How to FaceTime friends without iPhones

Since COVID hit, you've likely been on more video calls than ever before. Even though many people are seeing others in-person again post-vaccine, the ability to see the face of someone near or far over a screen remains crucial.

For folks with iPhones, FaceTime is the go-to for video calls. But how can you FaceTime with friends without iPhones?

Both Apple and Android users can rejoice, as iOS 15 will allows non-iPhone users to join FaceTime calls. In the FaceTime app, users can create a FaceTime link and send it to anyone, no matter their phone manufacturer.

There is a catch, however. Android users will have to open the FaceTime link in browser, which doesn't make for the best call experience.

iOS 15 won't release until the fall, though, and you may not want to deal with a FaceTime link anyway. Thankfully, there are other alternatives to FaceTime where iPhone and Android users can seamlessly video chat. Here are just a few.

WhatsApp: To make a video call on WhatsApp, go to the conversation of the person you'd like to chat. On the top right, they'll be a video camera icon next to a phone icon. Tap the former to begin a video call.

Facebook Messenger: You can video call on Messenger, as well, and the instructions are similar to WhatsApp (perhaps no surprise, as Facebook owns WhatsApp). Navigate to the chat of the person or people you'd like to call, and click the camera icon.

Skype or Zoom: Both of these ubiquitous video services have apps where you can start video calls, too. As long as the people you want to chat with have the app, it doesn't matter what type of phone they have.

FaceTime will be available to Android users soon in some capacity, but there are many other options for easy video chatting.