How can I use FaceTime Audio with MacBook in clamshell / lid closed?

At my desk I use my intel CPU 11" MacBook Air with the lid closed, an external monitor with no camera, and a headset with microphone. After updating to Mojave from Sierra, I can no longer use FaceTime Audio in that configuration. I'm looking for a way to stop FaceTime from waiting for video from the inactive FaceTime camera.

Under Sierra, I could open the FaceTime app, and place or receive FaceTime Audio calls normally.

Now, under Mojave, when I open FaceTime, the window is black, and after a minute or so, I get an alert saying "No Video - FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting the computer may fix this issue." I'm not able to place calls, and restarting doesn't help. I'm still able to receive calls.

I can plug in an old USB webcam, but I'd rather not, because I don't want video, it seems to use a significant amount of CPU, uses a USB port, etc.

I might be willing to change my OS to Catalina if that would solve it, but my computer doesn't support any OS newer than that.

Are there solutions I can use to make this work without having to keep the lid open or plug in a camera?

Solution 1:

Here's a solution which works for macOS >= 10.14. One can initiate a call in Messages by clicking on details in a chat history and then on the phone symbol.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/messages/icht1091/mac