Setting up FaceTime...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Setting up FaceTime for my Mum

9 Posts
9 Users
0 Reactions
121 Views
Posts: 741
Free Member
Topic starter
 

We need to set up FaceTime on my 81 year old Mums iMac and she needs to do it herself with instructions and do it easily. She is self isolating and I talk to her at her doorstep, so I can't go in and do it. I am experienced with macs, but never use Facetime.

We set the iMac up with her BT email, she will need an apple id to use FT I presume. Will it bounce the BT off the apple id or can you use FT independently on a Mac.

Hope that makes sense, it would make her very happy if she can see her grandchildren via this.

Cheers in advance.


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 2:26 pm
Posts: 13330
Full Member
 

Ask her to put the Mac on the doorstep then go back inside.
You then set it up on the doorstep (assuming the wifi works there).
She then collects it again and disinfects it.
You can get her to sit by a window and you then talk her through how you use it.
Easy.

Edit, just seen you said iMac and not MacBook. Ignore the doorstep bit. But if she can get it near a window you can see into that might help.


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 2:37 pm
 mehr
Posts: 737
Free Member
 

If the Mac is set up with her BT address that should be her apple id

If you haven't set up an apple id, go here Apple and register an account using her BT address, once she logins facetime/iMessage will be available


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 3:13 pm
 poly
Posts: 8699
Free Member
 

Is FaceTime not enabled by default?

Go to magnifying glass in top right
Type FaceTime
Select green and white icon
Enter your phone number (if you have an iPhone) and click the camera icon... it should come through as a call.

Once she’s called you, you should be able to call her!


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 3:19 pm
Posts: 13164
Full Member
 

A heads up here, sometimes the Mac will flag the notification up and before you can get to it take it down again. I find that I'm then unable to join the call. If your mum's mousing skills are not fabulous (speed and accuracy) she may need to start all FaceTime chats, all she needs is your Apple ID email address to get going.


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 5:36 pm
Posts: 1967
Free Member
 

There are other video calling applications that might be better for you both. Also she could let you in go to another room whilst you set up the Mac, then clean it to be very vigilant.


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 5:43 pm
Posts: 77347
Free Member
 

I am experienced with macs, but never use Facetime.

I'm not experienced with Macs, but the first thing I'd do in your case is set it up on my own machine.

Also,
https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/mac-os/


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 6:32 pm
Posts: 12865
Free Member
 

^^^ yep, definitely do this, will make everything else massively easier (as you can do it lol).

Can’t remember the setup procedure for TV (would recommend that tho as it’s free), I setup Splashtop recently and it’s very easy on the client end. You basically send them an email and they follow the link/instructions on that.

Also shame on you for not setting up your poor old mum with iCloud/FaceTime/Apple Music etc already!! We’re over a month into lockdown!!


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 7:31 pm
Posts: 17209
Full Member
 

We’ve gone for one of the portals linked through WhatsApp not Facebook. Worked first time when given instructions by my son n via the phone. All good and am impressed


 
Posted : 26/04/2020 9:29 pm
Posts: 741
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks everyone for the advice, going to have a go later.

Mums pretty tough and got lots to do; she brought a mountain bike in the 1995 and has ridden most of the Camino de Santiago on it. She only stopped riding 7 years ago as she went blind in one eye, she still game for it though.


 
Posted : 28/04/2020 11:53 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!