The basic way to add someone during or before a call

You can add a person to a FaceTime call in two ways: before you start by inviting multiple people at once, or during an active call by tapping a button to bring someone in. On iPhone or iPad, open FaceTime, tap the compose button (a pencil and square icon), then type or tap the names or phone numbers of everyone you want to include. On Mac, open FaceTime, click the compose button in the top left, and do the same. Hit the video or audio button to start the call with all of them at once.

If you are already on a call and want to add someone, tap the screen to see the controls, then tap the "add person" button (a person with a plus sign). Type the name or number of the person you want to bring in. They will get a notification that you are inviting them to join, and once they accept, they appear on your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add up to 32 people total to a single FaceTime call on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • The person you are adding must have an Apple device and be in your contacts or know your phone number or Apple ID to join.
  • Adding someone during a call takes about 10 seconds and does not drop the people already on the line.
  • If someone declines your invitation to join, you can invite them again later without restarting the call.

What you need before you can add someone

The person you want to add must have an Apple device — an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. FaceTime does not work with Android phones or Windows computers. They also need to have FaceTime turned on in their settings and either be in your contacts or have shared their phone number or Apple ID with you directly.

You need to be on a device that supports FaceTime: iPhone 6s or newer, iPad (most models from 2013 onward), or any Mac with macOS 10.15 or later. If you are not sure what device you have, go to Settings > General > About on iPhone or iPad, or click the Apple menu > About This Mac on a computer.

Adding someone who is already in your contacts

This is the fastest route. Open FaceTime and tap the compose button. Start typing the person's name — their contact card will appear as you type. Tap their name, and FaceTime will use whatever phone number or email address is listed in your contacts. If they have more than one number on file, you may see options to choose which one to use.

If you are already in a call, tap the screen to wake up the controls, then tap the add person button. Type their name the same way. Once you tap their name, FaceTime sends them an invitation to join the current call. They will see a notification on their device asking if they want to join, and they can tap to accept or decline.

Adding someone by phone number or Apple ID

If the person is not in your contacts, you can still add them if you have their phone number or the email address they use for their Apple ID. Open FaceTime, tap compose, and type the phone number or email into the field at the top. FaceTime will search for that person. Once you see them appear, tap to select them.

The person will receive an invitation to join. If they have never called you before, they may not recognize the notification right away, so it helps to text or call them separately to let them know you are sending a FaceTime invite. This is especially true if you are using an email address they do not associate with you.

What happens when you add someone mid-call

When you tap the add person button during an active call, a small window opens where you can type the name, number, or email. The people already on the call can still see and hear each other while you are typing and sending the invite. There is no pause or interruption on their end.

Once the new person accepts, their video or audio feed appears on the screen along with everyone else. On iPhone and iPad, FaceTime arranges faces in a grid. On Mac, you see a larger view of whoever is speaking, with smaller tiles of the others below. If the person declines the invite, the call continues with the people who are already there, and you can invite someone else or try again later.

Limits and what to know about group calls

FaceTime allows up to 32 people on a single call. If you try to add a 33rd person, the system will not let you. For most conversations, this is not a problem, but if you are planning a large meeting or event, you may need a different tool like Zoom or Google Meet instead.

All participants need a stable internet connection — WiFi or cellular data. If someone's connection drops, they will fall off the call, but you can invite them back in once they reconnect. FaceTime calls are encrypted end-to-end, which means Apple cannot see or hear what you are discussing, but everyone on the call can see everyone else's video and hear their audio.

Troubleshooting when you cannot add someone

If you type a name and nothing appears, the person may not be in your contacts or may not have an Apple device. Ask them to confirm they have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and that FaceTime is turned on in their settings. You can also ask for their phone number or the email address linked to their Apple ID and try typing that instead.

If you send an invite and the person never receives it, check that you have their correct number or email. Ask them to check their FaceTime settings to make sure they have FaceTime turned on and that they are signed in with the right Apple ID. If they are on an older device, they may need to update their operating system before FaceTime works properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a FaceTime call if they do not have me in their contacts?

Yes. They will receive a notification with your phone number or the name associated with your Apple ID, depending on how you sent the invite. They can accept or decline without having you saved in their contacts first. Once they accept, they can save you if they want.

What if someone is on Android or Windows?

FaceTime only works between Apple devices. If you need to include someone on Android or Windows, you will need to use a different video call service like Zoom, Google Meet, or WhatsApp instead. You cannot add an Android user to a FaceTime call.

Does adding someone drop the people already on the call?

No. The people already on the call stay connected and can see and hear each other the whole time you are inviting someone new. There is no interruption or pause on their end while you type and send the invite.

Can I remove someone from a FaceTime call?

No. Once someone joins a FaceTime call, you cannot remove them directly. They can hang up on their own, or you can end the entire call for everyone. If you need to remove one person from a group call, you would have to end the call and start a new one without them.

How long does it take for someone to join after I send an invite?

It depends on whether they see the notification right away. The invite appears on their screen when ready, but they have to tap it and accept. If they are looking at their device, it takes a few seconds. If they are not watching, they may not see it for minutes or longer.