Wondering if FaceTime costs money? This guide breaks down everything about charges, hidden fees, and how to save data. Let's dive in!

 

Core Charging Rules

✅ Free to Use: Making FaceTime calls won't cost you a dime. Apple doesn't charge any service fees.
✅ No Subscriptions: There's no monthly or yearly fee to use FaceTime. It's completely free!

 

Where You Might Pay

1. Data Usage Fees

On Wi-Fi: Zero cost! Connecting to Wi-Fi is the best way to avoid any charges.

Using Cellular Data:

Video Calls: Uses about 3–5MB per minute (depends on video quality).

Audio Calls: Uses around 0.5–1MB per minute.
Note: These will count towards your mobile data plan.

 

2. International Call Costs

Both Parties Abroad:

If you use paid Wi-Fi (like at hotels or airports), you may have to pay for internet access.

Roaming data charges in some countries can be extremely high. It's smart to buy a local SIM card before traveling.

 

New Features in 2025 - All Free!

FaceTime Live Titles: Get real-time captions without paying anything.

SharePlay 3.0: Watch movies and listen to music together for free.

AR Effects: All fun filters and effects are completely free.

 

Tips to Save Data

Go to Settings → FaceTime → Cellular Data, and turn on Low Data Mode.

Disable HD Quality to cut data use by 50%.

Choose audio calls instead of video calls to reduce data usage by 80%.

 

Important Notes

⚠️ In China, only FaceTime video calls work. Audio calls aren't available.
⚠️ Calling regular phone numbers through FaceTime will charge you based on your carrier's rates.

 

Real-Life Example: A 10-minute FaceTime call

 

On Wi-Fi: $0

On 4G: Uses about 30MB of data (charged by your plan).

While Roaming Internationally: Could cost $2–$7 (varies by carrier).

 

Now you know exactly how FaceTime charges work. Enjoy free calls and use these tips to stay within your budget!