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Does Facetime Use Data? How Much Data Does FaceTime Use

FaceTime is an iOS video calling service tool for Apple users only. It is very easy to use and sleek for setting up calls with other iPhone users. 

To enjoy unlimited FaceTime service, the use of an internet connection is mandatory, hence, answering the question, does Facetime use data?

If connected to WiFi, you can freely FaceTime without eating into your cell data. If you are using a 3G or a 4G connection, FaceTime will surely make use of your data to connect to other users. 

There are certain factors you will need to understand about FaceTime and its data usage policies. 

FaceTime Data Usage

The first thing you should have in mind is that FaceTime does not use a voice plan to make its connection regardless of where or how you call. 

When a FaceTime call is placed, the sending and receiving video and voice info totally depends on the use of data over an internet connection just like how every normal app on your phone sends and receives information online. 

Even though you can use a WiFi connection or a cellular data plan to connect via FaceTime, it will always turn to a WiFi connection by default whenever such a connection is available.

So, if you find yourself in a place where WiFi is available, you can freely make FaceTime calls without incurring any additional data charges and such calls will count against your monthly data plan limit. 

How Much Data Does FaceTime Use

Be rest assured that FaceTime does not use all that much data. A FaceTime call could use a maximum of about 3 megabytes of your data for every minute which can be summed up to about 180 megabytes of data for every hour it is used.

User data consumption may rise based on if they’re utilizing 3G or 4G connections, or if they are making a video or an audio conversation. Users must bear in mind that movies consume much more data than regular audio.

Another way you can think about how much data you use for every FaceTime call you to make is: If you are subscribed to a monthly wireless data plan of 3 gigabytes and you use it exclusively for FaceTiming alone, you will be able to video chat for about 17 hours every month.

That is one way you can determine how much data goes into every FaceTime call you make. Though, exclusively using your data plan to only FaceTime is not realistic but is just for comparison as most of you probably just have a WiFi connection which you will also use for a whole lot of other things aside from FaceTime. 

Using FaceTime over a 3G connection will reduce the amount of data of any call you make since the overall quality will be lower while a 4G FaceTime call will use a whole lot more data due to its capability of higher quality.

Below you will find out how to check how much data is used during a FaceTime call.

  • Navigate to and open the FaceTime app on your phone.
  • Choose the call you want to check how much data it costs you.
  • You will see an ‘I’ icon by the right-hand corner, tap on this.

Does Facetime Use Data? How Much Data Does FaceTime UseThe amount of data you used to make that call will appear on the next screen at the top next to the call’s details.does facetime use dataIt will show you every detail regarding the call you made which includes whether it was an outgoing or an incoming call and the duration of the call. The amount of data that the call consumed will be in brackets close to the time the call was made. 

If you want to check if the call was made through a WiFi connection, you will have to identify first as the FaceTime app does not usually specify whether a call was made via a WiFi connection or cellular data. 

Also, for the purpose of isolating cell data from WiFi data, users should go to the cellular page that is in iOS.

You can do this by:-

Find the ‘Setting’ icon and tap on ‘Cellular’.
Does Facetime Use Data? How Much Data Does FaceTime Use
From the application list that will be provided, select FaceTime. There it will show you the amount of data used by the app.


Does Facetime Use Data? How Much Data Does FaceTime Use
To reset the data tracker, go to the bottom of the page and tap on the ‘reset’ option.

How to Make FaceTime not Use Data

Ensure the FaceTime application is properly downloaded on your phone for this to work perfectly. If it is not, go to the app store to get it.

The iOS should automatically change from your cellular data to a WiFi connection if ever you are in the range of an open WiFi network that you can log into.

Sometimes, this doesn’t work as planned as FaceTime may keep on using cell data. To avoid this, you can force FaceTime to use WiFi by putting off your cell data. You can switch it on if you need to access FaceTime when not in a range of WiFi connections.

To do this:-

Go to ‘Setting’ and locate ‘Cellular’

In the app list provided, search for FaceTime and turn the toggle off


Does Facetime Use Data? How Much Data Does FaceTime Use

This way, you are certain that FaceTime is not using up your cell data whenever you find yourself in WiFi coverage you can log into. Do not forget always to turn it on when you need data to use your FaceTime app. 

📗FAQs

Can you still FaceTime without data?

No, FaceTime requires an internet connection to work. Without a data or Wi-Fi connection, you won’t be able to make or receive FaceTime calls.

Does FaceTime count as a phone call?

FaceTime is a video and audio calling service that works over the Internet, so it does not count as a phone call. However, if you are using cellular data to make a FaceTime call, it will count toward your data plan.

Can I use FaceTime without cellular service?

Yes, you can use FaceTime without cellular service as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. FaceTime requires an internet connection to work, so if you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can make and receive FaceTime calls.

Who pays for a FaceTime call?

FaceTime calls are free as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a data plan. If you are using cellular data to make a FaceTime call, it will count toward your data plan.

Can anyone see my FaceTime calls?

No, FaceTime calls are encrypted end-to-end, which means that only the people on the call can see and hear what is being said.

Will my phone ring if I’m on FaceTime?

If someone tries to call you while you are on a FaceTime call, your phone will not ring. Instead, you will receive a notification that you have a missed call.

Can you call without data on your iPhone?

No, you cannot make a phone call without an internet connection on your iPhone. If you don’t have cellular data or Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to make or receive calls.

How much data does a 1 hour FaceTime call use?

The amount of data used during a 1 hour FaceTime call depends on the quality of the video and audio. On average, a FaceTime call uses about 150 MB of data per hour for standard video quality and up to 600 MB for high-definition video quality.

Why did I get charged for a FaceTime call?

If you were charged for a FaceTime call, it is likely because you used cellular data instead of Wi-Fi. FaceTime calls use data, and if you go over your data plan, you may be charged for the additional usage.

Do FaceTime calls charge your phone bill?

If you use cellular data to make a FaceTime call, it will count towards your data plan, and you may be charged for the usage. However, if you are connected to Wi-Fi, FaceTime calls are free and will not appear on your phone bill.

Can someone on FaceTime hear what you’re watching?

No, the person you are on a FaceTime call with cannot hear what you are watching on your device. They can only see and hear what is happening in the video call.

How can I retrieve deleted FaceTime calls?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to retrieve deleted FaceTime calls once they have been deleted. FaceTime calls are not stored on your device or iCloud, so once they are deleted, they are gone forever.

What does a red FaceTime mean?

A red FaceTime icon indicates that the call is currently ongoing. When you end the call, the icon will disappear.

How do you know someone blocked you on FaceTime?

If someone has blocked you on FaceTime, you will not be able to call them using FaceTime. When you try to call them, the call will not connect, and you will not receive any notification or message indicating that you have been blocked.

Can you FaceTime if someone blocked you?

No, if someone has blocked you on FaceTime, you will not be able to call them using FaceTime.

Do text messages use data?

Yes, text messages use a very small amount of data to send and receive. However, the amount of data used is so small that it is usually not counted towards your data plan.

Can you still text if you turn off data?

If you turn off cellular data on your phone, you can still send and receive text messages as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. However, if you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, you won’t be able to send or receive text messages.

What is the downside of Wi-Fi calling?

The main downside of Wi-Fi calling is that it relies on a Wi-Fi connection, which can be unreliable or slow in some areas. Additionally, if you are on a Wi-Fi call and you move out of Wi-Fi range, the call may drop. Finally, Wi-Fi calling may not be supported by all carriers or devices.

(Q) Does FaceTime use data on Verizon?

Verizon does not charge its customers whenever they place any FaceTime call as long as their cellular data is not enabled whenever they are video chatting.

(Q) Does FaceTime use Wifi or data?

It totally depends. If you are in a place where there is WiFi coverage that you can use, then FaceTime will use the WiFi to place its calls. If not, you will be charged from your cellular data and the data usage varies depending on whether it is a video or audio call.

(Q) I don’t have data, can I use FaceTime?

The answer to this is no. You will need a good source of internet connection if you want to FaceTime successfully. Even for purposes of initiating a call, a user would need an internet connection. You could either use a WiFi connection or use your cellular data. It is all up to you to decide. 

(Q) How much data/hour does FaceTime consume?

If you FaceTime for more than 5 minutes to 10 minutes, it won’t really consume so much of your data. For a minute of a FaceTime video call, you use about 3MB with a 10 minutes call, you will use about 65MB that would translate to approximately 180MB per hour usage.

For iPhones that use a 3G network coverage, you will use less data as the quality of the call placed will be lower.

(Q) Does my phone bill reflect FaceTime calls?

FaceTime call does not show on phone bills directly due to the fact that they do not use up your cellular minutes and will cost you if you use your cellular data to FacTime instead of WiFi connection. Aside from this reason, FaceTime calls will not show in your monthly phone bills.

(Q) Should I frequently reset app statistics?

There is no fixed period of time to reset apps statistics, however, just to keep track of data usage, reset should be done once every month. This will give you the exact amount of data you have used up for the month and help you better plan on how to manage your usage or increase it if needs be. 

With the reset option, you can properly plan on the amount of data you want to reduce or increase for the upcoming month and monitor it.

Final Thoughts

All that you have read from the article answers the question, does FaceTime use data? 

It does use data and the amount of data it uses solely depends on if you are on a 3G, 4G network. Using FaceTime for video or audio will also determine the amount of data you are expected to use on every call you make. 

You can also check data usage on every call you make with a picture of the amount of data spend whether on a WiFi connection or on your cellular data. 

If you know any other way to check how much data FaceTime uses or a way of managing data usage, let us know in the comment section of this post.Â