iMessage is Apple’s premier messaging app, so much so that it’s a reason for a lot of Apple users to stay within the company’s walled garden. The app’s rich messaging experience and the seamless integration with FaceTime is quite an enjoyable experience.
However, popularity doesn’t mean iMessage is free of random bugs and glitches. In this article, we’re going over an error where the call icon is replaced by a ‘Join’ button and giving you a few solutions to solve the problem. The same reasons and fixes also apply to the Facetime tap to join green button issue when there’s no call.
Why does it happen?
Generally, when you open an iMessage chat, you’ll see a camera icon in the top right using which you can start either a voice or video FaceTime call. However, if you see a green Join button instead, it indicates that the people in that group chat are in a FaceTime call, and you can hop on by tapping that button.
If you see the button in a personal chat, the other person is already on the call and is waiting for you to join. However, a known bug in iMessage replaces the camera button with the join button even if there’s no ongoing call. This mostly happens if the call gets dropped unexpectedly because of someone’s phone dying mid-call or their internet connectivity being lost.
Also read: iMessage waiting for activation: 8 Fixes
How to fix this?
Here are a few solutions you can try out to fix the join on iMessage error. These fixes will also work if you’re seeing the Facetime tap to join green button while there’s no call.
Check for iOS updates
A major reason for this error could be a bug in iOS. More often than not, developers realise this quickly and release patches or subsequent updates to fix such issues.
Follow these steps to ensure that you have the latest iOS version installed on your phone.
- 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.
Re-enable iMessage
Disabling iMessage and re-enabling it can freshen things up and resolve the issue.
- Head over to the settings and tap Messages.
- Turn the iMessage toggle off.
- Restart your device.
Once your device boots back up, repeat steps 1 and 2 to re-enable iMessage and check if it resolved your issue. This solution is also applicable if you’re having issues activating iMessage (or FaceTime) on a device.
Also read: How to create a custom ringtone for iPhone?
Make sure iMessage is set up properly
Another thing that you should check out is whether or not your iMessage is set up properly in the first place.
- Head over to the settings and tap Messages.
- Tap on Send & Receive.
- Under Start new conversations from, make sure that your phone number is selected.
Log out of your Apple ID and log in again
Sometimes just re-enabling iMessage isn’t enough. Doing a simple login cycle with your Apple ID can solve many other issues with your phone.
- Head over to the settings and tap Messages.
- Tap on Send & Receive.
- Tap on your Apple ID at the bottom.
- Choose Sign Out.
Now to log back in again, go to the settings menu, and you’ll see an option to sign in to your Apple account. Restart your phone once you’re done, and iMessage should be working just fine.
Also read: Does iMessage notify when you take screenshots?
