It is disappointing when you wish to join FaceTime with your friends only to realize you are not using an Apple device. The post has explained how to FaceTime on Chromebook and the best alternatives you can trust to FaceTime on a Chromebook.
How To FaceTime on Chromebook
FaceTime is a software application developed by Apple, and it has made video chats seamless among Apple users. If you are busy, you can talk to Siri and let it do a FaceTime with a given contact. The ease and efficiency of FaceTime have made many users desire to use it on other platforms like Chromebook. Unfortunately, it is impossible to use FaceTime on Chromebook because Apple has not yet made the application cross-platform. Chromebook being a Google OS, it cannot use FaceTime, but you can use other alternatives to do a video chat. Apple had the idea of making FaceTime a cross-platform app, but it was prevented in a lawsuit by VirtNetX. Until the patent rights of VirtNetX expire, Apple cannot proceed to make FaceTime usable on devices like Chromebook. Still, if you use FaceTime, you must find an Apple device that can access the software. But, if you want to use Chromebook, you can use the best FaceTime alternatives explained in the following section.
Best Alternatives To FaceTime on Chromebook
Because FaceTime cannot be used on Chromebook, it doesn’t mean you cannot do a video chat on a Chromebook. You can use numerous alternatives in the market, and the good news is that most of them are cross-platform, meaning they can be used on Apple devices, Google, and other devices without restrictions. Below are some of the best FaceTime alternatives you can use on a Chromebook.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is one of the Google applications with great features that allow you to do video chats with friends and relatives. Besides facilitating video chats, you can do voice calls and share photos, GIFs, emojis, and maps. Moreover, if you wish to do a group call, Google Hangouts allows you to achieve that, and you can have a video chat with up to ten people. It doesn’t matter which device you use because Google Hangout is cross-platform, and Android, iOS, Chrome, and web users can exploit the application’s features.
Zoom
Zoom has established itself as the most used video-conferencing application. During the COVID pandemic, Zoom was the best alternative for companies, colleges, and other organizations that wished to hold large video chat sessions. Depending on the purpose of your video chats, you can subscribe to a paid Zoom or use the free version. Moreover, Zoom allows you to enter into a video chat with several participants.
Skype
Skype is an instant communication software by Microsoft. Skype comes with convenient features and allows users to do various things like making voice calls, sharing live screens, chats, and video calls to which up to 100 people can participate. Moreover, Skype is cross-platform and affordable. The only requirement you need is a great internet connection.
Google Meet
Google Meet is an excellent video-conferencing application that allows you to do video conferences for free. The software is suitable for large companies and allows you to schedule meetings on Google calendar for reminders. Before exploiting the features of Google Meet, you must sign up for a Google account. Also, Google Meet allows you to add up to 250 participants and 10,000 viewers on a live stream.
Google Duo
Google Duo is another suitable alternative to FaceTime. Google designed Google Duo to enable users to do video calls for free. Like Apple has FaceTime and Microsoft has Skype for video calls, Google developed Google Duo to serve the same purpose. The applications offer high-quality video call services, which can be utilized on Chromebook and other devices, including all iOS devices. The advantage of Google Duo is that it can run on any OS and offers the highest-quality video calls.
Conclusion
FaceTime has proved to be an efficient application for video calls on iOS devices. Although Apple intended to make FaceTime cross-platform, it was unsuccessful, meaning you cannot use FaceTime on Chromebook. But if you wish to use an application that works like FaceTime, read this post to discover the best five alternatives you can use.
