The fastest way to invite someone to FaceTime
You can send a FaceTime link through Messages, Mail, or any other app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The person who receives the link can join your call even if they don't have FaceTime — they'll open it in a web browser instead. You start the call first, then generate and share the link while the call is running.
The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to find the button. It works the same way across all Apple devices, and the link stays valid for as long as you want to use it.
Key Takeaways
- You must start a FaceTime call before you can create a link to share — you cannot generate a link for a call that hasn't begun yet.
- The link option appears in the call controls at the bottom of your screen, labeled "Share Link" or represented by a square with an arrow icon.
- People without Apple devices can join through a web browser by opening the link you send them, though they cannot initiate FaceTime calls this way.
- You can share the link through Messages, Mail, Notes, or any other app that lets you paste text or tap to share.
- The link remains active as long as you keep it, so you can reuse it for multiple calls or send it to people at different times.
How to create and share a FaceTime link on iPhone or iPad
Start a FaceTime call with at least one person. Once the call is connected, look at the bottom of your screen where the call controls appear — you'll see buttons for mute, speaker, camera, and more. Tap the three dots (more options) to reveal additional controls.
In that menu, tap "Share Link." Your device will copy the link to your clipboard. You can now open Messages, Mail, Notes, or any other app and paste the link, or you can tap "Share" to send it directly through your contacts or social apps. The person receiving the link can open it on any device with a web browser and join your call without needing FaceTime installed.
How to create and share a FaceTime link on Mac
Start a FaceTime call on your Mac. Once connected, look for the three dots in the call window's controls at the bottom. Click "Share Link" from that menu.
Your Mac will copy the link to your clipboard. Open Mail, Messages, or any other app where you want to send it and paste the link. You can also click the share icon (arrow pointing out of a box) to send it through your contacts or other apps directly from FaceTime.
What happens when someone opens your FaceTime link
When the person you sent the link to opens it, they'll see a screen asking them to enter their name. They type their name and tap "Join" — they don't need to sign in with an Apple ID or have FaceTime installed. The call will ring on your device, and you'll see their name appear as a request to join.
You can accept or decline the request just as you would with a regular FaceTime call. Once you accept, they join the call and can see and hear you. If you decline, they'll see a message that you're not available.
Sharing a link with multiple people at once
You can send the same FaceTime link to as many people as you want. Each person who opens the link will join the same call. There's no limit to how many people can join through a shared link, though call quality may degrade with very large groups.
You can send the link before the call starts (though they won't be able to join until you're in the call), or you can send it while people are already on the call and new people will join the existing conversation. The link works the same way either way.
Stopping a FaceTime link from being used
The link stays active as long as you keep it. If you want to prevent new people from joining, end the call — once you hang up, the link stops working and anyone who tries to open it will see a message that the call has ended.
There's no way to disable a link while the call is still running. If you've shared a link with someone and want to make sure they don't join, you'll need to end the call and start a new one with different people.
Differences between FaceTime links and regular FaceTime calls
A regular FaceTime call requires both people to have Apple devices and FaceTime installed. A FaceTime link works on any device with a web browser, so Android users, Windows users, and anyone without an Apple ID can join. This makes links useful when you're calling people outside your usual circle or when you're not sure what devices they have.
Links also let you share a call with a large group more easily than adding people one by one to a traditional FaceTime call. The trade-off is that people joining through a link see a slightly different interface than FaceTime users do, and they can't start their own FaceTime calls — they can only join ones you've created.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a FaceTime link before I start the call?
No. You must start the call first, then create the link from the call controls. You cannot generate a link for a call that hasn't begun. Once you create the link, you can share it with people before they join, but the call itself has to be active.
Do I need to be on the call the whole time people are using the link?
Yes. The link only works while you're in the call. If you hang up, anyone trying to open the link will see a message that the call has ended. You must stay on the call for others to join through the link.
Can someone on Android or Windows join a FaceTime call through a link?
Yes. They open the link in their web browser and enter their name to join. They don't need FaceTime installed or an Apple ID. The experience is slightly different from the FaceTime app, but they can see and hear everyone on the call.
What if I accidentally shared the link with the wrong person?
You can end the call to stop the link from working. If you want to continue calling with other people, you'll need to start a new call and create a new link. There's no way to revoke a link while keeping the call active.
Can I use the same FaceTime link for multiple calls?
The link is tied to the specific call you created it in. Once that call ends, the link stops working. If you want to call the same people again, you'll need to start a new call and create a new link.