October 2026
290 pages
6h 47m
English
Overview
Master Apple's video, audio, and text messaging tools!
Version 5.0, updated October 15, 2026
FaceTime, Messages, and Phone form the core of video, texting, and calling tools for Apple devices. In this book, Glenn Fleishman lays out your options to best understand, use, and customize these apps. Start by mastering (or reviewing) the basics of each app, then move into group calls and texts, using rich media, maintaining your privacy, and adding whimsy to conversations.
The book covers the FaceTime, Messages, and Phone apps on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. This edition is fully up to date with what’s new in macOS 27 Golden Gate, iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27, while also providing full coverage of the previous version 26 operating systems. This update also incorporates details on using Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, and covers special characteristics of the iPhone Duo.
You will learn how to:
- Master the basics of the FaceTime, Messages, and Phone apps
- Make and receive phone calls with the Phone app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch
- Filter and block unwanted phone calls and messages
- Work with the Filter menu and use it to show just what you need to see in an app
- Enable Live Translation to carry on a real-time conversation with someone who speaks another language via text or audio
- Let Siri AI and Apple Intelligence provide contextual information or suggestions in Messages and Phone and allow far better searching of archived messages and calls
You’ll learn about FaceTime capabilities such as:
- Managing the many filters and options for how you appear on a call
- How to use FaceTime for audio or video calls with one person or a group of up to 32 people
- How to work with audio input and output devices in FaceTime
- How to use enhanced audio (Mic Mode) and video (Portrait Mode) effects in FaceTime calls on supported devices
- How to place and receive FaceTime calls on an Apple TV using Continuity Camera
- How to use SharePlay, which lets parties carry on a FaceTime conversation while enjoying synchronized video, audio, or screen sharing
Find out things you never knew about Messages, including:
- Why some conversations in Messages use iMessage (blue bubbles for individuals, gray bubbles for businesses) while others use SMS/MMS/RCS (green bubbles)
- All about advanced Messages features, such as nested replies and person-to-person Apple Pay
- The fine points of scheduling a message for later delivery
- Why Messages isn’t just for text, but also for audio messages, Digital Touch effects, animations, and more
- How to use satellite features to send and receive iMessages when you’re outside cellular range
- Simple ways to create events and reminders from Messages conversations
- What to do when group chats get out of control
- How to create transcriptions of audio messages
Make better use of the Phone app:
- How to make phone calls (including emergency calls) using the Phone app from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch
- Manage call waiting or create conference calls
- Record a call (with permission and view a live transcript of the conversation in progress
- Screen calls by having the caller identify themselves and their reason for calling to an automated assistant
- Block unwanted calls without even hearing the Phone app ring
- How to use Live Voicemail to see the message a caller is leaving in real time
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