Facetime has received major updates to the service since the past few updates to iOS. You can now call Android users, share your screen in Facetime, and even make group calls. Facetime works over the internet and allows you to video call Android and iPhone users around the world.
You get the option to use effects during your calls and you can even blur your background using the portrait mode. These features are great but soon lose their appeal if you’re unable to view your Facetime calls in full screen. If you’re in the same boat then here’s all you need to know about full-screen Facetime calls.
How does Facetime full-screen work?
Facetime calls should be full screen on your iPhone by default. This is because there is no way to toggle full screen when you attend to incoming or outgoing calls. Your entire screen should be showing the video feed of the other person and your camera feed will be shown in a small rectangular preview in the bottom right corner.
In a group call, you will be shown each person’s preview in a rectangular cutout. Your cutout in the bottom right corner will be slightly smaller than these cutouts.
How to make Facetime calls full screen
Now that you’re familiar with how Facetime calls work, you will have realized that there is no toggle or gesture to make your calls full screen. You have the option to always receive incoming Facetime call notifications in full screen or to enlarge your own video preview using a tap.
Additionally, if you’re having visibility issues, you can use the Accessibility feature to zoom into your Facetime calls. Use either of the methods below depending on your preference to help you get started.
Method 1: Make incoming notifications full screen
Open the Settings app and tap Phone.
Now tap Incoming Calls.
Tap and select Full Screen.
All incoming calls will now be previewed in full screen as shown below.
And that’s how you can make incoming Facetime calls full screen on your iPhone.
Method 2: Tap and enlarge preview
During a Facetime call simply tap your video feed preview in the bottom right corner.
This will enlarge your preview and give you the following options to customize your preview.
- Portrait Mode: Use this option to add background blur to your video feed.
- Effects: Use this option to add various effects to your feed including Text, Stickers, Photos, Memoji and more.
- Switch Camera: You can tap this icon to switch between your front and rear camera.
You can now tap the icon in the top right corner to minimize your preview.
And that’s how you can enlarge your preview in a Facetime call.
Method 3: Use Accessibility Zoom
Accessibility Zoom can be used to further zoom into your Facetime calls. Use the steps below to help you along the way.
Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.
Tap Zoom.
Tap and turn on the toggle for Zoom at the top.
You can now use the following gestures to Zoom wherever you’d like on your iPhone.
- Double Tap with three fingers: Use this gesture to Zoom into your screen.
- Double Tap and drag with three fingers: Use this gesture to control and change Zoom.
- Drag with three fingers: Use this gesture to move around on your screen when zoomed in.
Open Facetime and use the double tap with three fingers gesture to Zoom into your screen. You can now use this feature to make your calls full screen whenever needed.
Facetime Full Screen limitations
Facetime has a few limitations when it comes to using full-screen previews for your callers. These limitations mainly arise from new features introduced in Facetime, SharePlay, and calls to non-iPhone users. Let’s take a quick look at them.
SharePlay allows you to share your screen in calls which enables you to watch and share content with your friends and family. When sharing your screen, the video feed of your caller is minimized and you can move it around and place it on your screen as needed. Sadly, this feature breaks the full-screen functionality which will prevent the video feed from getting maximized again. You will need to disconnect and call again if you wish to use the full screen in Facetime after using SharePlay.
When calling Android users
When you’re calling non-iPhone users, calls are treated as group calls regardless of the number of participants in your current call. This in turn prevents you from using full screen when on calls with multiple participants and one of them is using an Android device. In such cases even if all participants leave, your video feeds will remain minimized. You will need to disconnect and call the concerned user again if you wish to use full screen.
We hope this post helped you easily use the full screen in Facetime calls. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop them in the comments below.
