FaceTime is Apple's video calling service for iOS that uses data, not cellular minutes, to make calls. FaceTime is free, because as long as you have Wi-Fi, you can call other iPhone users without incurring charges on your cellular plan.
Do you need WiFi for FaceTime?
That doesn’t mean that FaceTime calls won’t ever cost you money, though, because without Wi-Fi, FaceTime will have to use your data plan to connect to the internet. There are a few things you should understand about FaceTime, so let’s take a look at what you need to know about this video calling app and service.
First of all, rest assured that FaceTime will never use your mobile plan’s minutes, no matter where or how you make a call. When you make a FaceTime call, it sends and receives voice and video information using data over the internet, similar to how any other app on your phone exchanges data online.
And while you can make FaceTime calls over Wi-Fi or your mobile data plan, FaceTime will always default to Wi-Fi whenever possible. So if you’re in a Wi-Fi area and make a FaceTime call, you won’t be charged any data charges. If you make a FaceTime call when you’re not on Wi-Fi, you’ll be using data and the call will count against your plan’s monthly data allowance.
