FaceTime receives one of the major upgrades in iOS 27: On compatible iPhones, the front and rear cameras can now be used simultaneously during video calls. This brings a feature that began with the iPhone 17 directly into phone calls.
With the iPhone 17 series last fall, Apple introduced a video feature that, for the first time, combined the front and rear cameras directly within the camera app, merging both perspectives into a single clip. Apple is now applying this same principle to FaceTime with iOS 27. During a video call, compatible devices can display the image from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously – a new feature that significantly enhances FaceTime and is already available to try out in beta.
Front and rear cameras simultaneously in video call
The new dual-camera feature is available for the iPhone 17 and later models. Specifically, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air support simultaneous transmission of both camera perspectives in FaceTime. This allows you to show your face and, at the same time, what's happening in front of you – without constantly switching between cameras.
This is how the dual camera is activated
The controls are intentionally simple. Tapping the "Flip" button in the camera viewfinder automatically activates dual-camera mode. To only use the rear camera, deactivate the front camera with a second tap. By default, however, the front camera image remains active as soon as the rear camera is activated – both perspectives run simultaneously unless explicitly changed.
What's possible with older iPhones
For the dual camera to work during a call, both participants must be using iOS 27. Older iPhones cannot activate the mode themselves. However, they are not completely excluded: they will also see the dual camera stream sent by the other party. The feature can therefore be used unilaterally, as long as at least the sending device is a compatible iPhone with iOS 27.
Building on Dual Capture
Apple laid the foundation for the FaceTime innovation with the Dual Capture feature, which launched exclusively on the iPhone 17 series. It records simultaneously with the front and rear cameras, creating a picture-in-picture video where the front camera appears in a smaller window. How this recording method works in practice within the Camera app is now demonstrated in a similar form in video calls: FaceTime adopts this idea and transmits both camera angles to the other party in real time.
Availability of the FaceTime update
iOS 27 is currently available as a developer beta, in which the dual-camera feature can already be tested. A public beta will follow next month, and the final version is expected in the fall. With the general release of iOS 27, the feature will then reach all owners of compatible iPhones.
FaceTime is moving closer to the camera app
The dual camera is a good example of how Apple is gradually rolling out a feature initially limited to the camera app across the entire system. What began as a video recording feature is becoming a tool for FaceTime conversations – practical for anyone who wants to show themselves and their surroundings simultaneously during a video call. The fact that older devices can at least receive the stream also ensures that the new feature won't be limited in its adoption. (Image: Apple)
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