FaceTime does not work natively on Samsung devices, but you can receive FaceTime calls through a web link

Samsung phones and tablets run Android, not Apple's iOS, so they do not have the FaceTime app built in. However, starting in 2021, Apple allowed Android users to join FaceTime calls if an iPhone, iPad, or Mac user sends them a link. You cannot start a FaceTime call from a Samsung device, but you can answer one if someone with an Apple device invites you.

The link arrives as a text message, email, or through another messaging app. When you tap it, FaceTime opens in your Samsung's web browser — no app read needed. The call quality depends on your internet connection, and you will need to allow the browser to access your microphone and camera the first time you join.

If you want to make video calls from your Samsung to iPhone users, you have other options that work just as well and sometimes better, depending on what both people already have installed.

Key Takeaways

  • You can join a FaceTime call on Samsung only if an Apple user sends you an invitation link via text, email, or messaging app.
  • FaceTime calls on Samsung open in your web browser and do not require downloading an app.
  • You cannot start a FaceTime call from Samsung; you can only receive calls through a link someone else creates.
  • Google Meet, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger are alternatives that work on both Samsung and iPhone without needing an invitation link.

How to join a FaceTime call on your Samsung device

When someone with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac sends you a FaceTime link, it usually arrives as a text message or email. The link looks like a standard web address starting with facetime.apple.com. Tap or click the link directly from the message or email app on your Samsung.

Your default web browser will open and ask you to enter your name. Type in whatever name you want the other person to see, then tap Continue. The browser will ask permission to use your microphone and camera — tap Allow for both. Once you do, the call connects and you can see and hear the other person.

The call stays active as long as both people remain on the page. If you close the browser tab or navigate away, the call ends. You do not need a FaceTime account or Apple ID to join this way.

Why Samsung does not have FaceTime as an app

FaceTime is owned and controlled by Apple. For many years, Apple kept it exclusive to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. In 2021, Apple changed this policy and allowed Android users to join calls through web links, but they did not release a standalone FaceTime app for Android phones.

This means Samsung users will never see FaceTime in the Google Play Store. Apple's reasoning is that FaceTime works well enough through the browser for receiving calls, and making it an app would require Apple to maintain it across many different Android devices and versions — something Apple has chosen not to do.

Video calling alternatives that work on both Samsung and iPhone

Google Meet is free, works on any phone with a browser or the app, and does not require both people to have the same device. You can start a call from Samsung and invite an iPhone user, or vice versa. The app is available in the Google Play Store on Samsung devices and the App Store on iPhones.

WhatsApp offers video and voice calls and is installed on hundreds of millions of phones worldwide. Both people need the WhatsApp app, but once you have it, calling is straightforward — tap the person's contact, then tap the video camera icon. WhatsApp calls are encrypted, meaning the conversation is private.

Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct Messages both support video calls and work across Android and iOS. If you already use either platform, the calling feature is built in and free. Telegram is another option with similar features and a focus on privacy.

None of these require the other person to send you an invitation link first. You can start a call whenever you want, as long as both people have the app or can access it through a web browser.

What to do if someone sends you a FaceTime link and it does not work

If you tap a FaceTime link and nothing happens, check that your internet connection is working. FaceTime calls require either Wi-Fi or mobile data. Try opening the link in a different browser — if you normally use Chrome, try Firefox or Samsung Internet, or vice versa.

Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try the link again. If the link is very old (more than a few days), it may have expired — ask the person who sent it to create a new one. Make sure you are not using a private or incognito browser window, as some privacy modes block camera and microphone access.

If you still cannot connect, the person on the other end may need to check their Apple device to make sure the call is still active and the link is still valid.

Screen sharing and other FaceTime features on Samsung

When you join a FaceTime call through a browser link on Samsung, you get basic video and audio. You cannot share your screen, record the call, or use FaceTime's special effects and filters the way iPhone users can. These features are only available to people using the native FaceTime app on Apple devices.

If you need to share your screen with someone during a call, use Google Meet or Microsoft Teams instead — both allow screen sharing on Android and iOS. For recording calls, check your local laws first, as recording without consent is illegal in some places. Google Meet has a built-in recording feature that notifies all participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start a FaceTime call from my Samsung phone?

No. FaceTime calls must be started from an Apple device — iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The Apple user creates the call and sends you an invitation link. You can only join calls that are sent to you this way.

Do I need an Apple ID to join a FaceTime call on Samsung?

No. You do not need an Apple ID or any account at all. When you tap the link, you enter your name and join. The call connects through your browser without any sign-up.

Will FaceTime ever be an app on Samsung?

Apple has not announced plans to release a FaceTime app for Android. The web-based link method is Apple's chosen way to let Android users join calls. If this changes, it would likely be announced on Apple's official website.

What if the person I want to call has an iPhone but I have Samsung?

Ask them to read Google Meet, WhatsApp, or another cross-platform app. These work on both phones and let you start calls from your Samsung without needing an invitation link. Alternatively, they can create a FaceTime link and send it to you, but you would have to wait for them to do that each time.

Is FaceTime through a browser link as good quality as the app?

Quality depends on your internet connection, not whether you use the app or browser. A strong Wi-Fi connection usually gives better results than mobile data. If both people have good internet, the difference is minimal.