Apple devices are known for their stability, build quality and overall user experience, and this applies to everything in their product line, from the Macs to the Apple Watch.
Apart from hardware, the company also has a suite of software exclusive to Apple devices. The programs, such as FaceTime and iMessage, make it a lot easier for iPhone users to communicate.
In this article, we’re looking at 14 fixes you can try out if your Facetime isn’t working.
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Restart your device
The first thing you should try out is to restart your device. Whether you’re on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, restarting your device can get rid of many seemingly random issues. So in case, your Facetime is acting up, try restarting your device to see if that helps.
Check if Facetime is down
Another possible, although rare, reason that your Facetime isn’t working could be because Facetime actually isn’t working. The service could be down for everyone. Head over to the Apple System Status website to check if Facetime is, in fact, up and running in the first place.
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Check your internet connection
Most of Apple’s services, including Facetime and iMessage, require an internet connection to run. Facetime specifically runs best over WiFi.
Check to see you’ve got an active internet connection on your device. If you’re connected to a WiFi network, make sure you’ve got enough signal strength and speed.
Update your device
More often than not, developers will find and fix bugs in system apps or the OS and release either a patch or a subsequent update to fix such issues. If you’re facing issues with Facetime on your device, it’s a good idea to go ahead and check for updates and install if you have any. Here’s how.
- Head over to the settings and tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Ensure that you’re on the latest update available. If not, update your device immediately.
On macOS
If you’re on a Mac, you check for updates by going to Software Update from System Preferences.
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Check your ports
Facetime might not be able to run on your computer if your router or firewall blocks certain ports required for the app to function. You won’t be able to fix these issues without allowing these ports to communicate through the firewall. You can check out this article to know what ports you need to open.
Check regional availability
Facetime isn’t available globally, and even though Apple might sell its devices in your country, it may or may not offer its services there. The same applies to different cell carriers.
Check out the Apple carrier support page to check if your carrier supports Facetime. If your country doesn’t have Facetime yet, you might be able to get around this issue using a VPN.
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Check contact details
Check your Facetime contact details on your iPhone by following these steps.
- Head over to the Settings and tap on Facetime.
- Tap on the You can be reached on FaceTime at option and ensure you’ve got the right contact details there. Also, ask the person you’re calling to do the same.
On macOS
If you’re on a Mac, you can check these details by opening the Facetime app and going to Preferences from the menu bar.
Check group Facetime compatibility
If you’re unable to join group Facetime calls, the most probable cause here is either your device is too old or out of date. You need iOS 12.1.4 or above running on one of the following devices.
- iPhone 6S or later.
- iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPad (5th generation), or later
- iPod touch (7th generation)
- Any Mac running macOS Mojave 10.14.3 or later.
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Limit the number of people in group Facetime calls
Another possible reason you can’t join group Facetime calls is that there are too many people on the call. Facetime can support up to 32 people on a group call simultaneously.
However, with that many people on a call, it can be difficult to point out who’s causing issues. Start by adding people one by one to single out the person causing the issues. If your Facetime doesn’t connect, chances are there’s an issue with your internet connection or device. However, if someone else causes an issue, it can very well be a problem on their end.
Set the date and time automatically
Now this one might seem odd, but if you’ve got the wrong date and time on your device, Facetime will not work properly. The best way to get around this is to set the date and time automatically.
- Head over to the settings and tap on General.
- Tap on Date & Time.
- Make sure the Set Automatically slider is enabled.
On macOS
If you’re on a Mac, head over to System Preferences followed by Date & Time. Ensure that the Set date and time automatically box is checked that you’ve got the right timezone selected.
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Disable and re-enable Facetime
You can try disabling Facetime from the settings are re-enabling it to check if the app starts working again.
- Head over to the settings and tap Facetime.
- Disable the Facetime toggle and then enable it after a few minutes.
Now try making a Facetime call again, and this should hopefully have had fixed your issue.
On macOS
If you’re on a Mac, open the Facetime app, head over to Preferences and uncheck Enable this account. Wait for a few minutes and check the option back again.
Sign out of Facetime and sign back in again
Signing out of Facetime and signing back in again can help freshen things up and hopefully resolve any issues you’re facing on the way. Here’s how.
- Head over to settings and tap FaceTime.
- Tap your Apple ID
- Choose Sign Out.
Once you’re logged out, log back in again using the same Apple ID and check if you can make Facetime calls now.
On macOS
Open the Facetime app and head over to the Preferences from the menu bar. Click on the Sign Out button at the top of the window and confirm the action. Once you’re logged out, log in again to see if Facetime works.
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Test your device hardware
If you’re able to make calls, but people can’t see or hear you, chances are you have some hardware issue with your camera or mic. One way you can test both of them is simply by opening the camera app on your iPhone and recording yourself speaking to the front camera. If the recording is fine, you’re good to go. You can use the Photo Booth app for the same on a Mac.
If you do have problems, we’re already covered some camera troubleshooting tips in a previous article. If those can’t help you out, you’re going to have to get in touch with Apple Support.
Another rather silly thing that can happen from time to time is when people forget to enable their cameras or mics when on a call. Swipe up on the screen to reveal the camera and mic controls and ensure that neither of those is disabled.
Disable Facetime restrictions
If you’re not able to see the Facetime icon at all on your device, chances are it’s getting trapped in some screentime or content restrictions by accident. Follow these steps to fix this.
- Head over to the settings and tap Screen Time.
- Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Head over to Allowed Apps.
- Make sure that the Facetime and Camera apps are enabled.
On macOS
On a Mac, head over to System Preferences followed by Screen Time. Select Content & Privacy from the sidebar, and under the Apps tab, check the Facetime and Camera apps.
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