FaceTime
Use FaceTime to make video and audio calls from your Mac to a friend or a group of friends. You can also use your iPhone or iPad with your Mac in new ways with FaceTime, by handing off calls between devices or using your iPhone camera as a webcam.
Siri: Say something like: “Make a FaceTime call to Sharon.”
Make a FaceTime call. Use the built-in FaceTime HD camera on your Mac to make FaceTime video calls. Click New FaceTime, enter a name, phone number, or email address for the person you want to call, then click FaceTime. If it’s not convenient to make a video call, click the pop-up menu and select FaceTime Audio to make an audio-only call. When you receive a FaceTime invitation, you can choose to join with video or just audio.
Tip: While a video call is in progress, you can drag the small picture-in-picture window to any corner of the FaceTime window.
Hand off a FaceTime call. Start a FaceTime call on your iPhone when you’re out of the house, then hand off that call to your Mac when you’re back at your desk. Or take a FaceTime call from your Mac, and switch to another device when you need to. If you have Bluetooth headphones connected, they make the switch too.
To handoff a FaceTime call from your iPhone or iPad to your iMac, click 
in the menu bar on your Mac, click Switch, then click Join in the FaceTime window on your iMac. To hand off a FaceTime call from your iMac to your iPhone or iPad, tap in the upper left of your iPhone or iPad, tap Switch, then tap Switch again.
Use your iPhone as a webcam. Harness the power of your iPhone camera for FaceTime calls on your Mac. Keep your iPhone stable and in landscape orientation—for example, place it in a stand—with the screen off and the back cameras facing you. On your Mac, go to FaceTime > Video, then select your iPhone from the list. On iPhone 11 or newer, the Ultra Wide camera allows you to use Center Stage, which means the call stays centered on you as you move. You can choose other video effects by clicking 
in the menu bar, then choosing from the options, like Portrait mode. See Use video conferencing features in the macOS User Guide to learn more.
Share your screen. When you’re on a call with FaceTime or another supported videoconferencing app, you can easily share an app or multiple apps right from the window you are in. Hold the pointer over the 
in the top-left of your window, and click Share on FaceTime. You can also overlay your video with your shared screen. Choose from two overlays, large and small. The large overlay keeps the spotlight on you, with your screen framed next to you on a separate layer, while the small overlay makes you appear in a movable bubble over your shared screen. Click in the menu bar, then choose large or small under Presenter Overlay.
Show what’s in front of you. With Desk View, when you use your iPhone as a webcam for your iMac, you can not only show your face, but can share what’s in front of you. To share with Desk View in a FaceTime call, set up your iPhone as a webcam, then click Desk View in the upper right of the FaceTime window on your Mac. Or click in the menu bar, then choose Desk View. Use the controls to align your desk to the window, then click Share Desk View. To stop sharing Desk View, click 
on the Desk View window. Desk View is available on iPhone 11 or newer.
Note: To hand off a FaceTime call or use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, you must have Continuity Camera turned on in AirPlay & Handoff settings on your iPad or iPhone, and you must be signed into your iPhone, iPad, and your iMac with the same Apple ID. Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac need Bluetooth, WiFi, and Handoff turned on. For additional requirements and to learn more, see Use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac.
Use FaceTime with a group. You can connect with up to 32 people in a group call. Make a unique link to share with a group. Click Create Link. Copy the link to your Clipboard or share directly with friends in Messages or Mail. You can now use a link to join FaceTime calls on non-Apple devices.
Tip: Add a FaceTime link to a Calendar event to schedule a call for later.
React to the conversation. Add a reaction that fills the camera frame with fun 3D effects like hearts, confetti, fireworks, and more. Click in the menu bar, click the menu next to Reactions, then choose a reaction. You can also share a reaction with just a hand gesture. Make sure the icon next to Reactions is green, and see Use video effects during FaceTime calls in the FaceTime User Guide for a list of all the hand gestures you can use to react.
Sign language recognition and Live Captions. FaceTime detects when a participant is using sign language and makes the person prominent in a Group FaceTime call. FaceTime Live Captions detect what’s said and present real-time captions for the active speaker.
Watch and listen together. Use SharePlay to watch and listen together on Mac. You can also share your screen during a FaceTime call. Click the SharePlay icon 
to start. See Connect with others.
Note: Some apps that support SharePlay require a subscription to participate. Not all features and content are available in all countries or regions.
Make a phone call. If you have an iPhone with iOS 8 or later, make phone calls from your Mac using FaceTime. Just make sure that your Mac and iPhone are signed in with the same Apple ID account, and that both have the feature turned on. (On your Mac, open FaceTime, choose FaceTime > Settings, then select “Calls from iPhone.”)
Note: Your iMac and iPhone must be connected to the internet and the same Wi-Fi network in order to make or receive calls on your iMac.
Learn more. See the FaceTime User Guide.