Ever wondered if you can make a phone call with a Mac? FaceTime has been a long-time feature found on most Apple products, but did you know you can actually call an iPhone from a computer running on macOS and vice versa? With Apple’s Continuity feature, you can make and receive calls from your Mac—perfect for communicating without having to fumble around for your iPhone. Despite the feature’s convenience, many people are unaware of how to use or even activate it. This guide will show you a simple two-step process to help you make the most out of your Apple devices.
What is Apple Continuity?
Apple Continuity is a key feature of the Apple ecosystem designed to create a seamless experience across all your devices. It allows you to start a task on one Apple device and continue it on another, and it includes a range of features like Universal Clipboard (copy and paste between devices), Handoff (transferring a task from one device to another), and, of course, the ability to make and receive calls on your Mac, iPad, or even Apple Watch.
Here is how to configure your system to receive calls on the computer:
Step 1: Enable FaceTime on your Devices
The “Calls from iPhone” feature is a core part of Continuity and uses FaceTime to function. To get started, you’ll need to enable it on both your Mac and your iPhone.
On your Mac:
- Open the FaceTime app.
- From the menu bar, go to FaceTime > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions).
- Click on the General tab.
- Check the box next to “Calls from iPhone.”
On your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Phone.
- Tap on “Calls on Other Devices.”
- Turn on “Allow Calls on Other Devices.”
- You can then select which specific devices you want to allow to make and receive calls, such as your Mac.
Important: For this feature to work, both your Mac and iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID. They should also have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2: Make a Call
Once you’ve completed the setup, making a call from your Mac is incredibly easy.
- From your Contacts: Open the Contacts app, click on a contact, and then click the phone icon next to their number.
- From an app: You can click on any phone number that is highlighted in apps like Safari, Mail, Messages, or Calendar.
- From FaceTime: Open the FaceTime app, type a contact’s name or a phone number, and click the phone icon to initiate an audio call.
- From Spotlight: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight search, type a contact’s name or a phone number, and press the phone icon that appears.
When someone calls your iPhone, a notification will pop up on your Mac’s screen. You can choose to accept or decline the call with a single click.
Pro Tip: If your cellular carrier supports it, you can also enable Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone and set it up to work on other devices. This allows you to make and receive calls on your Mac even when your iPhone isn’t nearby or is turned off.
Other Continuity Features to Explore
The ability to make phone calls is just one of many useful features within the Apple Continuity ecosystem. Once you’ve mastered this, you might want to explore others, such as:
- Universal Clipboard: Copy text or images on your iPhone and paste them on your Mac (and vice versa).
- Handoff: Start an email or browse a webpage on one device and instantly pick up where you left off on another.
- Continuity Camera: Use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam for your Mac, perfect for video calls.
- Universal Control: Use a single keyboard and mouse to control both your Mac and iPad simultaneously.
These features make switching between your devices seamless, enhancing productivity and providing a more integrated user experience.
Conclusion
Apple Continuity is more than just a convenient feature; it’s the glue that holds the Apple ecosystem together. By allowing your devices to work in harmony, you streamline your workflow and eliminate the friction of switching between them. The ability to make and receive calls on your Mac is just one powerful example of this seamless integration. So, before you consider selling your MacBook, take some time to explore the full potential of Apple Continuity—you might find that your devices are more powerful and interconnected than you ever imagined.