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Key takeaways
- FaceTime video messages work like voicemail for missed video calls.
- Live Voicemail lets you leave audio messages from FaceTime audio.
- Missed FaceTime messages appear in the recipient's call history.
My editor told me the other day that she had spent the weekend showing two people how to use an apparently little-known FaceTime feature: video messages. That got me wondering whether my husband or my parents knew how to leave one when someone doesn't answer a FaceTime video call. Spoiler alert: They didn't, so I showed them how it works.
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It's basically voicemail, but with video and only for FaceTime users. If you use FaceTime audio, there's a related feature called Live Voicemail. Confused yet? Don't worry. My family was, too, at first. Here's how to use both.
How to leave a FaceTime video message
What you need: FaceTime video messages only work with FaceTime-compatible Apple devices. Apple says they can be received from saved contacts, people the recipient has called, and people suggested by Siri.
1. Start a FaceTime video call
To start a FaceTime video call, open FaceTime, tap New Call, choose a contact, and select FaceTime. To make an audio call instead, tap the phone icon from the same screen.
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FaceTime calls can also be started from Messages, Contacts, or Recents.
2. Wait for the call to be missed
Let the call ring until the other person doesn't answer. When it times out, FaceTime shows the option to record a video message. It appears only after a FaceTime video call goes unanswered, not before the call is placed.
3. Tap Record Video
Tap Record Video on the missed-call screen. FaceTime will start a countdown, then the recording begins.
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4. Review (or retake) and then send
After recording the message, preview the video before sending it. If it looks fine, send it. If there's a mistake, retake it. Make sure to tap the send button to actually send the video message when done. The recipient will see a notification, and the video message will appear as a thumbnail in the recipient's FaceTime call history.
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5. Find a FaceTime message later
To view a FaceTime video message, open FaceTime and look for it in the call history. Tap the video thumbnail to play it. Messages can also be found by tapping a person's name in FaceTime history, then checking Videos or Voicemails.
Optional: Leave a FaceTime audio voicemail
To place a FaceTime audio call instead of a video call, first enable Live Voicemail in settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Live Voicemail. Then place the FaceTime audio call as usual: Open FaceTime, tap New FaceTime, select a contact, and tap the phone icon. When the person doesn't answer, FaceTime gives you the option to leave a voicemail.
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On the recipient's end, a live transcript may appear while the message is being recorded, if it is long enough. After the FaceTime audio voicemail is left, the full message can be found in the Phone app under Voicemail.
FAQs
Why would I leave FaceTime voicemails?
For someone already using the FaceTime app to place a call, leaving a video message or audio voicemail is just as useful as leaving any other missed-call message. The Record Video option just makes it feel more personal because you can film yourself speaking.
Where do FaceTime video messages appear?
FaceTime video messages appear in the recipient's FaceTime call history and as a notification. FaceTime audio voicemails are stored in the Phone app's Voicemail inbox.
Is this the same as sending a video in Messages?
No. A FaceTime video message starts from a missed FaceTime video call and appears in the FaceTime app.
Can I leave a FaceTime voicemail from my desktop?
No. On a Mac desktop, I did not see the option to leave a FaceTime video message or voicemail if the person didn't answer.
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