FaceTime is coming to Windows and Android, but will you use it?

Facetime Icon Iphone X Hero
Facetime Icon Iphone X Hero (Image credit: Windows Central)

Apple held its annual WWDC conference this week, and many Windows fans and users looked across the aisle at Microsoft's competitor. While the biggest pieces of news are iOS 15, iPadOS15, and macOS Monterey, there were several other announcements from Apple. The one that affects Windows users the most is the fact that FaceTime will no longer be exclusive to Apple hardware.

After years of being behind Apple's walled garden, FaceTime will make its way to Windows and Android through the web. Some features will remain exclusive to iPads, iPhones, and Macs, but the ability to use FaceTime on hardware from a non-Apple company at all is the headline.

After the announcement, I saw a mixture of reactions across the web. Some were excited to be able to use the service on Windows and Android devices, while others didn't care at all. This comes down to a few factors, the biggest of which may be geography.

While FaceTime is popular in the United States, it's not nearly as much of a factor in other countries. In many areas where Android reigns supreme on the mobile side of things, FaceTime isn't that big of a deal.

FaceTime also has more competition than ever from the likes of Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams, though the latter is used more for work than chatting with friends and family.

Some around the web asked why anyone would use an exclusive communication platform like FaceTime when Zoom or WhatsApp are available on every major platform.

Our question for you this week is, do you care about FaceTime coming to Windows and Android through the web? Please let us know in the poll above and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.