The Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro is designed to give you easy access to the tools you use the most in your apps. If you're using FaceTime, you can use the Touch Bar to start or end a video chat. Here's how it works.
- How to start a video chat using FaceTime with the Touch Bar
- How to start a group call in FaceTime using the Touch Bar
- How to join a group call in FaceTime using the Touch Bar
- These are the Touch Bar tools you have while on a FaceTime chat
- How to customize the Touch Bar for FaceTime
How to start a video chat using FaceTime with the Touch Bar
It's pretty simple to call someone using the Touch Bar with FaceTime. You have to set up who you want to talk to first, but once you have a contact selected, you can let your fingers do the walking.
- Launch the FaceTime app on your MacBook Pro.
- Select a contact's name (you may have to search for one).
- Tap the info icon next to a contact's name to see his or her full contact card.
- Tap the person's name on the Touch Bar to initiate the call.
While in the FaceTime app, you can also trigger a text message, email, or audio call from the Touch Bar.
How to start a group call in FaceTime using the Touch Bar
With iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, we can group chat with up to 32 friends and family at once. If you're on your MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, you can start or join a group call with a simple tap.
- Launch FaceTime on your MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
- Enter the name or number of the person you want to call.
- Enter up to 31 additional contacts.
- On the Touch Bar, tap Audio or Video to place your Facetime group call.
The call will go out to everyone you added to the list.
How to join a group call in FaceTime using the Touch Bar
When you've been invited to join a group FaceTime call, you can quickly hop into the call with just a tap.
When the call comes in, tap Join Conversation. You'll be able to see the other participants already on the call right next to the Join button.
These are the Touch Bar tools you have while on a FaceTime chat
While on a FaceTime call, you can quickly see how long you've been chatting. Check the running time directly under the contact's name.
You can also enter full-screen mode, end the call, and mute your audio with just a tap on the Touch bar.
If you need to adjust the volume, tap the Control Strip to access audio controls and increase or decrease the volume.
My favorite tool is the ability to end the call with just a tap. You don't have to move your cursor up to the FaceTime window and scrambled to end the call if you've accidentally initiated a FaceTime call with someone (which I've been known to do).
How to customize the Touch Bar for FaceTime
Unfortunately, you can't. This is a bummer for me. I feel like the Touch Bar could be better utilized with some additional tools and customizable features. But, the FaceTime app on the Mac doesn't have a lot of options, anyway.
Any questions?
Do you have any questions about using the Touch Bar to access tools in FaceTime? Let me know and I'll help you out.
