FaceTime may be meant for video calls, but here's how FaceTime Audio has been a lifesaver

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When regular calls fall apart, FaceTime Audio just works

FaceTime Audio on an iPhone
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

As much as modern smartphones are about AI features, camera quality or gaming ability, you can't ignore their primary job as a communications device. And fortunately for Apple fans, the core iPhone experience still holds up really well.

Regular software updates, continuity features across Apple devices, and FaceTime are some of the big reasons I've stuck with the iPhone over the years. FaceTime, in fact, has become my default for personal video calls. More than that, I've also found myself using FaceTime Audio far more often than expected recently, and there's a good chance you could end up doing the same.

Cellular call quality has seriously declined in my area

As much as network technology has advanced with standards like Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and now even 6G, one core aspect of cellular networks has suffered along the way, and that is reliable calling quality.

Even though network speeds have improved, call quality in my area has degraded badly over the past couple of years. Call drops, long connection times, and broken audio have become common, to the point where I've found myself avoiding calls altogether and leaving people WhatsApp messages instead.

Of course, you cannot cut voice calls out of your life altogether, and that is where FaceTime Audio has been a lifesaver for me. It's been around for years, but I've only recently come to appreciate how reliable it is and how good an alternative it can be to regular network calling.

FaceTime Audio on an iPhone

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

FaceTime Audio calls are far more useful than expected

If you are unaware, FaceTime Audio calls are exactly what they sound like - the audio-only version of FaceTime. You receive and answer these calls just like a regular cellular call on an iPhone, but instead of using your carrier network, it relies on Wi-Fi or mobile data.

If you've used WhatsApp or Telegram calls before, the idea is similar. FaceTime Audio uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), but because it is built directly into iOS, it feels far more native. You still get features like Contact Posters, voice isolation, and the option to switch to a FaceTime video call with a single tap.

It does require the other person to be on an Apple device, but the overall experience is far more reliable than most third-party calling apps.

What has really made me switch, though, is call quality. A one-minute WhatsApp call uses roughly 250 KB of data, while the same call on FaceTime Audio uses around 1.5 to 2 MB. Using more data may sound alarming to people on limited data plans, but the improvement in quality is easily noticeable, with clearer audio and a fuller, more natural sound.

Plus, it also comes in handy during international travel. When you're saving calling minutes for serious situations, you can rely on FaceTime Audio over Wi-Fi and avoid using cellular minutes altogether. Moreover, similar to standard FaceTime calls, FaceTime Audio is secured with end-to-end encryption using industry-standard AES-256 and SRTP encryption.

FaceTime Audio on an iPhone

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

How to make FaceTime Audio calls on your iPhone

Making a FaceTime Audio call on an iPhone is pretty simple. Here's how you can get it working on your device:

1. Make sure FaceTime is enabled on your iPhone

Before you can use FaceTime Audio, make sure FaceTime is enabled on your iPhone. To check, open the Settings app, go to Apps, and select FaceTime. Ensure the toggle next to FaceTime is turned on.

You can also choose which identifiers linked to your Apple account, like your phone number or email address, can be used to receive FaceTime calls.

If you want, you can also set FaceTime Audio as your default calling app by tapping Default Calling App and selecting FaceTime Audio.

2. Make a FaceTime Audio call using the Phone app

The easiest way to place a FaceTime Audio call is through the Phone app. Open the contact you want to call, then tap and hold the phone icon.

From the menu that appears, select FaceTime Audio and choose the phone number or email address you want to use for the call.

3. Make a FaceTime Audio call using the FaceTime app

You can also place a FaceTime Audio call using the FaceTime app if you prefer.

Open the FaceTime app, tap the New Call button at the bottom, and search for the contact you want to call.

Once selected, tap the phone icon on the right to start a FaceTime Audio call. Do not tap the center FaceTime button, as that will initiate a video call.

This is how you can easily get FaceTime Audio working on your Apple device, and trust me, once you start using it regularly over other voice calling options, you'll likely be impressed enough by the quality to stick with it.

That said, it's worth noting that FaceTime, and thus FaceTime Audio, is not available in some countries. This includes China, and the feature can also be unreliable in places like the United Arab Emirates. These regions either restrict or don't support VoIP, which prevents iPhone users from making FaceTime calls, so it's worth checking local support beforehand.

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Sanuj Bhatia
Sanuj Bhatia
Contributor

Sanuj is a tech writer covering smartphones, tablets, and wearables for Tom's Guide. He also contributes to Android Central, Android Police, and Pocket-Lint. He started his tech journey with a Nokia Lumia before diving into both Android and iPhone. When he's not testing gadgets, he's usually sipping tea, watching football, or playing cricket.

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