How to start or join a FaceTime call from your Apple TV 4K

You can make FaceTime calls directly from Apple TV 4K or answer incoming audio or video calls. Recent calls and contacts from a connected iPhone or iPad appear in the FaceTime app, and before you start, your iPhone or iPad needs to be set up to use FaceTime.

During a call, Center Stage keeps everyone in the room framed, even as they move around. You can also turn on Live Captions or start SharePlay.

Before you begin

Make sure your iPhone or iPad is set up to use FaceTime.

Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad, tap FaceTime, and then turn on FaceTime.
Sign in to FaceTime with your Apple Account, if you haven’t already.

Make a FaceTime call from Apple TV 4K

Go to the FaceTime app on Apple TV 4K and connect an iPhone or iPad as a Continuity Camera if you haven’t already.

Recent calls and contacts from the connected iPhone or iPad appear in the FaceTime app on Apple TV 4K.

Note: If you’ve set up iPhone as a dedicated Continuity Camera, only Favorites are available in the FaceTime app.
To start a call, do either of the following:
- Select a recipient from the list of recent FaceTime calls.
- Select New, select a contact (or more than one contact for a group call), then select FaceTime Video or FaceTime Audio.

Answer an incoming FaceTime call on Apple TV 4K

When an incoming FaceTime video or audio call notification appears on Apple TV 4K, press the TV button on the remote, then select Accept or Decline.

Quick tip: To prevent unwanted FaceTime calls associated with your mobile phone number, open Settings > FaceTime on your iPhone, then deselect your phone number in the You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At section. You can still receive FaceTime calls associated with your Apple Account.

Use FaceTime controls during a call on Apple TV 4K

Before and during the call, you can adjust any of these onscreen controls:

Center Stage: Select the Center Stage button to turn on Center Stage, which keeps everyone in the room perfectly framed, even as they move around.
Portrait: Select the Portrait Mode button to turn on Portrait mode, which focuses on the subject and blurs the background image.
Reactions: Select the Reactions button to recognize hand gestures that generate onscreen effects, such as hearts or fireworks.

While you’re on the call, show controls to do any of the following:

Add additional people to the call: Select the More button, select Add People, select one or more contacts from your contacts list, then select “Add people.”
Turn on Live Captions: Select the More button, then select Live Captions.

To keep Live Captions on by default, see Turn on Live Captions in FaceTime on Apple TV 4K.

Note: Live Captions are available in the following languages: Chinese/Mandarin, Cantonese, English (Australian), English (British), English (Indian), English (Singapore), French (France), French (Canadian), German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish (Mexican) & Spanish (US). Accuracy of Live Captions may vary and should not be relied upon in high-risk or emergency situations.

By default, Live Captions appear in the lower center of the screen. To expand the caption view to its own space on the left side of the screen, highlight a caption, then select the Expand button. To reduce the caption view, select the Reduce button.
Start SharePlay: Select the More button, then select SharePlay and choose the app you want to use for SharePlay. See Watch together using SharePlay on Apple TV 4K.
Mute the microphone: Select the Mute button.
Turn the camera on or off: Select the Camera button.
End the call: Select the End button.

Quick tip: While you’re on a FaceTime call, a FaceTime indicator appears in Control Center. You can access FaceTime controls by pressing and holding the TV button to open Control Center, then navigating to the FaceTime tab.

Use Apple TV 4K while on a FaceTime call

While you’re on a FaceTime call, you can keep using Apple TV 4K. Go back to the Home Screen, for example, then start watching a movie, a TV show, or sports, and adjust the layout so you see both the FaceTime call and what you’re watching.

Start a FaceTime call or answer an incoming FaceTime call on Apple TV 4K.
During the call, press the Back button or the Menu button on your remote to go to the Home Screen.

The FaceTime call appears in a smaller window while you navigate the Home Screen or other apps on Apple TV 4K.
To see more viewing options, press the TV button on the remote. Do any of the following:
- Change the layout: Select the Layout button. Choose Picture in Picture, Split View, Full Screen, or Move.
- Hide the FaceTime call: Select the Hide button. To show the FaceTime call again, press the TV button on the remote.
- End the call: Select the End button.