Add a person during an active FaceTime call

To add someone to a FaceTime call that is already happening, tap the screen to bring up the controls, then tap the add person button (it looks like a person with a plus sign). A list of your contacts appears. Find the person you want to add and tap their name. FaceTime sends them an invitation to join, and once they accept, they appear on your screen alongside the people already in the call.

On iPhone and iPad, this button sits in the top right corner of the call screen. On Mac, look for it in the FaceTime window controls. The person you are adding does not have to be using FaceTime — if they have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even an Android phone with FaceTime installed, they can join.

If you cannot see the controls on your screen, tap anywhere on the call to make them appear. They disappear after a few seconds of inactivity to keep the screen clear.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the add person button (person with a plus sign) during an active call to invite someone to join.
  • You can add up to 32 people total to a single FaceTime call on most devices.
  • The person you invite receives a notification and can accept or decline the invitation.
  • FaceTime works across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android devices that have the FaceTime app installed.

What happens when you send an invitation

When you tap a contact's name, FaceTime sends them a notification that you have invited them to join your call. On their device, they see your name and a button to accept or decline. They have the option to join or ignore the invitation — if they decline, they simply do not appear on the call and you can continue with the people already there.

If the person accepts, their video and audio feed appear on your screen within a few seconds. Everyone in the call can see and hear everyone else. If the person does not respond to the invitation within a certain time, it expires and you can send another one.

Limits on how many people you can add

FaceTime allows up to 32 people in a single call on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This includes you, so you can add up to 31 other people. If you try to add someone when the call is already at 32 people, the add person button will not work until someone leaves the call.

The number of people in a call can affect video and audio quality, especially if your internet connection is slow. If you notice the call becoming choppy or people's video freezing, it may help to ask someone to leave temporarily or to move closer to your Wi-Fi router.

Adding people on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, start a FaceTime call or join one that someone else started. Once the call is active, tap the screen to show the controls. In the top right corner, you will see a circle with a person and a plus sign inside it. Tap that button to open your contacts list.

Scroll through your contacts or use the search box at the top to find the person you want to add. Tap their name, and FaceTime sends them an invitation. You can add multiple people one at a time by tapping the add person button again after each invitation.

Adding people on Mac

On a Mac, open FaceTime and start or join a call. Once the call is active, look at the top of the FaceTime window for the controls. You will see a button that looks like a person with a plus sign — click it to open your contacts.

Find the person you want to add by scrolling or searching, then click their name. FaceTime sends them an invitation to join. You can add more people by clicking the add person button again.

Troubleshooting when the add person button does not work

If you cannot find the add person button, make sure you are in an active call — the button only appears once the call has started. Tap or click the screen to bring up the controls if they have disappeared.

If the button is grayed out or inactive, the call may have reached 32 people. Ask someone to leave the call, and then you will be able to add another person. If you are trying to add someone and they do not appear in your contacts list, make sure you have their name spelled correctly or try searching by their phone number instead.

On some older devices or older versions of iOS or macOS, the add person feature may not be available. Make sure your device is running the latest version of its operating system. You can check this in Settings on iPhone and iPad, or in System Settings on Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone to a FaceTime call if they do not have FaceTime?

If they have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, they already have FaceTime. If they have an Android phone, they can download the FaceTime app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, they can receive and join FaceTime calls just like anyone else.

What if the person I want to add does not answer the invitation?

If they do not respond within a few minutes, the invitation expires. You can send another invitation by tapping the add person button again and selecting their name. There is no limit to how many times you can invite the same person.

Can I add someone to a FaceTime call that someone else started?

No, only the person who started the call can add new people. If you are in a call that someone else started and you want to add someone, you would need to ask the call organizer to add them for you.

Does the person I add get charged for joining the call?

No. FaceTime calls use your internet connection, not your phone plan's minutes. As long as the person you are adding has Wi-Fi or cellular data, there is no charge for them to join.

Can I remove someone from a FaceTime call after I add them?

Yes. During the call, tap the screen to show the controls, then tap the person's name or video tile. A menu appears with an option to remove them from the call. Only the person who started the call can remove others.