Tag Archives: facetime

FaceTime not working? Quick tips to help fix FaceTime connection issues

FaceTime is an awesome video app that helps you connect with friends and family, but with any modern application sometimes things can go wrong. One of the most common support questions is why wont my FaceTime work? If you are having issues with FaceTime not working, chances are that there is a quick fix but it could also be the sign of a more serious problem. This article will help you navigate some of the most common reasons FaceTime won’t connect.

1. Check to see if your computer or mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network as this may fix FaceTime not connecting

For Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and choose your Wi-Fi network. Double check that the internet loads by opening a browser.

For Cellular: Go to Settings > Cellular and make sure your cellular data connection is active. Also under “Use Cellular Data For” make sure FaceTime slider is in the “green” or on position.

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FaceTime Cellular Setting

2. Make sure FaceTime is turned on

You’d be surprised how many people accidentally turn this off. Go to Settings > FaceTime and check that FaceTime is turned on.

3. Make sure your cellular network supports FaceTime over mobile

Apple has setup this page to check if your cell network allows for FaceTime over cellular. It could be FaceTime Video and Audio calling isn’t available in your country or region.

4. If you have restrictions on, turn them off

Go to Settings > General > Restrictions and turn restrictions off. If you need restrictions on at the very least make sure FaceTime and Camera aren’t off under the same settings.

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Restriction Settings FaceTime

5. Make sure FaceTime is activated

Under Settings > FaceTime if you see “Waiting for Activation” turn FaceTime off then back on. If it still doesn’t activate try the other quick fixes in this article or check Apple’s support article on FaceTime activation errors. On a Mac, first open the FaceTime application then go to FaceTime > Preferences and turn FaceTime off and back on.

6. Check you are using the correct phone number and email address

Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure your proper phone number is showing. Is the email correct too?

7. Change your Date and Time to be set automatically

Go to Settings > General > Date & Time then click the”Set Automatically” button to on. On a Mac go to System Preferences > Date & Time and check the box next to “Set date and time automatically.”

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When using FaceTime Set Date & Time Automatically

8. Restart your iPad, iPhone or Mac

If all your FaceTime settings seem to be correct but you are still experiencing issues simply restart your device. If FaceTime failed, this may relieve the errors.

9. Update your operating system to the latest release

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Check to make sure your software is up to date. There is a history of expired device certificates giving FaceTime issues, recent updates have fixed this problem.

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FaceTime iPad Software Update

10. Check to see if you are using the same Apple ID on all devices

Some people end up signing up with Apple and creating different IDs. Go to Settings > FaceTime and check that your Apple ID is the same on all devices. To be sure you can sign out then sign in with the same Apple ID on all your devices.

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Apple ID FaceTime

11. Make sure the Fetch New Data is set to “Push”

On your mobile device go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Fetch New Data and and select Push. Your Apple mobile device uses this function to alert FaceTime of an incoming video call.

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FaceTime Push Data

12. Check your FaceTime blocked list

Go to Settings > FaceTime > Blocked and look at the list of names. If the person you are trying to connect to is in that list, tap on Edit and then click Remove to unblock them. Your friends and family could have been added to this list accidentally.

13. Check to see if the FaceTime application is shown on your device

If the FaceTime app is missing it could be your device was purchased in Pakistan, UAE or Saudi Arabia. FaceTime may not be available in those countries.

14. If you are still having trouble finding the FaceTime app or with FaceTime not working, restore your device

Make sure you first back up your device using iCloud or iTunes, then proceed with restoring your device. This should be one of your last options before contacting Apple Support.

Final Suggestions

We hope these tips helped fix your FaceTime not working. You can always visit Apple’s support knowledge base and forums for additional help. If you tried one of the suggestions above and it fixed your issue please let us know in the comment section below. If you tried something different to fix your FaceTime not connecting let everyone know as well.

How to use your Mac to make and receive phone calls or texts

With the release of Mac OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 Apple introduced several new features that make cross-platform communication easier and more seamless than ever. Two of those features – SMS/MMS and Call Relay – allow you to make and receive calls through the FaceTime app as well as to send and receive text messages though the Messages app. In this article we’ll show you how to enable this functionality.

What you’ll need:

  • A Mac running OS X Yosemite that’s connected to Wi-Fi
  • An iPhone running iOS 8.1 or later connected to the same Wi-Fi network that has the ability to make calls and send text messages
  • Both devices have to use the same Apple ID for iMessage/FaceTime

Note: It is important to understand that making calls and sending texts from your Mac is not free. All of the data still goes through your phone, you’re just interacting with it on your computer. So your carrier will charge you for the calls and texts as if they made through your iPhone.

Tip: Unlike Handoff, Call Relay and SMS Relay do not require Bluetooth LE communication between your Mac and iPhone in order to work, so this feature is available to all devices that run the required operating systems.

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Setting Up Call Relay

How to set up Call Relay:

  1. On your Mac, open FaceTime from Launchpad, your dock or Spotlight.
  2. Click on FaceTime in the menu bar.
  3. Click on Preferences.
  4. Ensure that the option “iPhone Cellular Calls” has a checkmark in front of it.
    Tip: At the end of the option’s description you can see the phone number that will be used to place and receive calls.
  5. On your iPhone, go into the Settings app.
  6. Open the FaceTime section.
  7. Ensure that the option “iPhone Cellular Calls” is turned on
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Use your same ID as used on your Mac

How to make and receive calls:

If you’ve ever received a FaceTime Audio call on your Mac, you already know how to receive regular phone calls since they appear in exactly the same manner. The great thing is that you don’t need to keep FaceTime open in order to receive FaceTime and cellular phone calls.

Making a phone call is more tricky. In apps like Mail, Contacts, Maps, Calendar, Safari, etc you need to hover over a phone number with your mouse until a blue phone icon appears. Clicking on it will initiate a call. The biggest drawback is that there isn’t an integrated keypad, so you can’t dial random phone numbers. Fortunately, Mac App Store apps like Keypad can add this functionality.

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Text Message Forwarding

How to set up SMS/MMS Relay:

  1. On your iPhone, go to Settings.
  2. Choose the Messages section.
  3. Enter the Text Message Forwarding menu.
  4. Enable the toggle next to your Mac’s name.
  5. On your Mac you should receive a popup with a numeric code that you need to enter on your iPhone in order to complete the setup.

Tip: If you’re not receiving your numeric code on your computer, log out of iMessage on your phone and Mac and then log back in. If that doesn’t work, try adding a new email address where you can receive iMessages and follow the steps again.

How to send and receive texts on your Mac:

Sending and receiving texts is identical to sending and receiving iMessages. Everything is done through the Messages app. If you need to text a number that’s not in your Contacts, just enter it as the recipient of a new message, type in the text and send it.