How to leave a FaceTime video message on iOS 17

iOS 17:

- Compatibility: iPhone XR and later
- Release date: September 18
- How to download and install iOS 17
- How to make iOS 17 Contact Posters
- How to use StandBy on iOS 17
- How to leave a FaceTime video message on iOS 17

FaceTime is one of the key pillars of the iPhone ecosystem. It's also one of the best ways that Apple users can keep in touch with their loved ones.

Even though you can now use FaceTime on both Android and Windows phones, it's still one of the benefits of having an iPhone, whether that's an older model or one of the new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro handsets.

With iOS 17, Apple is keen to make you love FaceTime even more and has added FaceTime Video Messages. This means that when you call a friend or family member and they're not around to pick up, you can leave them a message. It feels like a very obviously Apple feature to us, which we think will appeal to iPhone users. In this guide, we'll look at how to leave a FaceTime video message in iOS 17.

How to leave a FaceTime video Message on iOS 17

A photo of an iPhone showing FaceTime video message in iOS 17 — (Image credit: Apple)

Leaving a video message on FaceTime is as simple as you’d imagine. First of all, you need to be on iOS 17, and you need the person you’re trying to call to not pick up. Then your iPhone will present a screen with a few options, including Call Again, Close, and Record Video. Select Record Video, then it’s lights, camera, and action.

That’s all there is to it. Once you record the video, you can send it to your contact or rerecord it to make sure you send the perfect video voicemail.

One more thing… video messages on FaceTime are a game changer

The recurring theme of iOS 17 is creativity and helping users feel more connected to their devices, whether that be with personalized Contact Posters, Live Stickers, or video voicemails in FaceTime.

After using the latest iOS for a couple of months now, I’ve been very impressed with how personal it feels. My iPhone has beautiful full-screen contact cards, and whenever I want to leave my partner a FaceTime message while she works, I can do so using this great feature. Everyone understands the concept of a voicemail, so with iOS 17 they’ll know exactly what to use video voicemails for.

The ability to leave a message on FaceTime could go down as the major iOS 17 feature that withstands the test of time, as I genuinely can’t see people not opting to leave a voicemail when your mom or brother frustratingly doesn’t pick up the phone.

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John-Anthony Disotto is the Editor of iMore, helping you get the most from your Apple products and fixing things when your technology isn't behaving itself.

Based in Scotland, where he worked as a Genius Bar technician repairing iPhones, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself on closing his Apple Watch activity rings.

He leads iMore's work on AI in the newsroom, testing where it genuinely improves editorial work and where it doesn't. Every story is written, edited, and signed off by a person.

Previously in editorial at TechRadar and Tom's Guide, John-Anthony is an avid film geek who won the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019. Away from Apple, he tinkers with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.