Many who are switching to a Galaxy smartphone for the first time often wonder can Samsung phones FaceTime? It might be that they're switching over from an iPhone or just have a lot of people in their social circle that use Apple's video calling app.
No other video calling service is as popular on iPhones as Apple's own, so much so that it has become an adjective. Like “Googling” something is the same as telling someone to run a search on the internet, so is “FaceTiming” for iOS users who want to make a video call.
So one can understand why those considering a shift would be interested to know can you FaceTime on a Samsung phone. It's all the more important in these pandemic times when most of us are relying mostly on video calling for both personal and professional needs.
Can Samsung phones FaceTime?
No, Samsung phones can't FaceTime. Apple doesn't make FaceTime available for Android devices. So no Android-powered smartphone, including the ones from Samsung, are able to run FaceTime. This is just one of the ways Apple keeps iOS users locked to its ecosystem. If they want to use FaceTime they will need to use a device made by Apple.
This isn't the end of the world, though. Just because you can't FaceTime on a Samsung phone doesn't mean you can't make a video call to a friend who uses an iPhone. There are plenty of third-party video calling services that work on both iOS and Android devices. You can use whichever one you like to make video calls to iOS devices.
FaceTime alternatives for Samsung phones
Now that you know it's not possible to download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, it's time to consider some FaceTime alternatives for Android. There are plenty of options to choose from. These days you can even make a video call on Instagram. Apps like Slack and Zoom that are used for communicating with colleagues offer this feature as well.
The best FaceTime alternatives for Android are those that are widely known services that many people already use. We have listed them as they're the easiest for even the most novice of users to get started with.
Skype
Skype has exceptional brand recognition because it has been around for so long. It's available for both iOS and Android devices in addition to Windows and Mac. You can make HD video calls between devices and also use its IM features for messaging. A whole host of other features make it a very useful app to have on your phone.
Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store
Facebook Messenger
Nothing bridges the video calling divide between iOS and Android devices quite like Facebook Messenger. Billions of people across the globe who use Facebook also use the standalone Messenger app for keeping in touch with friends and family. So even if you can't FaceTime on your Samsung phone, you can fire up Messenger and make a video call to an iPhone. You'll obviously need to be friends with that person on Facebook for this to work. Messenger also provides many features that enhance the video calling experience.
Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp may not be as ubiquitous in the US but billions of people in other parts of the world swear by it. In case you weren't aware, WhatsApp is also owned by Facebook. Its video calling functionality is robust as it supports both individual and group video calls. WhatsApp is also a great instant messaging app so you can really get the best of both worlds with it.
Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store
Google Duo
Google Duo is the native video calling solution for Android devices that's developed by Google itself. The app keeps things simple as it opens up the camera when the app is launched and shows the contacts lists so that you can easily get started. It's highly regarded for its exceptional video call quality. If both you and your friend have a recent Samsung flagship, you can use advanced Duo features like auto framing and even make Full HD (1080p) video calls with up to 8 people. A Google Duo app is available for iOS devices, thus making it a great FaceTime alternative when you need to video call an iPhone user.
Download on Google Play Store | Download on iOS App Store
So even though you can't download FaceTime on a Samsung phone, there are plenty of other options available. Seeing your friends who prefer to use the fruit company's devices isn't really that difficult. Just choose an app that works for the both of you and you're off to the races.
