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Many people use FaceTime to video chat with their family and friends. When FaceTime malfunctions, it can be frustrating. However, there are solutions for common reasons that cause this application to stop working.
FaceTime is an application made by Apple that allows users to video chat with one another. This app is not compatible with any operating system such as Windows or Android. When it works correctly, FaceTime is not hard to use, but problems with this app sometimes stem from the user, not the app. Therefore, it is important to know the basics of using FaceTime.
To use FaceTime on an iPhone, the user must first click on the contacts app. Then, he has to tap the correct contact listing for the person with whom he wants to chat. After clicking on the person's name, the user will see a FaceTime option, which he should tap. To make an audio-only telephone call through FaceTime, the user must click on the button labeled audio call. For a video chat, the user can click on the option that says video call.
With a few limitations, FaceTime works on all four Apple devices. FaceTime is compatible with a Mac OS X, iPhone4 and newer models, fourth-generation iPod touch models and iPad 2 tablets. Older devices do not work with FaceTime.
The first step to successfully making a FaceTime call is for the user to sign in with his Apple ID and password. The same step also applies to the other FaceTime user.
To begin, the user should tap on the settings icon. Then, he must scroll to locate the FaceTime button. Once he locates the FaceTime button, a green switch will appear next to FaceTime, which means the software is enabled. If the switch does not look green, the user can toggle the switch, and it will turn green. Finally, the user's Apple ID, email address and telephone number should be listed below the switch.
At this point, the user should be signed into FaceTime. If the user is unable to make a call, he should repeat the aforementioned log in instructions. If he is unable to make a call on the second attempt, the user should reset the device. In some cases, a device reset can solve a software connection issue.
For the user to fix his FaceTime issue, he has to figure out the source of the problem. If the user cannot get FaceTime to work with any person he tries to contact through the app, it is likely that the user's iPhone is the cause of the problem. However, if FaceTime works with everyone else except for one person he tries to call through the app, the other person's device is probably to blame.
If FaceTime works with everyone except for one person, that person may have a network connection problem or an iPhone software issue. Alternatively, that person may have turned off his FaceTime app. The user should try to make a call with FaceTime to this person, so he can determine if the other person's iPhone is the problem.
Although both the user and the person he wants to call may have the FaceTime app, FaceTime will not work if it is used in an area without service. There are some cell phone carriers and countries that do not support the FaceTime app. Therefore, this app will not work if either the user or the other person tries to make a FaceTime call with a non-supporting carrier.
Security software and firewalls can keep FaceTime from working properly. If the user has a firewall on his iPhone, the firewall may be blocking the ports that FaceTime needs to function. The steps for disabling the security software on the user's iPhone depend on the software itself, so the user should view the software manufacturer's instructions on how to turn off the software that is preventing FaceTime from running.
If the user cannot get FaceTime to work after trying the above-listed tips, the following information provides troubleshooting ideas for each type of Apple device.
If the user wants to FaceTime chat on his iPhone, he must sign in with his Apple ID and password. He must also have an active data plan with his service provider or another type of internet connection, and he must be in a location that supports FaceTime. Since the majority of cell phone carriers require customers to choose a data plan when they purchase a smartphone, the user should probably have a data plan in place.
FaceTime does not necessarily require the user to have a data plan. Instead, the user can connect his iPhone to a Wi-Fi network. This is excellent for situations when the user is not in an area where he can get a signal. Using FaceTime over a Wi-Fi connection also keeps data usage down. To make sure he is connected to a Wi-Fi network, the user can look at the top of his iPhone's screen. If he sees LTE, 3G/4G or a Wi-Fi icon, the user will know that the phone is connected to the Wi-Fi network. However, FaceTime will not work over Wi-Fi if the network's signal is not strong enough.
If the user is unable to get a working internet connection on his iPhone through data or Wi-Fi, he should contact his service provider. Occasionally, a billing issue or a service outage can keep an iPhone from connecting to the internet.
An easy solution that the user can try to fix his FaceTime problem is to completely power down the iPhone. Once the iPhone is off, he should power on the device. To turn off the iPhone, the user must press and hold the power button, which is positioned on the right of the device if the user has an iPhone 6 or later model. The power button on an iPhone 5 or earlier model is located on the top of the phone. Once the slide to turn off message is displayed, the user should swipe his finger across the display screen. The iPhone will power down in approximately 20 seconds. Then, all the user needs to do to turn on his phone is to hold down the iPhone's power button. When he sees the Apple logo, he can release the power button.
If the iPod user is signed into FaceTime, he should ensure that his iPod is within range of the Wi-Fi network to which he wants to connect, and the network must have a strong signal. Without an adequate Wi-Fi connection, the user will not be able to use FaceTime on his iPod.
A Mac computer must have a connection to the internet through either a mobile hotspot or a Wi-Fi network in order for the user to chat on FaceTime. There are a few tips the user can try if the Mac has an internet connection, but he cannot make a FaceTime call.
To fix a problem with an Apple ID, the user should look for the magnifying glass, which is at the top right corner. Then, he must click on the magnifying glass to open spotlight. To search for FaceTime, the user should type FaceTime into the spotlight bar and double click FaceTime in the search results. Next, the user must click on the app's menu at the top left of the display. From there, he should select preferences to find out if he is logged in with his Apple ID. If he is not logged in, the user should sign in with his Apple ID.
At this point, he can test FaceTime by trying to make a call through the app. In the event that a waiting for activation message appears after the user is signed into FaceTime, he should log out of the app. Then, he can sign into FaceTime again. This method often fixes an Apple ID issue.
If all the previous Mac troubleshooting tips fail, the user should check the computer's date and time. If the date and time are incorrect, the user will not be able to make a FaceTime call. To update the Mac's date and time, the user should look for the Apple menu at the top left corner of the computer's screen. After clicking on the menu, he should select system preferences. Next, he should select clock date and time. Finally, he must click the tab that says date and time.
The user should enable the set automatically option if it is not already enabled. To enable the computer to automatically set the date and time, the user must click the lock, which can be found on the lower left side of the Mac's screen. The computer will prompt the user to log in with his password. Once he signs in, the user should check the box that allows the computer to automatically set the date and time. Finally, the user must choose the nearest city from the pull-down menu in order for the computer to follow the correct time zone.
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