Trying to use Facetime on Mac OS Catalina

[ferrarr]

FaceTime will work over Wi-Fi only, as long as both parties have an Apple/iCloud ID and are signed into it in the FaceTime app. My daughter and mother in law both have iPad 2 Wi-Fi only and they make and receive FT all the time.

 

[Mac Man 2007]

I do not have phone number associated with my Mac Air and Pro and I can use Face Time on my computers and also use FaceTime on my iPhone. My iPhone has a different email account than my computers and it does not need Wifi to receive FaceTime.
As for the OP's original problem I suggest putting the person in contacts. When you put them in contacts if they have an iPhone or Mac that is face time available it will show FaceTime or messaging in BLUE.
If that contact is not available it will be in lower case grey. .

 

[lbsimon50]

I use WhatsApp app on my Mac to communicate with people who do not have iPhones and Macs. Until fairly recently WhatsApp did not support video calls. Now it works very well.

 

[chscag]

I use WhatsApp app on my Mac to communicate with people who do not have iPhones and Macs. Until fairly recently WhatsApp did not support video calls. Now it works very well.

Yes, that's correct. We pointed that out in reply #19. Note though, that the other party must be using a device with a camera.