If you find yourself frustrated by FaceTime issues, don't worry, there are a lot of things you can do to try and fix it. You just have to know where to start. Show
Here's a breakdown of why your FaceTime app might be having issues, and troubleshooting tips to try. What to check for when FaceTime isn't workingThere could be a few reasons that your FaceTime isn't working (some of which are beyond your control). So before you start troubleshooting, make sure that:
If those aren't the problem, you can start troubleshooting. How to troubleshoot when FaceTime isn't workingCheck your Wi-Fi connectionYou need an internet connection (either via Wi-Fi or a cellular-data connection) to use FaceTime — if you're not seeing a Wi-Fi signal where it usually appears, you may need to go into your settings and turn Wi-Fi off and then back on again. It's also a good idea to run an internet speed test to ensure you have a stable connection. Make sure your cellular data is onIf you're trying to connect via cellular data, make sure that's switched on in your settings. Go into your Settings app and tap Cellular. Make sure that Cellular Data is enabled at the top of the page. Then scroll down to the Cellular Data section, and make sure FaceTime is enabled for cellular use in the list of apps. Enable Cellular Data at the top of the page and scroll to enable FaceTime for cellular data use. InsiderCheck that FaceTime is turned onGo into your iPhone or iPad's Settings app, tap FaceTime, and make sure that the toggle next to FaceTime is enabled. If you see a "Waiting for activation" notification, toggle FaceTime off and then on again. Make sure that FaceTime is toggled on. Devon DelfinoIf you aren't seeing FaceTime at all, go from the Settings app to Screen Time, and then Content & Privacy Restrictions, followed by Allowed Apps. Then make sure both the camera and FaceTime are allowed by that device. Make sure you're signed inTo use FaceTime, you need to be signed in with your Apple ID or phone number. You can check this by going to your Settings on an iPhone or iPad and making sure that below the FaceTime toggle, your phone number or Apple ID is listed. On a Mac, open FaceTime, tap FaceTime on the top menu bar, select Preferences from the dropdown, and make sure that your phone number (or Apple ID) is listed correctly in the Settings tab. If your information isn't listed, sign into your device using an Apple ID or phone number from those pages. Make sure that your Apple ID or phone number is listed. Devon DelfinoRestart your deviceSometimes a quick restart can fix issues like apps not working. Try restarting your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Update your device's softwareIf you haven't updated your device's operating system in a while, that could be the issue. Try updating your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you're still having issues, it could be that the person you're trying to call is experiencing issues, like a weak Wi-Fi connection. Double-check this by trying to FaceTime someone else. Or if your network is behind a firewall, you might have to ask your administrator to enable the necessary ports to let FaceTime work.
Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino. Read more Read less You are here: Home / How-to / Why Is FaceTime Not Working or Not Available? How To Troubleshoot FaceTime To Fix Your Problems I love using FaceTime to chat with friends and family who don’t live close by. So when FaceTime’s not working or shows that it’s unavailable, it’s a real problem in my household! If FaceTime isn’t working for you, you are not alone! Learn what to do when you just can’t get FaceTime to work. Try These Quick Tips and Get FaceTime Working Again!
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) This article outlines basic FaceTime troubleshooting tips. For more in-depth learning with specific iOS versions, please select our related articles. Related Articles
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Using a Specific iOS version?
Not All Countries Support FaceTimeUnfortunately, FaceTime is not available in all countries (such as the United Arab Emirates).  Further, with FaceTime, you make video and audio calls ONLY with another iPhone (4th generation or later), iPad (2nd generation or later), iPod Touch (4th generation), or Mac using either a WiFi or Cellular Data connection. Visit this Apple Site to learn what services and companies support FaceTime in your home country! And of course, FaceTime only works with Apple products!FaceTime is not compatible with Android phones, tablets, or Windows computers. 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. And others found this problem when using a Mac with macOS Catalina 10.15.4 to older iOS versions and OS X versions. With this issue, Facetime gets stuck at ‘connecting‘ for both inbound and outbound calls. To fix these issues, update to iOS and iPadOS 13.4.1 or above. For Macs running macOS Catalina, update your macOS to the latest macOS version (Apple released a supplemental update for macOS Catalina 10.15.4.) Apple says the issue is now fixed in this version and higher. Is FaceTime Showing Unavailable For A Specific Person?If you see an unavailable notice when trying to call a specific person using FaceTime, it’s possible that the person isn’t taking calls at the moment. There are a variety of reasons why a person shows up as unavailable in FaceTime
When you see FaceTime Unavailable, it usually indicates a problem at the receiving end of your call. Try contacting the person using a different method (like texting via the Leave a Message icon within FaceTime, calling via the Phone App, or emailing) and let them know you are unable to FaceTime with them. Why is My FaceTime Not Working On My iDevice or Mac?There are a bunch of reasons why FaceTime doesn’t work on your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac. We’re outlining the top reasons why in this article AND give you the tools to fix FaceTime when it’s acting up. 1. Check Apple ServersSometimes even Apple goes down. So it’s a good idea to check in with Apple’s System Status to see if there are any on-going service issues with FaceTime and associated services like iMessage and iCloud. 2. Toggle WiFi On and Off Or Switch To Cellular DataRefresh your internet connection by disabling and then re-enabling WiFi. Go to Settings > WiFi and toggle it off. Wait 30 seconds and toggle it back on. Alternatively, if using a device with LTE Data, go to Settings > Cellular and toggle Cellular Data off and on. 3. Try an iMessageAsk someone to send you an iMessage before you try to FaceTime. This often helps Apple Servers, your router, and your iDevice to get things going! 4. Change Your DNS5. Restart Your DeviceA reboot often fixes these types of issues for Macs and iDevices. And if a restart doesn’t help, try a forced restart. To restart a Mac
Restart an iDeviceHow-To Perform a Forced Restart on iDevices
6. Set Your iDevice’s and Mac’s Date & Time to Automatic
Many FaceTime problems are due to incorrect dates or times on your devices. If Apple Servers find a mismatch between your device’s date or time and FaceTime’s server’s time for your current location, FaceTime, iMessage, and other Apple services won’t work, and the verification fails 7. Turn Off All RestrictionsIf using any restrictions or parental controls on the device, turn these off temporarily, until you get FaceTime working again. To check if Restrictions are Enabled
8. Using a Firewall on Your Mac?Check that you enable the following ports for FaceTime when using a firewall. Firewall Ports FaceTime
FaceTime Not Working: Activating ProblemsIf you are unable to activate FaceTime, try the following:
FaceTime Not Working: Tips for Making or Receiving FaceTime Calls
FaceTime Not Working: Using iOS 10 and Above?
Using iOS 11 and Above? Try Offloading!For folks using iOS 11, Apple offers a new feature called offloading that’s similar to delete. However, instead of removing the app and your data, offloading removes that app only but keeps all the apps documents and data. To offload an app
FaceTime Camera Not Showing You?A few of our readers tell us that their iPhones’ cameras stop working while on FaceTime calls. In most cases, users can see their friends, but their friends cannot see them. Instead, your camera shows a black screen. If you experience this problem while making FaceTime calls, close out all the suspended apps in the app switcher that have access to your camera by double pressing Home or swiping up the Home Gesture Bar and then swiping up on the App Previews of all apps that use the camera. Close FaceTime’s App Preview too! Then relaunch FaceTime and see if your camera now shows your beautiful face to your callers! Live Photos Not Working on FaceTime?
When FaceTime’s Live Photo feature works, both you and the people you call receive a notification that a Live Photo was taken. Then, that Live Photo saves directly into your Photos library. If group FaceTime isn’ working, check out the tips in our article on troubleshooting FaceTime for iOS 12+ and iPadOS. FaceTime Not Recognizing Your Phone Number?
FaceTime Not Ringing When Somebody Calls?If you see missed FaceTime calls, but did not hear a ring, check that “Push” is enabled in your Mail settings. Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts (for older iOS, check Accounts & Passwords or Mail) and make sure that Fetch New Data is set to Push. If enabled, toggle it off, wait a few seconds, and then toggle it back on. Apple’s servers need to have a recent internet address for the “location” of your iDevice to work! Look at these other settings when FaceTime doesn’t ring
No FaceTime Notifications?Go to Settings > Notifications > FaceTime > Allow Notifications Check out this article for more tips on troubleshooting missing alerts and notifications. Missing FaceTime App?
Reader Tips
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA. Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years. In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations. Why isn't my FaceTime working on my iPhone?Go to Settings and tap Cellular or tap Mobile Data, then turn on FaceTime. If you're using an iPad, you might see Settings > Cellular Data. Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure that FaceTime is on. If you see "Waiting for Activation," turn FaceTime off and then on again.
How do I get my FaceTime video to work?Using FaceTime: Android Phones Don't Have An App
To do so, open the FaceTime app and tap Create Link at the top of the app, which is a new option in FaceTime, and then choose how and with whom you want to share the link. If you like, you can also add a custom name for your chat.
How do you activate your FaceTime?Apple iPhone - Turn FaceTime On / Off. From a Home screen on your Apple® iPhone®, navigate: Settings. FaceTime. . If an app isn't available on your Home screen, swipe left to access the App Library.. Tap the. FaceTime switch. to turn on or off .. |
How to get your facetime to work
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