This hidden FaceTime feature is incredibly useful – and surprised my own family


This hidden FaceTime feature is incredibly useful - and surprised my own family

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.


ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • FaceTime video messages work like voicemail for missed video calls.
  • Live Voicemail lets you leave audio messages from FaceTime audio.
  • Missed FaceTime messages appear in the recipient’s call history.

My editor told me the other day that she had spent the weekend showing two people how to use an apparently little-known FaceTime feature: video messages. That got me wondering whether my husband or my parents knew how to leave one when someone doesn’t answer a FaceTime video call. Spoiler alert: They didn’t, so I showed them how it works.

Also: Your iPhone RCS chats with Android are encrypted in iOS 26.5: How to verify E2E is enabled

It’s basically voicemail, but with video and only for FaceTime users. If you use FaceTime audio, there’s a related feature called Live Voicemail. Confused yet? Don’t worry. My family was, too, at first. Here’s how to use both.

How to leave a FaceTime video message

What you need: FaceTime video messages only work with FaceTime-compatible Apple devices. Apple says they can be received from saved contacts, people the recipient has called, and people suggested by Siri.

1. Start a FaceTime video call

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Let the call ring until the other person doesn’t answer. When it times out, FaceTime shows the option to record a video message. It appears only after a FaceTime video call goes unanswered, not before the call is placed.


Show more

2. Wait for the call to be missed

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
3. Tap Record Video

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Review (or retake) and then send

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

To view a FaceTime video message, open FaceTime and look for it in the call history. Tap the video thumbnail to play it. Messages can also be found by tapping a person’s name in FaceTime history, then checking Videos or Voicemails.


Show more

Find a FaceTime message later

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Optional: Leave a FaceTime audio voicemail

To place a FaceTime audio call instead of a video call, first enable Live Voicemail in settings. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Live Voicemail. Then place the FaceTime audio call as usual: Open FaceTime, tap New FaceTime, select a contact, and tap the phone icon. When the person doesn’t answer, FaceTime gives you the option to leave a voicemail.

Also: How to record an iPhone call (and where and when it’s legal to do so)

On the recipient’s end, a live transcript may appear while the message is being recorded, if it is long enough. After the FaceTime audio voicemail is left, the full message can be found in the Phone app under Voicemail.

Optional: Leave a FaceTime audio voicemail

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Why would I leave FaceTime voicemails?

For someone already using the FaceTime app to place a call, leaving a video message or audio voicemail is just as useful as leaving any other missed-call message. The Record Video option just makes it feel more personal because you can film yourself speaking.

Where do FaceTime video messages appear?

FaceTime video messages appear in the recipient’s FaceTime call history and as a notification. FaceTime audio voicemails are stored in the Phone app’s Voicemail inbox.

Is this the same as sending a video in Messages?

No. A FaceTime video message starts from a missed FaceTime video call and appears in the FaceTime app.

Can I leave a FaceTime voicemail from my desktop?

No. On a Mac desktop, I did not see the option to leave a FaceTime video message or voicemail if the person didn’t answer.


Show more





Source link

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, we promise.

Recent Reviews


Need Extra Funds, Fast? Now You Can Get Up to P50,000 with Maya Easy Credit

Sometimes, you need extra funds quickly. This isn’t always due to errors or issues, but because life’s circumstances can be unpredictable: bills may accumulate and overlap, expenses might come sooner than expected, or your paycheck might not have been deposited yet. These common situations can catch you off guard.

Borrow Up to P50,000 with Maya Easy Credit

Borrow Up to P50,000 with Maya Easy Credit

That’s precisely where Maya Easy Credit[1], from Maya, the nation’s top Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform, fits in.

Now with an increased limit of up to P50,000, Maya Easy Credit offers quick access to additional funds during urgent times. Whether you need to cover overlapping bills, manage expenses before your next paycheck, or just create more breathing room, it’s designed to support you through those moments—without adding complexity.

The reality is that many traditional options are created for larger, long-term commitments, which are often more than what’s necessary for a short-term gap.

Maya Easy Credit offers flexibility without long-term commitment. You can use it as a revolving credit line: borrow only what you need, repay within 30 days, and pay a service fee starting at 3.99%, calculated only on the used amount. It’s straightforward, transparent, and easy to manage.

Honestly, this change has been inevitable for a while. For years, credit was stigmatized — seen as something to avoid and only used when problems arose. However, daily financial management no longer operates that way.

Lately, the focus is less on major emergencies and more on timing. Your expenses (gastos) don’t always align with your salary (sweldo), and often, the real challenge isn’t about affording something but having the funds available at the moment.

That’s why credit is beginning to seem different. No longer a last resort, but a useful instrument—something you can rely on when appropriate: short-term, adaptable, and straightforward to handle, providing just enough to keep progress steady.

Since Maya Easy Credit is integrated into the app you already use for payments and savings, it offers a seamless experience. You can check your available credit and make repayments directly within the app—no paperwork, no collateral, no additional steps. It provides instant access whenever you need it.

Having that option alters your perspective on managing money. What’s truly changing isn’t only how people utilize credit, but also how it integrates into daily life. It’s no longer just a resource for emergencies; it’s increasingly a part of everyday financial handling.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes—just a little extra to keep things moving.

To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www.bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.

Follow and subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com  on  Facebook Twitter Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube  for more Travel-related updates.

Read: Get Summer-Ready: Boost Your Travel Fund with Maya





Source link