How to make free video call abroad on iPad 4. Is Skype or face time free? Do I need a cellular chip?

Hi. I am going to Europe next week. Just bought iPad 4. Want to video call for free. Just heard about face time rather than Skype. Are these free? Do I need a cellular chip? HELP.

iPad, iOS 6.1.1, iPad 4

Posted on Mar 12, 2013 7:06 AM

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22 replies

Mar 12, 2013 8:08 AM in response to Joannereeder

Both Skype and Facetime are free as long as you have a Wifi connection available. You do not need a cell sim card for either one, but you do need some form of internet so at the very least a Wifi connection.


As was said Facetime only works between Apple devices that have it installed and set up.


Skype works across a wide variety of platfomrs inluding computes, tablets, and cell phones. They ahve to ahve ti instlled and set up but you aren't limited to Apple products.


If the people you want to call have either one of them installed they are easy to use.

Mar 12, 2013 2:17 PM in response to Joannereeder

Thank you so much for your reply. 2 questions tho. First do I have to do anything with my iPad when going abroad. From uk to Tenerife? Put it any settings.

Secondly, if there is not a wi fi connection can I still use face time? Guessing there will be no connection on the beach? Sorry this is all new to me! Thank you for your time ans reply. Got I pad 4 if any help.

Jo

Mar 12, 2013 2:43 PM in response to Joannereeder

FaceTime only works with other Apple devices. You'll have to use Skype for non-Apple devices.


Using FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4319


Troubleshooting FaceTime http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3367


The Complete Guide to FaceTime + iMessage: Setup, Use, and Troubleshooting

http://tinyurl.com/a7odey8


Troubleshooting FaceTime and iMessage activation

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4268


Using FaceTime and iMessage behind a firewall

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4245


iOS: About Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3529


Set up iMessage

http://www.apple.com/ca/ios/messages/


Troubleshooting Messages

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2755


Setting Up Multiple iOS Devices for iMessage and Facetime

http://macmost.com/setting-up-multiple-ios-devices-for-messages-and-facetime.htm l


FaceTime and iMessage not accepting Apple ID password

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/facetime-and-imessage-not-acc epting-apple-id-password/


Unable to use FaceTime and iMessage with my apple ID

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4649373?tstart=90


For non-Apple devices, check out the TextFree app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/text-free-textfree-sms-real/id399355755?mt=8


How to Send SMS from iPad

http://www.iskysoft.com/apple-ipad/send-sms-from-ipad.html


FYI


Complete guide to using iOS 6

http://howto.cnet.com/ios-6-complete-guide/


Guide to Built-In Apps on iOS

https://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/guide-to- built-in-apps-ios


You can download a complete iOS 5 iPad User Guide and iOS 6 iPad User Guide here: http://support.apple.com/manuals/ipad/

Also, Good Instructions http://www.tcgeeks.com/how-to-use-ipad-2/


Apple - iPad - Guided Tours

http://www.apple.com/ipad/videos/


Apple iPad Guided Tours - Watch the videos see all the amazing iPad apps in action. Learn how to use FaceTime, Mail, Safari, Videos, Maps, iBooks, App Store, and more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT2bD0-OqBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROY4tLyNlsg&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSPXXhmwYf4&feature=relmfu


How to - Articles & User Guides & Tutorials

http://www.iphone-mac.com/index.php/Index/howto/id/4/type/select


iPad How-Tos http://ipod.about.com/lr/ipad_how-tos/903396/1/


You can download this guide to your iPad.

iPad User Guide for iOS 5

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ipad-user-guide-for-ios-5/id470308101?mt=11


 Cheers, Tom 😉

Mar 12, 2013 4:03 PM in response to Joannereeder

Joannereeder wrote:


Thank you so much for your reply. 2 questions tho. First do I have to do anything with my iPad when going abroad. From uk to Tenerife? Put it any settings.

Secondly, if there is not a wi fi connection can I still use face time? Guessing there will be no connection on the beach? Sorry this is all new to me! Thank you for your time ans reply. Got I pad 4 if any help.

Jo

For Wifi connections you should not have to do anything other than connect to the wifi network once and then it'll be remembered.


If you want to facetime form the beach you'll need a cellular data connection(assuming there is no wifi there). As I said above you need some type of internet connection be it through Wifi or Cellular.


There are 2 types of iPads a Wifi only iPad and a Wifi+Cellular iPad. If you bought the Wifi only version then you cannot get cellular service on it. If you bought the Wifi + Cellular version then you can get sim card to add cellular service.


Plans vary by provider, you would need to get in touch with your Cellular / mobile carrier/company to see what plans they offer for iPads for international travel.


Another option is to buy a Sim card directly from a Tenerfie cellular carrier, again plans will vary, you may be able to get a pay as you go plan to use while your there.


This of course will cost money, more so if you are using a cellular service provider from the UK abroad as roaming data charges can be really steep.

Mar 13, 2013 1:34 AM in response to Phil0124

Phil, u r a genius. Thank u so much for taking the time to reply to me. I no I may sound like a div! Me, (mummy), daddy, daughter and nanny all have iPads, just recently, and I no they are not been used to full potential! At least now I no where to come if I need help. I called apple for this problem and they spoke to me as if I should no what they r talking about! U SHOULD WORK FOR APPLE!!!

Thanks again Phil. U have saved me another day of wanting to scream!

Have a good day.

Mar 13, 2013 6:05 AM in response to Joannereeder

For WiFi access, no. You should be good to go. WiFi abroad will essentially not be any different than WiFi stateside. Except of course for the language, and depending on where you are in Europe, English will be fairly prevelent. If you are getting a cellular plan, there shouldn't be a need for roaming to be on, so you may want to turn it off. For reason of $, you want to avoid roaming. Data charges while roaming will be quite extravagent.

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How to make free video call abroad on iPad 4. Is Skype or face time free? Do I need a cellular chip?

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