How to Make a FaceTime Video Call on iPad — Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Make sure FaceTime is switched on

   Before your first call, confirm FaceTime is enabled. Go to Settings on your iPad — the grey icon with gears. Scroll down the list and tap FaceTime. At the top of the screen, make sure the toggle is green. If it is already green, FaceTime is ready and you can move to step 2.

   If it is grey, tap the toggle once to turn it on. Your iPad will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID — use the email address and password for your Apple account.

   Tip: You only need to do this check once. After FaceTime is turned on, it stays on unless you manually switch it off.

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2. 2

   Open the FaceTime app

   Find the FaceTime app on your home screen — it has a bright green icon with a white video camera shape in the middle. Tap it to open it.

   You will see a list of recent calls, or an empty screen if this is your first time using FaceTime. Either way, the steps are the same from here.

   Tip: If you cannot find FaceTime on your home screen, swipe down from the middle of the screen and type "FaceTime" into the search bar at the top.

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3. 3

   Tap New FaceTime and search for the person

   In the top-right corner of the FaceTime screen, tap New FaceTime — it has a small video camera icon with a plus sign. A search bar will appear at the top.

   Type the name of the person you want to call. If they are saved in your iPad's contacts, their name will appear in a list below the search bar. Tap their name to select them. A green or blue bubble with their name appears above the keyboard.

   If they are not in your contacts, type their phone number or email address instead — whichever they used to set up their Apple ID.

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4. 4

   Tap the green video button to start the call

   After selecting the person, you will see two buttons: a green phone icon for an audio-only call, and a green video camera icon for a video call. Tap the green video camera button.

   Your screen will show a preview of your own face in a small box while it rings. When the other person answers, their face will appear on the main screen and yours will move to a small picture-in-picture in the corner.

   Tip: If the call goes to voicemail, wait a moment and try again — the person may not have heard their device ring the first time.

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5. 5

   End the call when you are finished

   To end the call, tap anywhere on the screen to bring up the controls if they are not visible, then tap the red circle button at the bottom of the screen. The call ends immediately and both sides return to their normal screens.

   There is no need to wait for the other person to hang up first — tapping the red button ends the call for both of you at the same time.

If It's Not Working — Common Fixes

• The call connects but the other person cannot hear me

  Check that your iPad is not on silent — look for a small switch on the side edge of your iPad and make sure no orange is showing. Also check that your hand is not covering the microphone — a small hole on the bottom edge of the iPad. If the problem continues, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and confirm FaceTime is turned on.

• I can see myself but not the person I'm calling

  Their camera may be turned off — ask them to tap the camera icon on their screen. If they show as a black screen, they may not be running a compatible version of the software. Ask them to check their device is updated. If their side shows a green circle with their initials, their camera is off on their end.

• My face appears sideways or upside down

  Your iPad's rotation lock is on. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Centre and look for the padlock with a circular arrow. If it is highlighted or white, tap it to turn the rotation lock off. Your iPad will then rotate to match how you hold it.

• The call keeps dropping or freezing

  Move closer to your Wi-Fi router. If other people in the house are streaming video or downloading files, the connection may be too slow — ask them to pause temporarily. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting one minute before trying again.

• I cannot find FaceTime in my Settings list

  Swipe down from the middle of the Settings screen to reveal a search bar at the top, then type "FaceTime." It will appear immediately. Alternatively, FaceTime is located in Settings below the Screen Time section — scroll past Notifications, Sounds, and Focus to find it.

Recommended for iPad Video Calling

Common Questions About FaceTime on iPad

• Does the person I'm calling need an iPhone or iPad to receive a FaceTime call?

  They need an Apple device — iPhone, iPad, or Mac — for a direct FaceTime call. However, Apple added a feature where you can send a FaceTime link that Android phones and Windows computers can join through their web browser. In FaceTime, tap Create Link and share the link via text or email.

• Why does my face appear sideways or upside down on FaceTime?

  Your rotation lock is on, which prevents the screen from rotating when you turn your iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Centre and tap the padlock icon with a circular arrow to turn rotation lock off. Your iPad will then match the direction you are holding it.

• The other person cannot hear me on FaceTime. What should I check?

  Check three things: first, that the iPad is not on silent (look for the side switch — no orange should be visible). Second, that your hand or case is not covering the small microphone hole on the bottom edge. Third, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and confirm FaceTime has microphone permission turned on.

• How do I make the other person's face larger during a FaceTime call?

  Tap directly on their video tile and it will expand to fill most of the screen. You can also pinch outward with two fingers on their video to zoom in further. To move your own small preview to a different corner, press and drag it to wherever is convenient.

• Can I use FaceTime without Wi-Fi?

  Yes, if your iPad has a cellular data plan. If it is Wi-Fi only — which is the case for most iPads — you need a Wi-Fi connection to make FaceTime calls. To check, look at the top of your screen: if you see mobile signal bars alongside the Wi-Fi symbol, your iPad can use cellular data.

• The call keeps dropping or the picture is very blurry. What can I do?

  Both are caused by a slow or unstable internet connection. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router and ask others in the house to pause any video streaming or large downloads during your call. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also try ending and restarting the call, which often reconnects at better quality.

Related Guides

Last updated: April 2026.
This guide was written for all iPads running iPadOS 15 or later. The steps are the same across iPadOS 15 through iPadOS 18. If your iPad is running an older version, go to Settings → General → Software Update to update it.