Take Control of FaceTime and Messages, 3rd Edition

Learn Common App Features

Apple has three core messaging and communications apps: FaceTime, Messages, and Phone (Figure 1). Each has a different focus and purpose, although there’s some overlap and integration among them.

Figure 1: The core messaging apps across Apple’s operating systems, shown with their modern, flat icons.

Here’s how you can understand the distinctions among the three:

• FaceTime: The FaceTime app in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS lets you create video calls with one or more other people as well as audio-only calls. FaceTime in tvOS allows video calls, but requires an iPhone or iPad; watchOS relies on its Phone app for FaceTime audio ...