. Simply head to Settings > Apps > FaceTime, and enable the Eye Contact toggle. Et voilà.