Is FaceTime giving you trouble or not working after an update to your device’s iOS or iPadOS? Wondering how you can get FaceTime to work like it used to? If so, you are not alone! Several readers tell us that after updating their iOS or iPadOS, they cannot get FaceTime to work, make calls, or use features.
Quick Tips
Try These Quick Tips to get FaceTime to Work in iOS (iOS 12 & iOS 13) and iPad OS
Toggle FaceTime off wait 20-30 seconds, and toggle it back on
Tap your Apple ID and Sign Out and then Sign In again in using the same or a different Apple ID
Add a restart after signing out if it doesn’t work the first try
Group FaceTime requires iOS 12.1.4 and above (including iOS 13 and iPadOS)
Apple permanently disables Group FaceTime for any devices using iOS 12 through iOS 12.1.3
When making a group FaceTime call, all call members must use iOS 12.1.4 and higher or macOS Mojave and later
Group FaceTime does not work with iOS 12.1.4 and earlier or macOS High Sierra and below
Reset your network’s settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
For Poor Connections, stop using any effects or Animoji/Memoji to reduce bandwidth burden
Sometimes resetting all your settings helps problems with FaceTime. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings
For problems with iOS 13 or iPadOS FaceTime getting stuck on “connecting” when trying to video or audio FaceTime call an older iOS version, update to iOS and iPadOS version 13.4.1 and above (which Apple says fixes this issue)
FaceTime got a major facelift in iOS 12, so with iOS 13 and iPadOS, Apple continues to grow its support for those features including Group FaceTime and animoji/memoji options and effects.
Dual SIM and eSIM fully supported in FaceTime (and iMessage)
With iOS 13, Apple now offers full support of both your SIM and eSIM phone numbers on any dual-SIM iPhone in both FaceTime and iMessage.
That means you can start a FaceTime call from either number–your physical SIM or your eSIM/dual SIM.
In iOS 12, only one mobile number could be used for iMessage and FaceTime. With iOS 13, when you activate a physical SIM card and eSIM (or dual physical SIM where applicable), you no loner need to select the mobile number you’d like to use for iMessage or FaceTime from their respective settings menus.
How to activate both SIM and eSIM phone numbers for FaceTime
Visit Settings > FaceTime and checkmark both your phone numbers under the sections “you can be reached by FaceTime at” and “Caller ID“
For iMessage, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, and checkmark your two phone numbers under “you can receive iMessages to and reply from” and “start new conversations from”
Restart your device
When making a FaceTime call or sending a new iMessage, just select which number you want to use when starting a new text or making a FT call
Remember, that you currently cannot switch phone numbers when picking up on an existing conversation. By default, an existing conversation uses the phone number you originally used.
New Memoji customizations and Animoji to use in FaceTime (and other apps too!)
Awesome Memoji customization for FaceTime fun
We got a lot of makeup options in iOS 13 and iPadOS to customize everything from blush and eyeshadow to adding braces on your teeth with braces and even piercings to your nose, eyebrows, eyelids, or around your mouth.
And of course, there’s a bunch of new hairstyles, hats and headwear, and a heck of a lot more choices for earrings and glasses.
New Animoji
iOS 13 and iPadOS introduce three new Animoji characters to use in your FaceTime conversations— mouse, octopus, and cow!
Animoji and Memoji come to older devices with stickers!
While Memoji and Animoji are only available on devices with Apple’s TrueDepth technology, iOS 13 offers ALL DEVICES with an A9 chip and greater options for creating Animoji and Memoji stickers. Stickers are static images that are super easy to share!
And best of all, you can use your animoji or memoji stickers in FaceTime!
With FaceTime open, tap the Effects button
Tap the Memoji icon to open all your Memoji and Animoji stickers
Choose the animoji or memoji sticker that you want to share on your FaceTime call–that’s it!
iOS 12+ FaceTime improvements: Group FaceTime and more!
In past years, FaceTime was the neglected child, especially when compared to Messages and iMessage. But with iOS 12, Apple totally redesigned FaceTime–it looks and feels different.
Group FaceTime
The big news is that with iOS 12.1.4 FaceTime finally supports Group FaceTime video and audio calls! We waited a long time for this feature, and with iOS 12.1.4 and above and macOS Mojave+, it finally arrives.
With Group FaceTime, you can make calls with up to 32 people simultaneously–that’s a heck of a lot of folks!
You can even start a Group FaceTime from a group conversation in the Messages app!
FaceTime’s Automatic Detection of Active Speakers
Using iOS and iPadOS on-device intelligence, FaceTime can highlight and enlarge the image of the call’s active speaker. This helps users avoid confusion during the call.
Your iDevice and iOS automatically highlights the person speaking and resizes any other on the call to give prominence to the active speaker.
Folks that are listening appear at the bottom of the screen until they speak. But a simple tap brings that person to your device’s front and center.
Here’s a round-up of additional FaceTime features from iOS 12
iMessage integration
Start a FaceTime or Group FaceTime call directly from an iMessage conversation
Animoji and Memoji
Trade your face for an Animoji or Memoji in FaceTime when talking to your friends and family
And you can even add live filters to your Animoji and Memoji
Fancy camera effects
If you love using effects in the camera app, you’re sure to enjoy them in FaceTime and iMessage
FaceTime now supports all those built-in filters, text effects, shapes and sticker packs
Find Effects in the new FaceTime Menu
Camera effects in FaceTime require an iPhone 7 or later model
Apple Watch Audio Support
We can now use FaceTime audio on our Apple Watches and join in a group chat–all from the watch
The Walkie Talkie Watch app also utilizes FaceTime audio and uses your FaceTime account (Apple ID) to chat with friends and family
Missing Live Photos for FaceTime?
If you’re still using the first version of iOS 12, it did not include Live Photos. And we really don’t know why!
To get it back, all you need to do is update your iOS. Any iOS version 12.1.1 and above and all iPadOS versions reintroduces the Live Photo feature for FaceTime calls!
FaceTime Calls Fail, Keep Disconnecting, or Immediately Start Reconnecting?
Is FaceTime hanging up when you’re in the midst of a call? Shows that it’s Reconnecting but then isn’t able to and instead says Call Failed?
If you notice that your FaceTime App isn’t working like it used to and isn’t allowing you to either make calls or stay on calls for more than a few seconds, you aren’t alone.
While there is no one reason why FaceTime exhibits this behavior, here’s a list of our top tips to help.
Toggle FaceTime off, wait 20-30 seconds, and toggle it back on
Sign out of FaceTime, restart, and sign in again
Delete and reinstall the FaceTime App
Turn off Screen Time or Restrictions
Check that your date and time is Set Automatically
Reset your network settings
Does FaceTime get stuck at connecting? Can‘t call a legacy iOS device using Facetime?
Folks updating to iOS 13.4 discovered that their devices could no longer connect to older iOS devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or Mac’s running OS X El Capitan or earlier. Some of our readers tell us this issue is also present when trying to call folks using iOS 10 versions as well.
To fix these issues, update to iOS and iPadOS 13.4.1 or above. Apple says the issue is now fixed in this version and higher.
FaceTime Activation Not Working?
Toggle FaceTime & iMessage OFF, wait for 30 seconds and toggle both on
Go to Settings > FaceTime (and Messages > iMessage) > Toggle OFF then ON
Sign out of your Apple ID in FaceTime. Go to Settings > FaceTime and tap your Apple ID. Choose Sign Out. Then sign back in with your Apple ID or an alternate Apple ID
Check that your Apple ID lists your current iPhone’s phone number (not an old number or worse, a landline!)
Turn FaceTime and iMessage off
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
If your FaceTime isn’t showing you all those fun filters, check that Apple supports these effects for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod model.
Camera effects in FaceTime require an iPhone 7 or later and for iPads the iPad Pro 12.9 second generation+, iPad Pro 10.5+, and an iPad 6th generation or higher.
Models that support camera effects in FaceTime
iPhone 7/7 Plus and above
iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation, iPad Pro 11 & 10.5, iPad Air 3rd generation, iPad 6th generation, iPad Mini 5th generation, and all above models
iPod 6th generation and above
Using a supported model but no FaceTime Effects?
For iOS 12.1.1+, slide up the bottom bar to bring up additional FaceTime options on your calls
For iOS 12.0-12.1, make sure you navigate to the correct screen by pressing the menu button (three dots) then on the second screen choose Effects
Try just tapping the screen again if you don’t see the Effects button–this may bring the option up!
Close the FaceTime app by pressing the Home button or swiping up the Home gesture bar and then swiping up off the top of your screen the FaceTime App Preview.
Then, restart your device
Open FaceTime again–see if the effects are now there
Group FaceTime Not Working? Shows Waiting?
We loved FaceTime’s Group Calling feature! It makes calling up to 32 people a breeze–be it an audio conference call or a group video call. It just works!
If you can’t find this feature, make sure you use iOS 12.1.4 or above
If not, update your iOS to a later version
Due to a privacy bug in iOS 12.1-12.1.3, Apple disabled Group FaceTime. So to use Group FaceTime in iOS 12+, you need iOS 12.1.4 or above.
If you already updated to iOS 12.1.4 or higher and Group FaceTime still isn’t working with more than 1 person, check out these tips.
If you and your friends, family, or colleagues are trying to FaceTime together and it’s not working, check the following:
All participants must use iOS 12.1.4 or later. Group FaceTime does not work any earlier iOS versions
Group FaceTime only works on Apple devices
Everyone you’re trying to group FaceTime with has to be on at least iOS 12.1.4
Anyone using iOS 12.1.3 or lower shows up greyed out
You cannot Group FaceTime with devices or folks who share the same Apple ID
Everyone on the call must use an Apple device. You cannot call an Android device from FaceTime
Don’t use any effects including Animoji and Memoji, filters, stickers, shapes, and text
Group FaceTime Video only works for iPhone models iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or newer, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4
Video Group FaceTime is not available on these models: iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 4 and 6th generation iPod Touch
iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners and earlier models of iPad and iPod touch can join audio-only Group FaceTime calls
How To Correctly Make a Group FaceTime Call
Open up the FaceTime app
Tap on the “+” icon in the upper right corner
In the “To” field, type in a name, phone number, or use the + symbol to open your Contacts
Continue typing in all the names you want on the call
When done, tap on either the audio or the video button to place the call
All recipients get a message on their devices that you want to FaceTime
If you want to add a person on the call later (during the call), FaceTime uses a ringless notification where the device displays a notification that lets folks instantly join a call without being disruptive
Remember, when a participant receives an invitation, they can choose to participate using audio or video from their iPhone, iPad, and Macs (that support it.)
Privacy Protected!
And of course, all FaceTime conversations, including one-to-one and multi-person, are encrypted end to end, so they remain private and viewable only by the participants.
Or so we thought!
There was a major privacy issue with Group FaceTime in iOS 12.1-12.1.3 that forced Apple to disable Group FaceTime support while their development team fixed the problems. However, with iOS 12.1.4+, Group FaceTime returns to our devices–and hopefully, with the full privacy, we expect from Apple!
Make a Group FaceTime Call in iMessage
Group FaceTime is also integrated into Messages, so it’s easy to start a Group FaceTime right from a group iMessage chat.
If people in a conversation have already started a FaceTime session, Messages shows the active call in the conversation list and inside your conversations.
It’s often easier to open a previous group iMessage conversation and start your Group FaceTime call there
Open up a group iMessage chat
Or create a new one
At the top of your screen, tap on the profile icons
Choose FaceTime or Audio to start a call
Audio calls may show an additional selection for Voice Call or FaceTime Audio
Choose FaceTime Audio
Voice Calls use your phone carrier
Place a group FaceTime with FaceTime on Mac
Open FaceTime on your Mac
Enter the names or numbers the people you want to call
Enter up to 32 total callers
Click Video or Audio to place your FaceTime call
Is Your FaceTime Call Failing, Won’t Connect, or Continuously Connecting?
If you are not able to connect to FaceTime without FaceTime ever opening a session, try reactivating your account
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 returns your network settings back to factory defaults, so you must enter your WiFi password(s) again
For Failing FaceTime Calls
Try calling from your FaceTime call log (if listed) instead of initiating a new call
Call from iMessage
Open Messages App
Search for a previous conversation with the person you want to call
Open the message thread
Tap the person icon or picture in the top center
For a video call, select FaceTime from the options
For an audio call, select Audio
Choose your call method: Voice Call (using your carrier) or FaceTime audio
Getting “Poor Connection” Message?
Some of the enhancements of iOS and iPadOS, like Group FaceTime and using Animoji or Memoji, also increase the amount of internet bandwidth your iPhone or device needs.
If Facetime can’t send and receive data fast enough to keep up with your device’s demand, the video lags, is choppy and shows other symptoms of a poor connection.
Consequently, some folks see the “Poor Connection” notice while they are actively using FaceTime.
If you see this message, try these remedies
Remove any effects like Animoji and Memoji, filters, stickers, shapes, and text
If on a group call and you enlarged any person’s tile to its biggest possible size, tap it to go back to the standard tile size
Go to Settings > WiFi and turn it Off. Wait 20-30 seconds and then turn it back on and choose your network
Switch to a different WiFi network, preferably 5GHz, or connect via LTE if available
Renew your IP Address. Launch Settings > WiFi > Tap the “i” button > Choose Renew Lease
Toggle FaceTime off in Settings > FaceTime, wait 30 seconds, and toggle back on
Reset network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
Restart or reset your WiFi Router (see manufacturer’s instructions)
If you suspect it’s a router issue, contact your internet service provider or check with the router manufacturer
Force close the FaceTime app by double pressing Home or swiping up the Gesture Bar, then swiping the FaceTime App Preview up towards the top of your screen to close. Then relaunch FaceTime
Delete the FaceTime app and reinstall it
With iOS 11 and above, you can also offload the FaceTime app and then reinstall it
Offloading an app preserves its data and documents
Don’t See the Camera Button When on a FaceTime Call?
Wondering just how to take a photo during a FaceTime call on iOS or iPadOS? Just tap the white round live photo button that appears on screen.
Then find all your FaceTime Live Photos in your Photos App Live Photos Album!
Go to Photos > Albums > and scroll to Media Types to find Live Photos
iPhone Stuck on FaceTime? Call Not Disconnecting and Hanging Up?
Some users note that their FaceTime calls are not hanging up, even when pressing the red circled x to end the call.
After tapping end call, nothing happens, and people still see and/or hear the person they’ve called. Additionally, their home screen still shows the live call indicator (a green bar) at the top left.
This problem also occurs on macOS Mojave and Catalina!
For iPhones and iDevices, the only method that works is restarting your device via the Settings App
Go to Settings > General
Scroll all the way down and tap Shut Down
Power your device back on
At this time, this restart is the only way to end the call and make another Facetime call.
For Macs
Open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities or use spotlight search)
Click on the CPU tab
Locate and select FaceTime (use the search bar if needed)
Press the grey X to force FaceTime to quit or double click on FaceTime and choose force quit from the pop-up message
Other Issues Causing FaceTime Not Working?
If these tips didn’t fix your issue, please see the following articles for additional help
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.
I have iPad Air that only updates to iOS 12.5.3. During FaceTime I take several photos. It tells me a Live FaceTime photo has been taken. I goto Photos and none of the photos taken are there. I have the same person call me and I answer on my iPhone IOS 14 and the photos I take are in the Photos app. I have had the Apple genius counter try to fix this. No luck so far. Will Apple ever fix this??
I have a iPhone 11 and my friends have 10’s or 11’s try to Group FaceTime only will connect to one person. The others either get the invite and as soon as they connect they get disconnected or don’t receive a invite at all. Is there a problem with Group FaceTime.
Thanks
We see this problem when people run different versions of iOS–the best advice is for everyone to update to the latest iOS and then test if Group FaceTime works.
To update, first backup via iCloud/iTunes/Finder and then go to settings > general > software update and update.
My back camera has been broken, before I updated my phone to the IOS 13 my FaceTime was working perfectly fine I just can’t use my back camera because it’ll just be black.
Well as soon as I updated my phone and went to FaceTime, it would not let me open the app.
And when people ft me it doesn’t pop up on my screen it just shows a green bar at the top I try clicking on that and nothing happens I’ve restarted my phone I’ve tried just about everything & I just want some answers please and thank you
Try using a different WiFi network–it can be anywhere where there is a good and stable WiFi signal.
What happens when you tap the Sign-in button and then use your current Apple ID and password to sign in to FaceTime–are you still getting that same error?
Close the FaceTime app and then restart your iPad. If it’s in a case, remove the case temporarily and then test if FaceTime works and the camera works.
How to close an app
1. On an iPhone or an iPad with no home button from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen
2. On an iDevice with a home button, double-click the Home button and swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close
3. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close
4. Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
Tried all these fixes and FaceTime still not working, I updated my iPad to 12.2 and my FaceTime stopped working after that, please let me know what to do to fix this.
I am reluctant to update my iPhone because of this issue, I use my FaceTime option quite often and I am very disappointed that this feature is not working.
Are you seeing any error message when trying FaceTime?
Is iMessage working?
Do you share an Apple ID with anyone in your family or friends? If so, that could be the issue–with IOS 12, Apple wants each person to have their own unique Apple ID and share apps and other services via Family Sharing.
First, close all open apps by double pressing home button or swiping up the home gesture bar, and then swiping up off the top of your screen all open apps until all you see is the Home Screen.
Then restart your iPad Pro.
Launch FaceTime again and see if it now works.
If it continues not to work, try signing out of FaceTime and iMessage, restart the iPad, and then sign back into both with your Apple ID.
Hi – I have an IPhone 5 and have the lastest verson of IOS12.1.2 installed. My problem is that when I facetime I cannot flip the camera – it cuts the call off – please help
If I’m on FaceTime and want to answer a text message I swipe up open messages reply.. I can still talk to person on the phone but how do I get my FaceTime video back?
When I flip the camera on my iPad during a FaceTime call, I cannot see the images I am sending – the camera freezes on the image the “front” camera was sending. How can I fix this ? It makes it really hard to show friends and family things I used to be able to really easily before the last updates.
I have the same issue. Front camera works perfect, but front pictures freezes after selecting back camera. “Restart “ didn’t change anything. (FYI: IPAD 2)
My contacts show up grayed out in Facetime (IOS 12.2) so I can’t select them. How do I fix that? I am not trying to make a group call, just a single one on one call.
I’m on iOS 13 iPhone 11 dual sim. I try doing Group FaceTime but it’s all grayed out. I tried using group imessaging and cling on FaceTime but it’s also grayed out. I did network reset, uninstalled and installed FaceTime, I did everything but still nothing. What’s wrong?
Too many UNNECESSARY steps for camera flip during a FaceTime call and if you swipe right the camera turns back to the original position with too few steps, Apple PLEASE just enhance the turn back feature or glitche (can’t be certain) to flip to and from the forward facing camera.
I went in with it complaining about the super sensitive screen. Got to told to upgrade my software. Then the next week they come out with an open apology that some phones have a part that might need replacing. I really used to enjoy using Facetime with the new iOS I have a child’s toy. All this unnecessary crap you’ve put on has made it go from useful to frustrating. I am regretting buying the X and staying with apple.
Just tested this out and we are able to end a call by pressing the red X.
Since you see a green camera icon, it’s possible you are making a FaceTime Audio Call rather than a video call–what happens when you press the camera icon?
Some folks tell us that pressing the power button once ends FaceTime Video Calls–we tried it and it didn’t work for us, but it does for others, so see if that works for you.
If you still see this problem, try shutting down your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Shut Down (at the very bottom of the menu)
Wait 1-2 minutes and then power up your phone. Once up and running, check for a software update via Settings > General > Software Update. If there is one available, try updating via iTunes if possible. Updating with iTunes often fixes software errors like this
My iPhone X will not receive Group FaceTime calls or allow me to make a Group FaceTime call. I’ve reset network setting/ deleted FaceTime app and re-down loaded app. Still not working.
Group FaceTime is included with the update to iOS 12.1–so you either need to wait for that public release or update to the developer public beta (which is already out)
Sorry to hear that your FaceTime isn’t showing you all those fun filters. Camera effects in FaceTime require an iPhone 7 or later so it may be your iPhone model.
Models that support camera effects in FaceTime
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XS
iPhone X & XR
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7
If you are using a supported model, first try just tapping the screen again in that menu if you don’t see the Effects button.
Make sure you navigate to the correct screen by pressing the menu button (three dots) then on the second screen choose Effects.
If you’re not seeing these effects there, close the FaceTime app by pressing the Home button or swiping up the Home gesture bar and then swiping up off the top of your screen the FaceTime App Preview. Then, restart your device. And open Facetime again–see if the effects are now there.
I really appreciated this article as it clearly lays out the good and bad related to the New FaceTime.
I’m looking forward to the group facetime calls….I currently use FaceTime everyday to talk to my three daughters and my grandkids.
But I have to say the new features now make that a painful experience.
No more Live Photo is a horrible change!!!
Love snapping those shots of the grandkids when I can’t be there….and my daughters are constantly flipping the camera between themselves and their kids….makes for a great call fro gramps!!
Now that process is tedious and full of delay.
Horrible implementation from that aspect.
Hopefully Apple will fix some of this….but why wasn’t this caught during testing??? Thanks again!!!!
I couldn’t agree more, why did Apple not realize this feature did not work. Snapping pictures of my grand kids mean the world to me and no with the update I can’t.
Apple please send out a fix for this issue. The affects do not work either but capturing pictures and making memories is what its about!!!!!
I have iPad Air that only updates to iOS 12.5.3. During FaceTime I take several photos. It tells me a Live FaceTime photo has been taken. I goto Photos and none of the photos taken are there. I have the same person call me and I answer on my iPhone IOS 14 and the photos I take are in the Photos app. I have had the Apple genius counter try to fix this. No luck so far. Will Apple ever fix this??
I have a iPhone 11 and my friends have 10’s or 11’s try to Group FaceTime only will connect to one person. The others either get the invite and as soon as they connect they get disconnected or don’t receive a invite at all. Is there a problem with Group FaceTime.
Thanks
Hi Karen,
We see this problem when people run different versions of iOS–the best advice is for everyone to update to the latest iOS and then test if Group FaceTime works.
To update, first backup via iCloud/iTunes/Finder and then go to settings > general > software update and update.
My back camera has been broken, before I updated my phone to the IOS 13 my FaceTime was working perfectly fine I just can’t use my back camera because it’ll just be black.
Well as soon as I updated my phone and went to FaceTime, it would not let me open the app.
And when people ft me it doesn’t pop up on my screen it just shows a green bar at the top I try clicking on that and nothing happens I’ve restarted my phone I’ve tried just about everything & I just want some answers please and thank you
Hi Yonna,
Can you use the front camera for other apps? Test out using the Xamera app–let’s check that your front camera is still working.
If it works with the Camera app, let’s delete FaceTime and reinstall it.
Go to Settings > General > Storage–after the apps populate, locate FaceTime and tap it. Choose Delete.
Once deleted, restart your device.
After restarting, open the App Store and type in FaceTime to search for it. Tap the cloud icon to reinstall.
Once reinstalled, test it out.
Hopefully, it now works.
Liz
FaceTime has hung on ‘connecting’ since installing IOS 12.3.1.
I have gone into ‘storage’ and deleted FaceTime there.
When I now go back to FaceTime the only options are to sign in or create a new account.
I already have an Apple account but it won’t let me sign in. HELP, I’m 81 and a bit senile.
Hi Frank,
Sorry about your problems with FaceTime.
Try using a different WiFi network–it can be anywhere where there is a good and stable WiFi signal.
What happens when you tap the Sign-in button and then use your current Apple ID and password to sign in to FaceTime–are you still getting that same error?
I’ve updated IPAD to 12.4. I can’t use FaceTime but it does say camera off. Can anybody help?
Hi Hayley,
Close the FaceTime app and then restart your iPad. If it’s in a case, remove the case temporarily and then test if FaceTime works and the camera works.
How to close an app
1. On an iPhone or an iPad with no home button from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen
2. On an iDevice with a home button, double-click the Home button and swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close
3. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close
4. Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
Liz
it won’t let me use the facetime feature
Hi Lennon,
If you use iOS 12, make sure your Screen Time settings are not restricting FaceTime.
Check by going to Settings > Screen Time
Tried all these fixes and FaceTime still not working, I updated my iPad to 12.2 and my FaceTime stopped working after that, please let me know what to do to fix this.
I am reluctant to update my iPhone because of this issue, I use my FaceTime option quite often and I am very disappointed that this feature is not working.
Sincerely,
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Are you seeing any error message when trying FaceTime?
Is iMessage working?
Do you share an Apple ID with anyone in your family or friends? If so, that could be the issue–with IOS 12, Apple wants each person to have their own unique Apple ID and share apps and other services via Family Sharing.
First, close all open apps by double pressing home button or swiping up the home gesture bar, and then swiping up off the top of your screen all open apps until all you see is the Home Screen.
Then restart your iPad Pro.
Launch FaceTime again and see if it now works.
If it continues not to work, try signing out of FaceTime and iMessage, restart the iPad, and then sign back into both with your Apple ID.
You have to get messenger to get the face time effects or fine a FaceTime app that has it.
Hi – I have an IPhone 5 and have the lastest verson of IOS12.1.2 installed. My problem is that when I facetime I cannot flip the camera – it cuts the call off – please help
When I am on group facetime my phone locks the camera on/off button and I can’t change it from off. How can I change that?
I think I will just switch to Facebook messenger
“Update to iOS 12.1.1”. Great advice it isn’t available to the public yet. Only 12.1 is. Smh.
If I’m on FaceTime and want to answer a text message I swipe up open messages reply.. I can still talk to person on the phone but how do I get my FaceTime video back?
When I flip the camera on my iPad during a FaceTime call, I cannot see the images I am sending – the camera freezes on the image the “front” camera was sending. How can I fix this ? It makes it really hard to show friends and family things I used to be able to really easily before the last updates.
Alex, Have you tried a forced restart on your iPad after applying the update? Try it and see if it helps.
I have the same issue. Front camera works perfect, but front pictures freezes after selecting back camera. “Restart “ didn’t change anything. (FYI: IPAD 2)
my Group FaceTime is letting my friends show their faces but I can’t see them and also they can’t see mine it also won’t let turn the camera on butto
My contacts show up grayed out in Facetime (IOS 12.2) so I can’t select them. How do I fix that? I am not trying to make a group call, just a single one on one call.
Hi Barry,
Try deleting the FaceTime App and then reinstalling it via the App Store.
I’m on iOS 13 iPhone 11 dual sim. I try doing Group FaceTime but it’s all grayed out. I tried using group imessaging and cling on FaceTime but it’s also grayed out. I did network reset, uninstalled and installed FaceTime, I did everything but still nothing. What’s wrong?
I can’t click camera off to turn it back on and on my other friends on Group FaceTime can see each other but cannot see me.
Too many UNNECESSARY steps for camera flip during a FaceTime call and if you swipe right the camera turns back to the original position with too few steps, Apple PLEASE just enhance the turn back feature or glitche (can’t be certain) to flip to and from the forward facing camera.
Hi Sherrelyn,
Apple listened to user feedback (and complaints) about FaceTime in iOS 12.
In the upcoming iOS 12.1.1, the flip camera and mute settings return to a single screen–no submenu functions.
Hopefully, you (and many other folks) will like the return of these features to the main screen.
It’s in the beta for iOS 12.1.1, so we fully expect it to release when it goes public later this month (November 2018)
Thanks for the input,
Sam
I went in with it complaining about the super sensitive screen. Got to told to upgrade my software. Then the next week they come out with an open apology that some phones have a part that might need replacing. I really used to enjoy using Facetime with the new iOS I have a child’s toy. All this unnecessary crap you’ve put on has made it go from useful to frustrating. I am regretting buying the X and staying with apple.
How do I end a FaceTime on this new iOS? There is a green camera in place of a red x when I’m on a call.
Hi PK.
Just tested this out and we are able to end a call by pressing the red X.
Since you see a green camera icon, it’s possible you are making a FaceTime Audio Call rather than a video call–what happens when you press the camera icon?
Some folks tell us that pressing the power button once ends FaceTime Video Calls–we tried it and it didn’t work for us, but it does for others, so see if that works for you.
If you still see this problem, try shutting down your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Shut Down (at the very bottom of the menu)
Wait 1-2 minutes and then power up your phone. Once up and running, check for a software update via Settings > General > Software Update. If there is one available, try updating via iTunes if possible. Updating with iTunes often fixes software errors like this
Sam
My iPhone X will not receive Group FaceTime calls or allow me to make a Group FaceTime call. I’ve reset network setting/ deleted FaceTime app and re-down loaded app. Still not working.
Hi Meagan,
Group FaceTime is included with the update to iOS 12.1–so you either need to wait for that public release or update to the developer public beta (which is already out)
Sam
the FaceTime call won’t let me use the filters\fun effects on FaceTime.
Hi Marshae,
Sorry to hear that your FaceTime isn’t showing you all those fun filters. Camera effects in FaceTime require an iPhone 7 or later so it may be your iPhone model.
Models that support camera effects in FaceTime
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XS
iPhone X & XR
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 7
If you are using a supported model, first try just tapping the screen again in that menu if you don’t see the Effects button.
Make sure you navigate to the correct screen by pressing the menu button (three dots) then on the second screen choose Effects.
If you’re not seeing these effects there, close the FaceTime app by pressing the Home button or swiping up the Home gesture bar and then swiping up off the top of your screen the FaceTime App Preview. Then, restart your device. And open Facetime again–see if the effects are now there.
The removal of FaceTime photos is ridiculous!
My kids live far away and it is my only good photos of them at times.
Screen shots look awful. The Live Photo has a smile, laugh, or an “I love you”.
Now it is gone.
How do I remove iOS 12? How can they do this? Removing things during an upgrade?
Who cares that I can make my self a glitter-tongued unicorn? Where is my ability to take pictures of my kids? I hate this.
I really appreciated this article as it clearly lays out the good and bad related to the New FaceTime.
I’m looking forward to the group facetime calls….I currently use FaceTime everyday to talk to my three daughters and my grandkids.
But I have to say the new features now make that a painful experience.
No more Live Photo is a horrible change!!!
Love snapping those shots of the grandkids when I can’t be there….and my daughters are constantly flipping the camera between themselves and their kids….makes for a great call fro gramps!!
Now that process is tedious and full of delay.
Horrible implementation from that aspect.
Hopefully Apple will fix some of this….but why wasn’t this caught during testing??? Thanks again!!!!
I couldn’t agree more, why did Apple not realize this feature did not work. Snapping pictures of my grand kids mean the world to me and no with the update I can’t.
Apple please send out a fix for this issue. The affects do not work either but capturing pictures and making memories is what its about!!!!!