Smart TVs & Facetime: 9 Answers (For Beginners)

If you’re an Apple user, chances are you’ve used Facetime as a communication tool. Many people prefer using Facetime over phone calls, given that it can do video calls. Plus, it is native to Apple devices, so you are guaranteed stability.

But sometimes, using Facetime can be a chore when doing group video calls. It can be a challenge to use such a small screen to talk to your friends or colleagues.

One way to improve your Facetiming experience is to cast or mirror your call onto your smart TV for more screen real-estate.

Here’s What You Need to Know about Smart TVs and Facetime.

Facetime is a video call app from Apple that is only available on iOS and Mac devices such as the iPhone. There is no app for Facetime available for smart TVs. However, you can cast your Facetime calls onto your smart TV using Airplay or another app.

1. How Can I FaceTime on My TV without Apple TV?

If you don’t have an Apple TV box, you can connect FaceTime from your Mac or iOS device in multiple ways. Here are a few options:

AirPlay

AirPlay is Apple’s screen mirroring system that lets you mirror your screen wirelessly to a compatible device.

Some smart TVs have incorporated AirPlay into their features, thus removing the need to use an Apple TV Box.

Smart TV brands that have included AirPlay in their features include Vizio, LG, and Sony.

HDMI Lightning Port Dongle

The HDMI Lighting Port option is a cheap and relatively simple option to get FaceTime on your TV.

You only need to plug the HDMI dongle into your iPhone or iPad and plug the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port.

Switching to the HDMI source on your TV will mirror your phone or tablet’s screen onto your smart TV screen.

LetsView app

LetsView is a free-to-download Android TV app that lets your mirror content from your iOS device to your TV.

To use LetsView:

• Download the app onto both your iOS device and Android TV.
• Connect your Android TV and iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network, then open the app on both devices.
• Go to the Control Center of your iOS device and click on Screen Mirroring. Look for LetsView and then your TV.
• The screen of your iOS device will now be mirrored to your TV.

AirBeam app

AirBeam is an app that lets you wirelessly display content from your iOS device onto a smart TV.

If you use a Samsung smart TV, AirBeam is a good option since AirPlay is not available on Samsungs.

To use AirBeam:

• Download the app on your iOS device and make sure your Samsung smart TV and device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Open the Control Center of your device and go to Screen Recording.
• Click on your TV’s name, and the screen of your device will then be mirrored to the Samsung TV.

2. Can All Smart TVs Connect to Facetime?

Smart TVs can’t connect to Facetime as there is no available app for smart TVs.

You can only mirror your screen from the device you’re using to Facetime to your smart TV.

Smart TVs that can mirror screens from iOS or Mac computers without the need for extra apps or hardware are made by Vizio, LG, and Sony, to name a few.

Other brands, like Samsung, will need mirroring apps.

Refer to Question 1 for more details. 

3. How Do You Use Facetime with a Smart TV?

If you want to use Facetime with a smart TV, you will need to mirror your device’s screen to your smart TV or use an HDMI Lightning Port Dongle. There is no Facetime app for smart TVs.

Refer to Question 1 for more details. 

4. What Are the Best Smart TVs for Facetime?

If you are looking for a smart TV that you can use to mirror Facetime from your Mac or iOS device, here are some suggestions. The smart TVs suggested below all have AirPlay built into them.

LG CX

The LG CX is one of the most competitively priced smart TVs on the market, given its features.

It features a 4k OLED display, wide viewing angles, and it can handle reflection and glare in well-lit environments.

This smart TV also comes with AirPlay, giving you a seamless screen mirroring experience for Facetime calls.

Sony A8H

Sony’s A8H smart TV is much like the CX by LG. They both have 4k displays, OLED panels and can handle glare and reflections. Both smart TVs also have AirPlay for screen mirroring Apple Devices.

What sets them apart is the A8H’s slightly superior image quality, which might be undetectable for some viewers.

Thus, if you’re torn between the two, it would be best to check out how each performs personally before you make a decision and to compare current price points.

Vizio P Series

The Vizio P Series is a budget pick with 4k resolution, an LED screen, crisp images, and great handling of well-lit environments.

It also comes with Apple AirPlay, so you can mirror your Apple device to the TV for Facetime calls.

For more suggestions, check out our article 4 Smart TVs Compatible With Screen Mirroring. 

5. Where Do I Find the Facetime App for My Smart TV?

Facetime does not have a smart TV app for any TV.

You will need a mirroring app, an HDMI Lightning Port Dongle, or Airplay and an iPhone or Mac computer to display Facetime on your smart TV.

6. Can You Mirror Facetime Calls from Your iPhone to a Smart TV?

You can mirror Facetime calls from your iPhone to a smart TV if you have a mirroring app or Airplay.

The best way to mirror from your iPhone is through AirPlay, which is Apple’s proprietary mirroring system.

7. Can You Mirror Facetime Calls from Your iPhone to a Chromecast?

If your smart TV does not have AirPlay, you can opt to use a Chromecast to mirror your Facetime call to a smart TV.

Apps like Screen Mirror for Chromecast and Replica let you mirror content from your iOS device to a Chromecast or Chromecast-enabled smart TV.

Between Chromecast and AirPlay, more manufacturers have adopted Chromecast due to its efficiency. A Chromecast dongle is also cheaper than buying a whole new TV with AirPlay hardware onboard.

To learn more about Chromecast, check out our article Smart TV Vs. Chromecast? 14 Easy Answers (For Beginners). 

8. Do Smart TVs Have Webcams and Microphones?

Some smart TVs have webcams and microphones built into them.

While these can be used with select video conferencing apps, they are not compatible with Facetime.

9. Where Can I Find the Webcams and Microphones of Smart TVs?

Should your smart TV have a built-in webcam and microphone, you can find them located in the middle of the TV’s upper bezel.

In some cases, these cameras and microphones are hidden and retract from behind the bezels of the smart TV.

To learn more about smart TVs and external mics and webcams, check out our article Smart TVs & Video Conferencing: 12 Answers (For Beginners).

Final Thoughts

While there is no Facetime app available for smart TVs, mirroring Facetime onto a smart TV or using an HDMI Lightning Port Dongle are great options.

Just remember to close out of apps you aren’t using for a smoother performance!

Please also read our article with troubleshooting tips for headphones not working on FaceTime. 

Sources:

Best Ways to Mirror iPhone to TV without Apple TV

How to FaceTime on Your Apple TV

FaceTime: Everything You Need to Know