The simplest way to start a FaceTime call with someone

You can send a FaceTime link through Messages, Mail, or any app that lets you share text or a URL. On iPhone or iPad, open FaceTime, tap the plus icon next to the search bar, choose a contact or enter a phone number or email, then tap "Create Link". Copy that link and paste it into Messages, email, or any other app. On Mac, open FaceTime, select a contact, click the info icon, then click "Create Link". The person who receives the link can tap it to join the call — they don't need FaceTime installed, though they do need an Apple device or a web browser.

The link works once and expires after it's used, so you can safely share it without worrying about someone joining an old call. Each time you want to start a new call with the same person, you generate a fresh link.

Key Takeaways

  • FaceTime links let you invite someone to a call without needing their contact information saved in your phone.
  • You create a link in the FaceTime app itself, then copy and paste it into Messages, email, or any other messaging platform.
  • The person receiving the link can join from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any web browser — they don't need the FaceTime app.
  • Each link expires after one use, so you generate a new one every time you want to start a fresh call.

Creating a FaceTime link on iPhone or iPad

Open the FaceTime app and tap the plus icon in the top right corner. You'll see options to select a contact from your phone or enter a phone number or email address. Choose or type the person you want to call, then tap "Create Link". FaceTime generates a unique URL and shows it on your screen with a "Copy" button. Tap Copy, then switch to Messages, Mail, or any other app and paste the link into a message or email.

You can also create a link without selecting a specific person first. Tap the plus icon, then look for an option that says something like "Create Link" without a contact selected. This gives you a generic link you can send to anyone, though most people find it easier to select the contact first so they remember who they're calling.

Creating a FaceTime link on Mac

Open FaceTime and find the contact you want to call in your list, or search for them using the search bar at the top. Click on the contact to open their details, then click the info icon (usually a circle with an "i" inside). You'll see a "Create Link" button. Click it, and FaceTime generates a link with a "Copy" button next to it. Click Copy and paste the link into Mail, Messages, or any other app.

If you don't see the info icon immediately, make sure the contact's details panel is open on the right side of the FaceTime window. You may need to click the contact's name or a details button to reveal it.

Sharing the link through different apps

Once you've copied the FaceTime link, you can paste it anywhere text goes: Messages, Mail, Slack, Discord, email, social media direct messages, or even a shared document. The link looks like a long URL starting with "facetime.apple.com" or similar. When the person taps or clicks it, they'll be prompted to join the call.

If you're sending the link through an app that doesn't support clickable links (like some older messaging systems), the person can copy the URL and paste it into their browser's address bar to join. Most modern apps will recognize it as a link and make it tappable.

What happens when someone receives and uses the link

When the person you sent the link to taps or clicks it, they see a screen asking if they want to join the FaceTime call. If they're on an Apple device, they can tap "Join" and the call starts. If they're on an Android phone or computer without FaceTime, they can still join through a web browser — the link will open in Safari, Chrome, or whatever browser they use, and they can join from there without installing anything.

Once someone joins using the link, the call is active. You'll see them on your screen just as you would in a regular FaceTime call. The link expires after that call ends, so the same link can't be used to join a different call later.

Why you might use a FaceTime link instead of calling directly

FaceTime links are useful when you don't have someone's phone number or email saved, when you want to invite multiple people to a group call, or when you're coordinating a call through a messaging app and want to keep everything in one place. They're also helpful if the person you're calling uses Android or Windows — they can still join through their web browser, even though they don't have the FaceTime app.

Another reason to use links is privacy. Instead of sharing your phone number or email address, you share a one-time link that expires after use. This is useful if you're meeting someone for the first time or coordinating with someone you don't know well yet.

Troubleshooting common problems with FaceTime links

If the person you sent the link to can't join, first check that they're using a supported device or browser. FaceTime links work on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and most web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox). If they're on an older Android phone or an older version of Windows, they may not be able to join through a browser.

If the link isn't working at all, make sure you copied it correctly and that it wasn't cut off when you pasted it. FaceTime links are long URLs, and if even one character is missing, they won't work. Try creating a new link and copying it again. If the problem continues, restart the FaceTime app and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a FaceTime link to someone who doesn't have an Apple device?

Yes. If they're on Android or Windows, they can join through a web browser. The link will open in their browser and they can tap "Join" without installing anything. They won't have all the same features as someone using the FaceTime app, but they can see and hear you and you can see and hear them.

What if I want to send the same link to multiple people?

You can copy the link once and paste it into a group message or email, or send it to multiple people individually. Everyone who receives it can join the same call. Keep in mind that each link is one-time use, so once the call ends, that link expires and can't be used again.

Does the person need to have me in their contacts to join a FaceTime call through a link?

No. They can join a FaceTime call using a link even if they don't have your number or email saved. The link is all they need. This is one of the main reasons to use FaceTime links instead of calling directly.

Can I use the same FaceTime link for multiple calls?

No. Each link works only once and expires after the call ends. If you want to call the same person again later, you'll need to create a new link. This is a security feature that prevents someone from joining an old call by accident.

What if the link doesn't work on someone's browser?

FaceTime links work best on Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox on recent versions of Windows, Mac, and Android. If someone is using an older browser or an older operating system, the link may not work. Ask them to update their browser or try a different one. If they're on a very old device, they may not be able to join through a browser at all.