If you cannot put a FaceTime call through to a particular person, check that the individual’s contact information (phone number, email, or both) is correctly saved on your device. Check for missing digits or incorrect country code. It’s also possible that the person hasn’t configured FaceTime on their device. We suggest that you reach out to them via another communication medium/platform if you can. Conversely, if you can’t make or receive FaceTime calls to/from all your contacts, at least solution in this guide should fix the issue.
1. Re-Enable FaceTime
Unless FaceTime is enabled and activated on your iPhone, you cannot make or receive FaceTime calls. If you’re experiencing issues using FaceTime, start by checking that the service is activated for usage on your device. Step 1: Launch the Settings menu and select FaceTime. Step 2: Check that FaceTime is toggled on. If already enabled, but FaceTime still doesn’t work, toggle it off and back on.
2. Run Network Troubleshooting Checks
FaceTime audio and video calls require an active internet connection. Reboot your router if you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. For cellular data, check that you have an active internet/data plan with your network carrier. If other apps and services work with your internet connection, but FaceTime doesn’t confirm that the app has access to your device’s cellular data. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and check that FaceTime is flicked On. Connectivity issues are quite diverse and have multiple fixes. Below is a repository of useful guides for fixing connectivity-related issues on the iPhone. Check them out.
How to Fix iPhone Connected to Wi-Fi But Internet Not Working IssueA Complete Guide to Fixing iPhone Not Connecting to Wi-Fi8 Best Ways to Fix Cellular Data Not Working on iPhoneHow to Get iOS like Wi-Fi Assist on Android using SpeedifyHow to Fix Apps Only Work on Wi-Fi (iPhone and Android)
3. Check Apple ID
Like iMessage, FaceTime will not work on your device if you’re signing out of Apple ID or an issue with your account. Make sure you have the correct Apple ID connected with your FaceTime. You can try signing out and reconnecting the account with your device. Step 1: Go to Settings and select FaceTime. Step 2: Tap the Apple ID email and tap Sign Out. That will disconnect your Apple ID account from FaceTime. Wait for a couple of seconds and reconnect Apple ID with FaceTime. Step 3: Tap ‘Use your Apple ID for FaceTime.’ Step 4: Select Sign In if you want to use the existing Apple ID on your iPhone for FaceTime. Otherwise, select ‘Use Other Apple ID’ to sign in with a new account. It might take up to a minute (or less) for Apple to sync the Apple ID account and FaceTime. So you’d have to wait for the account to reappear on the FaceTime settings menu.
4. Change FaceTime Location
FaceTime might not work on your iPhone if the app’s location is set to the wrong region, particularly countries where FaceTime is blocked/restricted—Oman, UAE, Qatar, etc. Here’s how to check and change FaceTime’s location on your iPhone. Step 1: Launch Settings and select FaceTime. Step 2: Tap the Apple ID address and select Change Location. Step 3: Tap Region. Step 5: Select a country from the list and tap Save. Apple will verify your selection and effect the change.
5. Check Date & Time
Many device functionalities and apps (FaceTime and App Store, for example) won’t function correctly if your iPhone’s date and time settings are incorrect. And not just on iPhones, this also applies to FaceTime on Mac and iPad. Check that your device is configured to update date and time information automatically. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and ensure ‘Set Automatically’ is toggled on.
6. Update iOS
Bugs and other software-related issues sometimes render FaceTime unusable, particularly on devices running older iOS versions. Make sure your iPhone is up-to-date and regularly updated. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > ‘Download and Install’ the latest iOS update available on the page.
Round the Clock FaceTime
In addition to the solutions mentioned above, you can also try restarting your iPhone. That would refresh your device and might help eliminate glitches causing FaceTime to malfunction. You should also visit Apple’s System Status page to check it FaceTime’s server is online and available. Lastly, restore your device’s network configurations to factory default. And if FaceTime still doesn’t work, refer to this detailed guide to reset your iPhone. Next up: Unable to take or save FaceTime Live Photos on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Read the guide below to fix FaceTime Live Photos and make them appear again.
