I love using FaceTime, especially with friends and family that live overseas. It’s by far the easiest and cheapest way to connect with them to learn all the latest happenings in their lives. And we all love that we get to see each other using our iDevice’s or Mac’s camera.
It’s wonderful to show and tell everything that’s going on. When the folks you care about have Apple devices, FaceTime is the go-to app for live conversations, so when you or your loved ones experience FaceTime not working in iOS 11 or if you discover FaceTime not available, it totally stinks!
For those not in the know, FaceTime lets you call anybody with an Apple iDevice or Mac and lets you talk to each other over the internet for free (well, sort of–there is that bill you pay for internet services.)
Getting to the good parts, FaceTime in iOS 11 brings Live Photos to its portfolio. So, now with iOS 11, you can take Live Photos during your FaceTime video chats.
No not earth-shattering news but certainly a feature some iFolks wanted. It only works on iPhones and iDevices capable of taking Live Photos, so this feature ain’t for all of us!
And if you would rather NOT have someone take Live Photos of you, there’s a way to disable this feature. Go to Settings > FaceTime > and toggle OFF FaceTime Live Photos–so no one can capture you during any FaceTime video calls.
And sorry folks but FaceTime’s still just for Apple users! I keep hoping that Apple releases an Android FaceTime App–and many folks thought that this year was THAT YEAR. But no, still no FaceTime or iMessage for all those Android users. And no group chat either…
Sometimes It’s Not You; It’s Apple!
FaceTime is one of those Apple Services that needs Apple Servers to run properly. So before trying a bunch of stuff to troubleshoot, check out Apple’s System Status Page and see if FaceTime is currently experiencing problems or down.
When everything is kosher, you see a large green dot next to it. If you see anything else, like a yellow caution sign or an exclamation point, there’s a problem. When there’s an issue, Apple creates links and provides updated information such as current status, approximate time problem first occurred, the percentage of users impacted, and so forth.
Remember that FaceTime (and pretty much most social apps) only work when you are connected to the internet via WiFi or a cellular/mobile network.
That signal must be strong enough to deliver video and audio. So if you’re connected via WiFi, try another network or try using cellular/mobile (just remember that you may incur data overage fees.)
Or if you’re connecting via cellular/mobile, try a WiFi network instead (and enjoy relatively “free” conversations with friends and family.)
The Apple Rule of Thumb: Update!
Okay, Apple’s number one troubleshooting tip is to ensure that your operating system’s software is up-to-date.
For iDevice users, that’s your iOS. Visit the app store or go to Settings > General > Software Update and see if an update’s available. If so, go ahead and update iDevice.
Just make sure you backup before performing ANY update.
FaceTime not working on Mac? For Mac users, your operating system is your macOS (or for older Macs, your OS X). To Check for an update, visit your Mac App Store and tap on the Updates tab.
Once updated, check if FaceTime is working again. If FaceTime’s not working, keep moving down this list of tips.
Check FaceTime is ON
Okay, this may be a Homer Simpson moment, but it’s often the issue with either the sender or receiver–they don’t have FaceTime switched ON!
So, head on over to Settings > FaceTime and check that FaceTime is toggled on (green.) If not, toggle it on and sign in with your Apple ID and password.
And while you’re there, check that your phone number, email, and Apple ID is listed underneath “You can be reached by FaceTime at.” If not, add your email addresses.
For Macs, open FaceTime and turn it on. Check your FaceTime preferences. If not already signed into iCloud, enter your Apple ID and password to start the activation process.
If you’re trying to use FaceTime over cellular, check that Use Cellular Data is on for FaceTime. Go to Settings > Cellular > Use Cellular Data For and turn on FaceTime.
Not Finding the FaceTime App?
If you don’t even see the FaceTime app, check that you’ve installed FaceTime by visiting the app store. In case FaceTime isn’t installed, search for “FaceTime” in the App Store and install it by tapping the cloud icon.
If you have installed FaceTime, and you don’t see the app, check that both Camera and FaceTime aren’t restricted by going to Settings > General > Restrictions or Disable Restrictions completely.
Use The Same Apple ID on your devices
To get the most of out FaceTime, check that all your FaceTime accounts are using the same Apple ID.
For iDevices, tap Settings > FaceTime and verify your Apple ID
For Mac OS
Click FaceTime > Preferences. Check your Apple ID and make sure the Enable this account box next to it is ticked.
If any of your devices don’t match, sign out and then sign on again using the same Apple ID for all your iDevices and computers.
Sign Out and Back In Again
Sometimes, just signing out and back in again fixes your troubles. Doing this simple action forces Apple FaceTime Servers to refresh your device authentication.
For iDevices, go to Settings > FaceTime > and toggle OFF. Wait 30 seconds. Toggle back ON.
For Macs, open FaceTime’s Top Menu > Turn FaceTime OFF. Wait a bit. Then tap the Turn On button within FaceTime’s on-screen app.
Stuck on Activation?
Are you seeing the spinning circle with the message “waiting on activation,” but after minutes, even hours, that message remains? If so, you’re probably stuck on FaceTime Activation.
Quick Tips When Stuck on Activation
Try toggling both FaceTime & Messages OFF, wait for 30seonds, and toggle both back ON. Go to Settings > FaceTime (and Messages > iMessage) > Toggle OFF then ON
Make sure that your Apple ID lists your iPhone’s phone number and NOT a landline number (if ye have one)
Go to Settings > Apple ID Profile > Name, Phone Number, Email > Reachable At
Edit information if necessary so your iPhone and email is listed
Once updated, toggle FaceTime OFF and Back ON
Reset All Settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings
Removes WiFi passwords and any personalized iPhone settings
First of all, both you and the other person on the call must use macOS High Sierra or iOS 11 to capture a Live Photo in FaceTime.
If you’re not getting this feature to work, the chances are that the person you’re calling isn’t using High Sierra or iOS 11. Verify that they are before further troubleshooting.
Also, FaceTime Live Photos requires that you open your Photos app at least once before trying to take a FaceTime Live Photo. So open your Photos app if you haven’t opened it before.
The reason? Your Live Photos requires the Photos app to have a default library in-place before it can take and save any pictures.
It appears that FaceTime can only take Live Photos when the person on the other end of your FaceTime call also enables their iDevice’s FaceTime Live Photos.
For iOS 11 users, go to Settings > FaceTime > Toggle ON FaceTime Live Photos. For Mac users with High Sierra, open FaceTime and go to FaceTime > Preferences and tick the checkbox next to “Allow Live Photos to be captured during Video calls.”
Without both phones or devices enabling this FaceTime Live Photos feature, it won’t work. So get your friends and family members with iDevices to toggle this setting on (Settings > FaceTime > FaceTime Live Photos) and make sure you have it on too. Then do a test.
When it’s working, both you and the person you’re calling receive a notification that a Live Photo was taken. Then, that Live Photo saves directly into your Photos library. Hopefully, that quick tip solved any issues with FaceTime’s Live Photo.
Why Can’t I FaceTime Certain Contacts? Are You Blocking or Blocked?
If you’re not able to FaceTime only a few people and FaceTime not working for certain contacts, there might be a block in place on your phone (or theirs.)
Go to Settings > FaceTime > Call Blocking & Identification > Blocked Contacts and check that list for anyone whose calls your experiencing problems with.
If the person’s there, remove them from your Blocked list. Ask that person to do the same and check their iPhones or iDevices for FaceTime blocks.
And don’t forget that FaceTime only works on Apple devices! No Android or Windows support–not yet!
Try iMessaging First!
Ask your friend or family member to send you an iMessage before you (or they) try to FaceTime with you. This might jump start Apple Servers, your router, and your iDevice to get things going!
Check Your Date & Time
One of the biggest reasons FaceTime experiences problems is because Apple’s FaceTime Servers can’t verify the correct time.
If Apple Servers find a mismatch between your device’s date or time and their server’s time (for your current location), FaceTime and other services using the servers won’t work properly, and verification fails.
So be mindful that the time your Mac and iDevices display is not only for your convenience but is a basic requirement for many of OS X’s services.
Look at Date & Time
For iDevices, it’s best to let Apple do the heavy lifting so turn on Set Automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time. This feature automatically sets your date and time based on your current time zone
To check that your device shows the correct time zone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone
For Macs, go to System Preferences > Date & Time > select Set date and time automatically
Check your Mac’s time zone in that same window System Preferences > Date & Time > select Time Zone tab
If after setting things to automatic, your date, time, or time zone are incorrect then manually set these. Once you enter the correct time and date manually, try FaceTime again.
Are Apple’s FaceTime Servers Storing My Info?
If you’re startled to learn that FaceTime uses Apple Servers to transmit your data instead of point-to-point transfer, rest assured that your information is protected by end-to-end encryption across all your devices.
And Apple has no way to decrypt your FaceTime data when it’s in transit between your device and the other party’s device. That means Apple cannot look at ANY of your communications. And FaceTime calls are NOT STORED on any servers.
Restart Your Device
A reboot often fixes these types of issues. This holds true for Macs and iDevices.
To restart a Mac, go to the Apple Menu > Restart (or Shut Down and then power up again.) For iDevices, press the power button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. Power up as normal.
Try a Forced Restart
How-To Perform a Forced Restart on iPhone models
On an iPhone 6S or below plus all iPads & iPod Touches, press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo
For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone X or iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and promptly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
For iDevices, tap Settings > WiFi > YOUR NETWORK’S NAME > Configure DNS > Manual > Add Server > enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 > Save.
Make sure you delete your current DNS by tapping on the red minus sign and pressing Delete.
For Macs, click System Preferences > Network > Select YOUR NETWORK’S NAME > Advanced > DNS Tab > click the + button to add Google DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Click OK then Apply.
If you don’t like Google’s Public DNS, try OpenDNS instead. Follow instructions above and enter 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 in the DNS tab. Click OK then Apply.
Change Your Apple ID Password
A few readers discovered this tip!
After trying a bunch of things from resetting their network to toggling FaceTime OFF/ON a few times, as a last ditch effort before calling Apple Support, they changed their Apple ID passwords and wouldn’t you know, it worked!
So if you’ve tried the tips above with no success, give this idea a go and change your Apple ID password. Just remember to update all your devices with that new password–your Macs too and if you use iTunes on a Windows PC, there too!
FaceTime Not Ringing When Somebody Calls?
If you see missed calls on iDevices, but never heard the darn thing ring, check that “Push” is enabled in your Mail settings.
Go to Settings > Accounts & Passwords and make sure that Fetch New Data is set to Push. If not, update it. Apple’s servers need to have a recent internet address for the “location” of your iDevice to work!
Also, make sure that your sound is up, mute is not on via the side switch if applicable, and do not disturb (DND) is disabled.
If you want DND on, check that you allow calls from FaceTime. Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Phone > Allow Calls From > Everyone or All Contacts
And check your Notifications too. Go to Settings > Notifications > FaceTime > Allow Notifications.
FaceTime Won’t Connect or is Continuously “Connecting”
If you are not able to connect to FaceTime or get the message “Connecting” without FaceTime ever opening, try reactivating your account.
For iOS, go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle the switch OFF, wait a few moments, and then toggle it back ON. A message appears “waiting for activation.” Enter your Apple ID and passcode if needed.
If that doesn’t work, reset your WiFi network. Go to Settings > General > Reset and select Reset Network Settings.
This process resets your network settings back to factory defaults, so you’ll need to enter your WiFi password(s) again.
For Mac OS
Open FaceTime > Preferences. And turn FaceTime off. Wait 30 seconds or so and turn FaceTime back on.
If it’s still not working, go back to Preferences. Choose Settings and sign out of your Apple ID. Wait a few moments and then sign back in with your Apple ID.
Is FaceTime Not Recognizing Your Phone Number?
Some of our iOS 11 testers reported this issue. When opening FaceTime, your iPhone shows your email BUT NOT your phone number!
Try these tips that worked for our testers (perform one at a time and then test)
Go to contacts change your phone number from HOME to Phone then turned off FaceTime and turn back on
Go to Settings > General Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings
No data is lost, but WiFi passwords and personal setting preferences are reset
Correct the area code on your Apple ID account
Check that you don’t have any outstanding debts with the App Store, iTunes, or any Apple product/services
Remove your SIM card, wait a few minutes, and replace
To reset network go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
Force Restart
Log into your network
Log into FaceTime
Put someone else’s SIM card in and see if FaceTime recognizes the email and phone number
If so, you need a new SIM card. Contact your carrier
iPhone Stuck on FaceTime?
A few of our readers tell us that their iPhones, particularly the iPhone X, get stuck on FaceTime and they cannot exit the app. It seems that there is a FaceTime glitch that causes this error.
Fix When FaceTime Won’t End
Close the FaceTime app by double pressing Home or swiping up the Home Gesture Bar. Locate the FaceTime App Preview and swipe it off the top of your screen to force close
Shut down your device via Settings > General > Shut Down
Force restart your device
For Macs Only–Using a Firewall?
Yes, you can use FaceTime with most networks even one that’s behind a firewall! But you might need to enable certain ports. Check that you enable the following ports for FaceTime when using a firewall.
Firewall Ports FaceTime
80 (TCP)
443 (TCP)
3478 through 3497 (UDP)
5223 (TCP)
16384 through 16387 (UDP)
16393 through 16402 (UDP)
Let’s try using a Terminal command!
Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal and type the following: sudo killall VDCAssistant hit enter, type your admin password, and hit enter again. Close Terminal and Restart. This fixes problems with FaceTime and your built-in camera.
If not comfortable using Terminal, Use Activity Monitor
Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor
Enter VDC in the search box
Find and select VDC Assistant process
Tap the X in the upper right corner of the window to Quit the VDC Assistant
Try Safe Mode
Finally, if killing the VDC Assistant didn’t do the trick, restart your MacBook in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift Key when you restart. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
Safe Mode runs through a series of diagnostics checks. Once it finishes all these checks, restart normally and see if the problem is fixed.
Wrapping It Up!
Hopefully, one of these tips helped you work out your problems with FaceTime not working in iOS 11.
If not, let us know in the comments–we check these regularly and reply if we additional tips. And if you figure something out, please let us know so we can share that tip with others–a lot of us have the same issues.
For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!
Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.
Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.
since updating to ios 11.4.1 I can no longer video call people using facetime on my iphone SE, or my ipad mini. People can call me, but not vice versa. I have an old 5S iphone that has NOT been updated and it works fine. Just on the devices I updated …………… sure wish I hadn’t done that!
Hi! I have an iPhone 6s and my girlfriend has a 7 plus, I normally FaceTime with her, she constantly takes live pictures of me but when I try and take on of her it doesn’t work, we both get the notificacion about a libe picture been taken and even the flash goes off and stuff. My phone is updated, I’ve tried to reboot my phone, the hard reset, checked all the settings and even had tested it out with my family’s iPhones, and it works with them, it’s only her phone. Do you have any idea why this could be happening? Thanks.
Hi! I don’t buy in to the fact that if Apple servers are all working that it is the user or the settings on the phone that is causing FaceTime to not be working correctly. When I know for a fact that all my phones are on the same working system and settings and they are still freezing up either on WiFi or on data, it’s within the new IOS 11 update causing the issues. I wished apple would get their act together and get this issue fixed as that is the biggest reason most want iPhones.
Hi,
Regarding my issue facetime not working.
I got this message :this app requires specific features not availabile on this device.
nots: my facetime is working beafore.
That’s a strange error to get. First, close the FaceTime app by double pressing Home and swiping up on the FaceTime app preview. For iPhone X, swipe up from the Home Gesture Bar and then locate the FT app review and tap it and then swipe up to close.
Have you tried restarting or force restarting to see if FT works after a refresh? Also, check if there is an iOS update (Settings > General > Software Update). A few readers reported this problem resolved after updating to iOS 11.2.1.
If none of these things help, consider deleting the FT app and then reinstalling via the App Store.
Since updating to ios11, whenever I FaceTime on my MacBook Pro, I am able to see and hear the other person, however all they can see is a black screen. Very frustrating!
Any ideas please?
Go to: Applications > Utilities > Terminal and type the following : sudo killall VDCAssistant hit enter, type your admin password, and hit enter again. Close Terminal and Restart. This should fix problems with your built-in camera.
If not comfortable using Terminal
Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor
Enter VDC in the search box
Find and select VDC Assistant process
Tap the X in the upper right corner of the window to Quit the VDC Assistant
Finally, if killing the VDC Assistant didn’t do the trick, restart your MacBook in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift Key when you restart. Release the Shift key when you see the login window. Safe Mode runs through a series of diagnostics checks. Once it finishes all these checks, restart normally and see if the problem is fixed.
I’ve been having problems with my camera for a while now. My back camera will not work on any app. Camera, Snapchat, Factime, Instagram, etc.. As soon as I updated my phone to 11.0.2, I went to FaceTime to call a friend, and the screen of where my face should be is completely gone. Further explanation, say yocan are on FaceTime and of course for years it’s the same. You have the majority of the screen where it’s of what they have showing, and the small rectangle you have representing you. While I’m on FaceTime, it’s a full screen of whatever they’re showing. My little rectangle I have, only has the outine in black and it’s very thin. Inside the rectangle is what they’re showing me, not what I’m showing them. Like I mentioned earlier I have back camera problems where it won’t show anything. Well my front camera works perfectly. Except for on FaceTime now. It works comeplely fine on other apps. I’ve tried restarting my phone, power on and off, changing the servers on the WiFi, logging in and out of FaceTime, pretty much everything there is. Nothing will work. Thank you for allowing me to give my feedback. Btw this is on Iphone6s.
Since downloading IOS 11, whenever I FaceTime from my iPhone, I can see the other person but they only see a black screen and not me. Also, the picture-in-picture on my device is transparent so I can’t see myself in it. I updated again last night with 11.0.1, did a system restore, etc. and it still isn’t working. Any ideas?
The first time I tried using the screenshot feature of facetime, the live photos were saved on my gallery but after that, when I use it, even though a message pops out when I take screenshots, it doesn’t save anything. The setting toggle is on.
I tried to restart the phone and toggle it on and off but it still isn’t working.
From what we understand in order for FaceTime to take Live Photos, the person on the other end of your FT call must also enable this feature in order for it to work. So get a friend with an iDevice to toggle this setting on (Settings > FaceTime > FaceTime Live Photos) and make sure you have it on too. Then do a test. Additionally, both you and the other person on the call must use macOS High Sierra or iOS 11 to capture a Live Photo in FaceTime. If you’re not getting this feature to work, chances are that the person you’re calling isn’t using High Sierra or iOS 11.
Also, FaceTime Live Photos requires that you open your Photos app at least once before trying to take a FaceTime Live Photo.
If that doesn’t work:
Toggle FaceTime off (not FaceTime Live Photos but FaceTime itself), wait 20-30 seconds and then toggle FaceTime back on. You should see if activating. Once activated, toggle FaceTime Live Photos ON if it’s off. If it’s already on, leave it as is.
Then force restart your phone:
Perform a Forced Restart
On an iPhone 6S or below plus all iPads & iPod Touches, press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo
For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone X or iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
After it starts up, check FaceTime again and see if Live photos is now working as expected.
My facetime works as in for me to facetime people it’s perfect! But my camera just doesn’t appear or seem to work I have tried in all my settings and my camera is fine in other apps just not FaceTime. I just downloaded the new ios11 this morning. I have also restarted my phone twice. I cant find a solution.
When you FaceTime, are you seeing yourself or nothing at all? I’m not sure based on the first part of your comment–it sounds like you see yourself but let’s be sure. If you aren’t seeing yourself, that’s a strong indication of a hardware problem. In that case, you need to reach out to Apple Support (or a certified service center) for inspection and possible repair. If you’re covered under Apple Care +, it’s included. If not, this inspection and repair likely results in paying out of pocket.
Did you perform a forced restart? There’s a difference between a normal restart and a forced one. So try a forced restart if you haven’t already.
Perform a Forced Restart
On an iPhone 6S or below plus all iPads & iPod Touches, press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo
For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone X or iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
After doing this, check FaceTime and see if it’s working again. If not, take a look at Restrictions (Settings > General > Restrictions.) If Restrictions is ON, tap it and enter your Restrictions passcode (it’s a 4-digit passcode that’s normally different from your iPhone’s passcode) and then disable all restrictions. Once this is done, see if FaceTime is working.
Additional Tips
If you’re trying to use FaceTime over cellular, make sure that Use Cellular Data is on for FaceTime. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data, and turn on FaceTime.
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically
We have some more tips on camera issues in this article. They might help with your FaceTime issue as well.
I’ll go get some stuff to get some stuff done I’ll
Single person FaceTime work but when I add another person it goes to audio. No video
since updating to ios 11.4.1 I can no longer video call people using facetime on my iphone SE, or my ipad mini. People can call me, but not vice versa. I have an old 5S iphone that has NOT been updated and it works fine. Just on the devices I updated …………… sure wish I hadn’t done that!
Hi! I have an iPhone 6s and my girlfriend has a 7 plus, I normally FaceTime with her, she constantly takes live pictures of me but when I try and take on of her it doesn’t work, we both get the notificacion about a libe picture been taken and even the flash goes off and stuff. My phone is updated, I’ve tried to reboot my phone, the hard reset, checked all the settings and even had tested it out with my family’s iPhones, and it works with them, it’s only her phone. Do you have any idea why this could be happening? Thanks.
Hi! I don’t buy in to the fact that if Apple servers are all working that it is the user or the settings on the phone that is causing FaceTime to not be working correctly. When I know for a fact that all my phones are on the same working system and settings and they are still freezing up either on WiFi or on data, it’s within the new IOS 11 update causing the issues. I wished apple would get their act together and get this issue fixed as that is the biggest reason most want iPhones.
Hi,
Regarding my issue facetime not working.
I got this message :this app requires specific features not availabile on this device.
nots: my facetime is working beafore.
Hi Adel,
That’s a strange error to get. First, close the FaceTime app by double pressing Home and swiping up on the FaceTime app preview. For iPhone X, swipe up from the Home Gesture Bar and then locate the FT app review and tap it and then swipe up to close.
Have you tried restarting or force restarting to see if FT works after a refresh? Also, check if there is an iOS update (Settings > General > Software Update). A few readers reported this problem resolved after updating to iOS 11.2.1.
If none of these things help, consider deleting the FT app and then reinstalling via the App Store.
Hope something here gets you around this error!
Liz
Since updating to ios11, whenever I FaceTime on my MacBook Pro, I am able to see and hear the other person, however all they can see is a black screen. Very frustrating!
Any ideas please?
Hi Rebecca,
Let’s try using a Terminal command:
Go to: Applications > Utilities > Terminal and type the following : sudo killall VDCAssistant hit enter, type your admin password, and hit enter again. Close Terminal and Restart. This should fix problems with your built-in camera.
If not comfortable using Terminal
Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor
Enter VDC in the search box
Find and select VDC Assistant process
Tap the X in the upper right corner of the window to Quit the VDC Assistant
Finally, if killing the VDC Assistant didn’t do the trick, restart your MacBook in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift Key when you restart. Release the Shift key when you see the login window. Safe Mode runs through a series of diagnostics checks. Once it finishes all these checks, restart normally and see if the problem is fixed.
Keep us posted,
SK
Since updating to 101.1.1 and 11.1.2, Facetime no longer wakes an iPhone SE and auto answer only works when phone is unlocked.
I’ve been having problems with my camera for a while now. My back camera will not work on any app. Camera, Snapchat, Factime, Instagram, etc.. As soon as I updated my phone to 11.0.2, I went to FaceTime to call a friend, and the screen of where my face should be is completely gone. Further explanation, say yocan are on FaceTime and of course for years it’s the same. You have the majority of the screen where it’s of what they have showing, and the small rectangle you have representing you. While I’m on FaceTime, it’s a full screen of whatever they’re showing. My little rectangle I have, only has the outine in black and it’s very thin. Inside the rectangle is what they’re showing me, not what I’m showing them. Like I mentioned earlier I have back camera problems where it won’t show anything. Well my front camera works perfectly. Except for on FaceTime now. It works comeplely fine on other apps. I’ve tried restarting my phone, power on and off, changing the servers on the WiFi, logging in and out of FaceTime, pretty much everything there is. Nothing will work. Thank you for allowing me to give my feedback. Btw this is on Iphone6s.
Hello, I have a problem like Dee says. My friend (iphone 4 with ios i) doesn’t see me (iphone 7 ios 11.0.1). It happen’s after update to ios 11.
Since downloading IOS 11, whenever I FaceTime from my iPhone, I can see the other person but they only see a black screen and not me. Also, the picture-in-picture on my device is transparent so I can’t see myself in it. I updated again last night with 11.0.1, did a system restore, etc. and it still isn’t working. Any ideas?
The first time I tried using the screenshot feature of facetime, the live photos were saved on my gallery but after that, when I use it, even though a message pops out when I take screenshots, it doesn’t save anything. The setting toggle is on.
I tried to restart the phone and toggle it on and off but it still isn’t working.
Gaby,
From what we understand in order for FaceTime to take Live Photos, the person on the other end of your FT call must also enable this feature in order for it to work. So get a friend with an iDevice to toggle this setting on (Settings > FaceTime > FaceTime Live Photos) and make sure you have it on too. Then do a test. Additionally, both you and the other person on the call must use macOS High Sierra or iOS 11 to capture a Live Photo in FaceTime. If you’re not getting this feature to work, chances are that the person you’re calling isn’t using High Sierra or iOS 11.
Also, FaceTime Live Photos requires that you open your Photos app at least once before trying to take a FaceTime Live Photo.
If that doesn’t work:
Toggle FaceTime off (not FaceTime Live Photos but FaceTime itself), wait 20-30 seconds and then toggle FaceTime back on. You should see if activating. Once activated, toggle FaceTime Live Photos ON if it’s off. If it’s already on, leave it as is.
Then force restart your phone:
Perform a Forced Restart
On an iPhone 6S or below plus all iPads & iPod Touches, press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo
For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone X or iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
After it starts up, check FaceTime again and see if Live photos is now working as expected.
I’ll keep looking for other suggestions.
Liz
My facetime works as in for me to facetime people it’s perfect! But my camera just doesn’t appear or seem to work I have tried in all my settings and my camera is fine in other apps just not FaceTime. I just downloaded the new ios11 this morning. I have also restarted my phone twice. I cant find a solution.
Hi Naomi,
When you FaceTime, are you seeing yourself or nothing at all? I’m not sure based on the first part of your comment–it sounds like you see yourself but let’s be sure. If you aren’t seeing yourself, that’s a strong indication of a hardware problem. In that case, you need to reach out to Apple Support (or a certified service center) for inspection and possible repair. If you’re covered under Apple Care +, it’s included. If not, this inspection and repair likely results in paying out of pocket.
Check your Apple Care + coverage through Apple’s check coverage site.
Did you perform a forced restart? There’s a difference between a normal restart and a forced one. So try a forced restart if you haven’t already.
Perform a Forced Restart
On an iPhone 6S or below plus all iPads & iPod Touches, press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo
For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo
On an iPhone X or iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo
After doing this, check FaceTime and see if it’s working again. If not, take a look at Restrictions (Settings > General > Restrictions.) If Restrictions is ON, tap it and enter your Restrictions passcode (it’s a 4-digit passcode that’s normally different from your iPhone’s passcode) and then disable all restrictions. Once this is done, see if FaceTime is working.
Additional Tips
If you’re trying to use FaceTime over cellular, make sure that Use Cellular Data is on for FaceTime. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data, and turn on FaceTime.
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically
We have some more tips on camera issues in this article. They might help with your FaceTime issue as well.
Cheers,
Liz