This article was published on June 7, 2021

Apple’s new FaceTime links finally let you video call your Android friends

They can join via a browser


Apple’s new FaceTime links finally let you video call your Android friends

At WWDC today, Apple announced that iOS 15 will allow you to send your friends and family a link for a FaceTime call — like, you know, almost every other video calling service. While Apple sold the feature by saying it will allow you to schedule future FaceTime calls, this also allows for another new bit of functionality: FaceTime is coming to Android.

It’s about time.

We’re not just guessing here. While it’s unclear (read: unlikely) that Apple will create an Android-specific app, it did show off FaceTime working on a Google Pixel 3 via Chrome.

Facetime on an iPone and a Pixel 3
FaceTime is now accessible via a browser, bringing the feature to Android devices

I assume this also means you’ll be able to call your Windows friends too. Heck, you can even call that one person you know that uses Linux!

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Naturally, the experience will be better on Apple devices. Many of its best new features probably won’t be available on Android phones, and it’s unclear if you can start a call from non-Apple devices, but it’s still nice to see FaceTime become a little less exclusive.

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