FaceTime is a built-in iOS and macOS app that runs on Apple devices. With the release of iOS 7, FaceTime added the option for users to make free international calls over Wi-Fi or cellular data plans. This was not possible in previous versions, which only allowed video calling. Getting started with free calling on your Apple mobile device is quick and easy, and allows you to make calls without using any mobile minutes.

Not that video isn’t cool: a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth a million. But there are times when you might prefer a simple phone call. The main reason is data usage. Video calling uses up bandwidth and over mobile networks (which are generally rated by MB of data used) it gets pretty expensive. Phone calls use up a lot less bandwidth, which means it’s a lot cheaper if you have a data plan with a limit. Another reason: we just don’t want to be seen all the time.

To make and receive FaceTime calls, you need an Apple device running iOS 7 or macOS 10.9. 2 or later. You can upgrade devices running older versions of iOS, but the earliest you can upgrade is the iPhone 4 for smartphones and the iPad 2 for tablets.

You’ll also need an internet connection; that’s how FaceTime bypasses your cellular network. You can use your Wi-Fi network, which makes it completely free (except for the Wi-Fi fee), but it’s subject to the range limitation. Data plans can keep you connected everywhere, but they do cost something, though it’s much less than what you’d pay for cellular calls.