How To Video Chat (FaceTime) on a Windows PC

Jamie Read more August 2, 2021

Video chatting is one of the most popular and useful ways to communicate in today’s world. Apple products offer FaceTime as the default application for video chatting. A Windows version is not offered as FaceTime is a proprietary technology owned by Apple. Both companies seem content to leave well alone so no Windows version is expected at any time in the near future.

How To Video Chat (FaceTime) on a Windows PC

Remove “FaceTime for Windows”

Some websites may claim to offer a FaceTime app for Windows.It is likely that the vast majority of these programs are malware. If you have downloaded a program claiming to be FaceTime for Windows, you should remove it from your computer immediately.

If you have downloaded anything from websites purporting to offer FaceTime for Windows, uninstall it now.

Navigate to the installed programs folder on your computer and use the uninstall app if there is one by following these steps:

Use the search function to navigate to the “Control Panel.”
Hit “Uninstall a Program.”
Right click on anything labeled FaceTime, or any other suspicious looking programs, and click “Uninstall.”

Alternatively, use a third party program like CCleaner to force removal. Then run a full antivirus scan overnight to remove anything the fake app left behind. Then, run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to make sure there is nothing your antivirus missed.

FaceTime Alternatives for Windows

There are a number of FaceTime alternatives for Windows. Unfotunately, they are not cross-compatible. You won’t be able to interact with a FaceTime user; you will both have to be on the same video chat application.

Skype

Skype is the classic Windows alternative to FaceTime. It works in much the same way but is more open and will work on most devices, Windows, Apple, Android or whatever. Skype to Skype calls are free and you can Skype to a cell or landline too if you pay a modest sum for the call. Video and voice quality is usually very good and the app allows you to swap files, type messages and other stuff while you call too.

Jitsi

Jitsi is an open source video chat app that puts security front and center. It encrypts all traffic between computers so all of your traffic is safe. Voice and video calls cannot be monitored and you can even hold video conferences securely. While you can have an account and access premium services, you don’t actually need an account to use it, which is neat.

Facebook

You can make video calls on Facebook although many don’t realize it. While many may be dubious about giving the social network even more data to use against them, it is possible to use VoIP from within the platform. Use the Windows desktop app to call other Facebook users on desktop or mobile, for free. It works well and offers good call quality but no security.

Zoom

Zoom has become one of the most popular video call apps in recent times. It is free and easy to use. It offers support for large groups of people, making it very popular for academic and professional use. It is so popular that it has begun to rival FaceTime, even on Apple devices.

Wrapping Up

So as you know by now, there is no FaceTime for Windows and any website saying otherwise is not telling the truth. The good news is that there are lots of alternatives you can use between operating systems.

Got any other FaceTime alternatives for Windows? Tell us about them below if you do!