FaceTime with up to 32 people simultaneously with Group FaceTime

Since Tuesday, October 30, Group FaceTime and more than 70 new emoji are available in the iPhone and the iPad. Within iOS 12.1 users can use Group FaceTime, enabling users to chat from 2 to 32 people.

How to create a Group FaceTime

To add another person, join an active FaceTime call and then you can invite other persons for the call. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Automatic detection of speakers

Automatic detection of active speakers: FaceTime uses on-device intelligence to display the most prominent speakers on the call, automatically highlighting the current speaker by bringing them to the forefront.

Automatic size

It automatically sizes each person’s image depending upon how active they are in the conversation, based on the duration of the speech, volume, and even motion.

How users join a call

Participants who are not active will appear at the bottom of the screen until they speak. A simple tap also brings a participant front and center.

Ringless notification

When calling more than one person, FaceTime displays a notification that lets you instantly join a call without being disruptive.

Messages integration

Group FaceTime is integrated into the Messages app, making it easy to start a Group FaceTime right from a group iMessage chat. If people in a conversation have already started a FaceTime session, Messages shows the active call in the conversation list and inside your conversations.

Private

Apple says all FaceTime conversations, both one-to-one and multi-person, are encrypted end to end so they remain private and viewable only by the participants.