When it comes to video conferencing on a Mac, Apple seems frustratingly in the dark. The company that made it such a priority nearly 20 years ago with the iSight camera, and brought video calls to our collective consciousness on phones with FaceTime, seems content to sell expensive computers with frustratingly awful webcams, year after year.

Webcam Settings gives you more control over your FaceTime camera. A better solution is probably the Webcam Settings app, which you can grab for $7.99 in the Mac app store.It works fine on. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌. Scroll down and tap FaceTime. If you're not signed into ‌FaceTime‌ with your Apple ID. SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘NEOGEO Pocket.

Just as annoying as the lackluster hardware is the fact that Apple doesn’t give users any built-in control to improve quality themselves. There’s no System Preferences adjustment for the FaceTime camera on a Mac. If the video app you’re using doesn’t have its own controls, you’re out of luck.

Setting Up FaceTime. The great news about setting up FaceTime is that it is already there on your Apple device. All you need to do before using it for the first time is to open it by clicking on the FaceTime app and then sign in using your Apple ID. FaceTime automatically registers your phone number, but you can also register your email address. An introduction on how to set up FaceTime on the Mac to chat with friends and colleagues alike.Installing the Apple FaceTime 0.9 beta application on Mac OS-X. Group FaceTime is, naturally, for times when you need to get a group of people together, be it a family gathering or business meeting. The FaceTime app allows for up to 32 participants in the same active video chat. To make a Group FaceTime call on Mac: Open the FaceTime app.

All hope is not lost, though. Wether you’re using third-party webcam hardware or Apple’s built-in FaceTime camera, you have options, if you’re willing to invest a bit of money in an app.

Try the Webcam Settings app

There are several apps out there that let you change the settings on your Mac webcam. One of the more frequently mentioned options is iGlasses. We find it has a lot of great features, but it’s hard to recommend. First, it’s rather expensive at $20. Second, it creates a “virtual webcam” which works fine with some apps (like newer version of Zoom) but not with FaceTime, Photo Booth, or newer versions of Skype.

A better solution is probably the Webcam Settings app, which you can grab for $7.99 in the Mac app store. It works fine on macOS Big Sur and Apple Silicon macs (through Rosetta), and directly controls features of your webcam, so it works with nearly every app.

You can adjust exposure time, aperture, brightness, contrast, zoom, backlight compensation, focus, and lots more—depending on the hardware features of the camera you’re adjusting. You can save these settings as quick presets, too. Webcam Settings sits up in your menu bar for quick access, and doesn’t consume much in the way of resources.

It’s frustrating to shell out money for features that probably should be found in Apple’s system preferences, but with a little fiddling around you can really improve the look of your webcam.

Check your webcam maker’s software

If you’ve got an external USB camera (which we highly suggest if you do lots of remote learning or work, because Apple’s built-in cameras are so bad), you should check your camera maker’s website for any free software it offers.

You were probably able to just plug in your camera and have it work with Zoom and FaceTime and Skype and Teams and such, but installing the drivers may give you better control.

Logitech’s G Hub software, for example, is the hub for all Logitech’s gaming gear, including webcams. Or you might want to pop over to the support site and download the company’s Camera Settings app, which will let you tweak settings on all Logitech webcams.

Ultimately, the right thing would be for Apple to recognize the critical role webcams play in modern computer use and build in camera hardware on par with front-facing iPhone cameras. This should be accompanied by System Preferences controls to tweak their settings. Until that time, you’ll have to spend a bit of money, either on a paid app or an external webcam.

To have a FaceTime call with a group of people, you need a Mac with an up-to-date version of macOS Mojave or later, a broadband Internet connection, and a built-in or connected microphone or camera. Or use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

To call only one person, follow the steps in Use FaceTime on your Mac.

Start a Group FaceTime call

The people you're calling don't need to have the FaceTime app open, but to receive the call on their Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, they do need to be signed in to FaceTime on that device. You can then call them using any phone number or email address they set up for FaceTime.

Start a call from the FaceTime app

1. Open the FaceTime app and enter the email address or phone number of each person that you want to participate. If the person is in your Contacts app, you can enter just their name. Enter up to 32 people.
   
2. Click the Audio or Video button to set up the conversation before making the call.
3. The sidebar shows everyone that you will call. From here you can click the messages button to send a text message to the group—before or during the call.
   
4. When you're ready to start the call, click the FaceTime button to ring everyone's device and send them a notification to join the call.
   The Ring buttons are useful after the call is underway. Use them to ring someone you've added to the call.
   

5. Here's how the video tiles work during a call:

   • FaceTime shows up to 4 or 9 live video tiles at the same time, depending on your Mac model. These are the most active speakers. Other participants appear in a row at the bottom.
   • When a person speaks, their tile automatically grows in size. Beginning with macOS Catalina 10.15.5, you can prevent tiles from changing size: Choose FaceTime > Preferences, then deselect Speaking.
   • A tile shows ”Waiting” until that person joins or declines the call, and it shows an exclamation point when the Internet connection isn't fast enough to show that person's video.
   • Click a tile to show that person's name and the button to make the tile larger .
   • Double-click a tile to make it larger and show the button to take a Live Photo of that person.
6. To leave the call, click the end call button . Everyone else can continue speaking with each other until they choose to leave.
   

Start a call from the Messages app

1. Start a group text conversation in the Messages app, or select a conversation that's already underway.
2. Click Details in the upper-right corner.
   
3. To add another person to the conversation, click Add Member, then enter their name, email address, or phone number.
4. Click the video button or audio button to open the FaceTime app and start the call.

Join a Group FaceTime call

From the notification that appears on your Mac, click Join to open the FaceTime app. Then click the FaceTime button in the app to join.

If you're already in the FaceTime app, click the FaceTime button next to the incoming call in the sidebar, then click it again on the next screen to join.

You can also use the Touch Bar to accept or decline a FaceTime call.

Add a person to a Group FaceTime call

Anyone on the call can add more people to the call.

Setting Up Facetime On Mac Computer

1. While the call is underway, click the sidebar button to show the sidebar.
2. Click the add button .
3. Enter the person's name, email address, or phone number, then click Add.
4. Click the Ring button next to the person's name to invite them to join the call.

Setting Up Facetime On Macbook Air

Use the onscreen controls

During a call, move your pointer over the FaceTime window to show these controls.

Mute Video
Turn the video from your camera off or on.

Set Up Group Facetime On Mac

Full Screen
Switch to or from a full-screen FaceTime window or larger tile.

Camera Shutter
Take a Live Photo of the other person.

Learn more

Setting Up Facetime On Mac

• To stop receiving FaceTime calls on Mac, open FaceTime, then choose FaceTime > Turn FaceTime Off.
• Learn how to delete your call history in FaceTime.
• Learn what to do if FaceTime isn't working, your built-in camera isn't working, or you can't sign in to FaceTime.

Can't Set Up Facetime On Mac

FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.