Communicating online has changed the way we talk and see others over the past ten years. FaceTime is an Apple-specific feature that allows users to video call each other from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac computers.
A simple application to use, Apple fans have enjoyed the FaceTime features for a decade. As technology and the misuse of technology have grown, app developers are becoming more aware of your privacy and ways to protect it. Knowing whether or not someone is recording or taking photos of your conversation is a key step towards preventing personal privacy violations.
As you’ve probably seen with Snapchat and other applications, technology has given us the ability to see whether or not someone has taken a screenshot of our video or video call. You may be wondering if FaceTime has this option.
Let’s talk about the FaceTime screenshot alerts and other FaceTime screenshot details.
Can You Find Out If Someone Screenshots Your FaceTime?
FaceTime will alert the person if you take a screenshot while the video feed is playing.
Not only does this pop-up appear as soon as the shot is taken, but it also names the person who took it. This is useful for group FaceTime meetings. There is no denying who took the screenshot once this alert pops up.
The drawback to this notification is that it only lasts for a few seconds. Users who are preoccupied may not see it. Once the pop-up disappears, there isn’t any way to access it, this means that if you don’t see it when it first shows up, you won’t know, nor will you have proof, that a screenshot has been taken.
Can Someone Bypass the Alert?
While a notification does populate when someone takes a screenshot, nothing appears if they choose to screen record. Adding the screen record option to the Control Center through settings, anyone on a call can capture both video and audio content without you ever knowing.
Recording a FaceTime call is certainly an option for anyone who uses the application.
Screenshot Notifications and Security
Most of today’s apps represent a major security risk as our personal information is very easy to access and misuse. Like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and similar apps, FaceTime can be dangerous. The person you’re talking to can take live screenshots and use them against you, one way or another.
That’s why you should always be careful about what you do when using any smart device or social media app, whether it be FaceTime or Facebook.
Snapchat, for example, decided to mitigate this risk. They implemented the notification feature that alerts users automatically as soon as someone takes a screenshot of their message as soon as the app was launched. This way, while you can’t force them to delete the screenshot, you can at least ask them to do so and avoid sending them Snaps in the future.
The feature is extremely helpful as it allows you to chat freely, knowing that you will be notified if someone screenshots your pictures or messages without your permission.
Screenshots on FaceTime?
Yes, you can take a screenshot on FaceTime. You can take a screenshot of most apps unless the privacy settings of the app won’t let you.
Examples of this are most bank apps. These apps protect your privacy by blocking out the screenshot in order to protect your sensitive information. Other apps, like Snapchat, let you take a screenshot but it always informs the other user that you’ve done this.
How to Take Screenshots on FaceTime
As we already mentioned, taking screenshots on FaceTime is a piece of cake with any iPhone device.
It’s important to keep in mind that with the iOS 13 operating system, you do have the option to take FaceTime Live photos during a call as well. If you don’t initially see the option to take a photo while on the call follow these steps to add it:
- Access ‘Settings’
- Scroll down to ‘FaceTime’ and tap on it
- Make sure that ‘FaceTime Live Photos’ is toggled on
Once this is on, you should see the option to take a FaceTime Live photo. It’s important to remember that this too will alert the other users that a photo was captured.
Taking FaceTime Screenshots on iPad
The following steps will show you how to make a FaceTime screenshot on your iPad device:
- Start your FaceTime video call.
- While you are chatting, press and hold the Wake/Sleep (Power button) and the Home button.
- The screen will flash and you will hear the camera shutter sound, assuming that you have enabled the sound on your device.
The screenshot will be saved in your gallery.
Taking FaceTime Screenshots on iPhone
Taking a FaceTime screenshot on your iPhone device requires the same steps as before. You just have to find the right buttons that trigger the screenshot function on your phone.
In most cases, you should simultaneously press the “Home” button and the “Power” button located on the side of your phone and then quickly release them. Of course, you should be in your FaceTime app if you want to screenshot your conversation.
Can You Use FaceTime on Android?
Since FaceTime is developed for iPhone users, the app isn’t available on the Google Play Store, and Android smartphone users cannot use it because it isn’t compatible with their operating system.
However, in recent years a new app appeared on the market that strikes a resemblance to the FaceTime app. Both iPhone and Android users can use it.
This cross-platform FaceTime alternative is called Google Duo. This app allows you to have video call conversations on your Android phone with a friend who is using an iPhone. The app is very straightforward and user-friendly, so you most likely won’t have any problems figuring out how it works.
Can you see if someone has screenshotted your FaceTime call after you hang up?
No. Unfortunately, FaceTime doesn’t keep a log of these screenshots. The only way to know is if you’re looking at the screen when it happens.
Is it illegal to screenshot a FaceTime call?
The answer to this, while incredibly complicated, depends on the state you live in and the nature of the content captured. If someone screenshots inappropriate images of a minor for example, there are serious consequences. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFor the most accurate information, it’s best to look up your state’s laws on the subject.
Where do FaceTime screenshots go?
They’ll save to your phone’s Gallery app. Simply tap to view your photos and click on the Screenshot folder to access it.
Protect Yourself While Using Apps
Cybercriminals often target social media platforms and apps, and they use your personal information for scams. Whichever application you use on a regular basis, do everything that you can to protect your sensitive information.
Avoid posting anything highly sensitive on your social media profiles. When it comes to FaceTime, you can’t do much about your security, as anyone can take a screenshot without you knowing while you are chatting with them. The only thing that you can do is choose who you chat with.