Archived Thread

NFT: Using FaceTime Abroad

Samiam : 6/26/2017 3:53 pm

I've googled this and can't find the answer; maybe someone here can help. If a caller uses FaceTime abroad on wifi to call the US, it's free for the caller. If the recipient in the US is using Wif, it's also free. If the recipient is using data, they'll be charged data minutes. Will the recipient be charged extra minutes or fees because the FaceTime call originated from abroad? Thanks for any help.

No..

FatMan in Charlotte : 6/26/2017 3:55 pm : link

you'll just be charged for any excess data Facetime might cause.

I Facetime as my means of communicating with home when I'm overseas, because I'll do it from the WiFi at the hotel. My wife and kids are frequently not home and we don't have any issues.

If I understood you correctly...

Dan in the Springs : 6/26/2017 3:56 pm : link

the answer is no. There are no additional charges beyond the data charges. You can stream video (live or otherwise) and all it uses is data packets.

I don't work for a cell company but I understand the technology enough to be very confident in this answer.

There are also other free services/apps

markky : 6/26/2017 8:39 pm : link

Like Google Hangouts that use only data.

I use hangouts all the time. Works great for video calls. Can also have people at more than two sites in the call at a time.

Another option

jpennyva : 6/26/2017 8:53 pm : link

is using the video call feature with the Facebook Messenger app. That should be data-only and is sometimes better quality than FaceTime or Skype, though it does also depend on the wifi quality of your connection. My husband uses is weekly to video chat with his son and it always works well.

No they won't be charged extra

Vanzetti : 6/26/2017 8:57 pm : link

But just a caution

Vanzetti : 6/26/2017 9:01 pm : link

Europeans do not use their phones all the time like we do, so reliable wifi is hard. To find, except in Scandinavia. Hotels that cater to businesses are your best bet. Italy is particularly bad even in expensive hotels

Another tip

Jim in Fairfax : 6/26/2017 9:03 pm : link

FaceTime can be used audio only, which is a good option to save on data usage. Or when you have weak WiFi.