Is it encrypted? Secria

Is FaceTime encrypted?

Yes. Only you and the people you call can see and hear your FaceTime calls, group calls included. If you record a FaceTime audio call, the recording is only sealed once you turn on Advanced Data Protection.

Checked on 25 October 2026 against 10 sources.

Made by Secria. We grade every app by the same rules. How we check

FaceTimeApple
Who can read itPersonal accounts
  • One-to-one callsOnly you and the people you callApple says FaceTime calls are end-to-end encrypted and that it never stores what's said in them.1, 2
  • Group callsOnly you and the people on the callGroup FaceTime calls of up to 33 people are end-to-end encrypted too, and so are calls with people who join from a link in a web browser.1, 3
  • RecordingsOnly you, once you turn it oniPhone call recording works on FaceTime audio calls and saves to Notes, which is only sealed once you turn on Advanced Data Protection; Apple no longer offers that to new users in the UK.5, 6, 7, 8, 9Turn it on
  • Post-quantumNot yetNo post-quantum protection for FaceTime announced as of 25 October 2026; Apple's post-quantum list includes iMessage, web connections and VPN, but not FaceTime.4
Who holds the keys
Your devices. Apple says it has no way to decrypt FaceTime calls.
What Apple can still see
Apple keeps limited records for up to 30 days, such as when you tried to call and who was invited, but not whether the call was answered.
Checked on 25 Oct 2026SourcesJSONCite

Seal your call recordings, once

  1. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud.
  2. Scroll down, tap Advanced Data Protection, then tap Turn on Advanced Data Protection.
  3. Set up a recovery contact or a recovery key, then follow the steps on screen.

This also seals Notes, Photos, iCloud Drive and backups. Keep your recovery key safe, because Apple can't recover your data for you. Apple no longer offers it to new users in the UK.

Email is worth checking next: Gmail, Outlook and iCloud Mail can all read your mailbox. See which email services can.

Is FaceTime end-to-end encrypted?

Yes. Apple says the audio and video in FaceTime calls are end-to-end encrypted, so only the people on the call can see and hear them1. Apple says it never stores the content of FaceTime calls2.

The keys are made on your devices. A call may pass through Apple's relay servers to connect, but Apple says it can't decrypt what passes through1.

Are FaceTime calls with Android or Windows users encrypted?

Yes. People without an Apple device can join from a FaceTime link in a web browser, and Apple says the call is still end-to-end encrypted3. They have to give a name and ask to join, and anyone on the call can remove them in the first 30 seconds2.

Can Apple or the police listen to FaceTime calls?

No. Apple's guidelines for US law enforcement say it has no way to decrypt FaceTime data and can't intercept FaceTime calls10.

Apple does keep call invitation logs, which show that a call was started but not whether anyone answered, and can hand those over with a court order or warrant10.

Is FaceTime quantum safe?

Not yet. Apple has added post-quantum protection to iMessage, and with iOS 26 and macOS 26 to web connections, VPN and the link between iPhone and Apple Watch4. FaceTime isn't on that list, and no post-quantum protection for FaceTime was announced as of 25 October 2026.

How FaceTime compares

Sorted by how many parts are sealed by default, then by how many can be. Ties go A to Z.

FaceTimeYesZoomOptionalGoogle MeetNoMicrosoft TeamsNoPhone callsNo

Sources

  1. FaceTime security (Apple Platform Security), Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  2. FaceTime & Privacy, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  3. Privacy: Features, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  4. Quantum-secure cryptography in Apple operating systems (Apple Platform Security), Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  5. How to record and transcribe a call on iPhone, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  6. Record and transcribe a call on iPhone (Personal Safety User Guide), Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  7. iCloud data security overview, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  8. How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  9. Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection in the United Kingdom to new users, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.
  10. Legal Process Guidelines: Government & Law Enforcement within the United States, Apple. Read on 25 Oct 2026.

Changes to this answer

  • First published.

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