FaceTime® is the video calling feature developed by Apple. Since its introduction in 2011, FaceTime has helped countless people connect across the globe. FaceTime changed the way users connected with family, friends and coworkers.
In 2018, Apple made it possible to video chat with groups of up to 32 people and over the years, FaceTime has become one of the most beloved Apple features. Especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many to rely on video chats to connect with family and friends.
With the holidays approaching, we expect many Apple users to utilize FaceTime to connect with loved ones. If you are having trouble with the group FaceTime feature on your Apple device - try the steps below to get your FaceTime groups working again!
How to Use Group FaceTime
Group FaceTime is available to everyone with an iOS enabled device that supports the service. The first thing you’ll need to do is go to Settings and then FaceTime and ensure that it is enabled for your device.
You can then open the FaceTime app on your device and start a new FaceTime or, if you are running iOS 15, create a link for a FaceTime meeting.
Tap on New FaceTime to add friends, family or coworkers to your group FaceTime. You can also start a group FaceTime from a group message.
Once a group FaceTime is created, anyone who wants to join can pick up and be added to the group.
Adding a Person to Group FaceTime
If you would like to add someone to an existing group FaceTime, from the call tap on the plus icon and then tap Add Person. Enter their contact name, phone number or email and tap Add Person to FaceTime.
What if The Group FaceTime Feature Isn’t Working?
If you can’t get the group FaceTime feature to work, try the steps below for easy troubleshooting.
Update Your Apple Device
The most common reason that group FaceTime might not be working is that your device is not running iOS 12.1 or later. You and all call recipients will need to be running iOS 12.1 or later.
You can check to see if your operating system is updated by opening Settings on your device and then tapping on General and then About.
At the top of the screen you can see Software Version. This will let you know what iOS software your device is currently running on.
To update your software, return back to the General menu and select Software Update then follow the instruction prompts. If anyone in the group has a device that is not updated, the group chat feature will not work.
Refresh Your FaceTime App
As experts we always recommend “unplugging it and plugging it back in”. Refreshing your FaceTime application is easy and can potentially fix bugs with group chats. To refresh, open your Settings menu and scroll down to FaceTime.
You’ll see a toggle button to turn your FaceTime capabilities on and off. Switch this to Off and power down your iPhone. Wait a few moments and then switch your device back on. Return to the FaceTime menu and toggle the switch back to On.
Check Your FaceTime Account
Issues with your Apple ID account may cause issues with FaceTime. Ensure that no other devices are using the same Apple ID to join the call. Each participant must have their own individual Apple ID and be signed in.
If this is not the issue, try signing out and back into your FaceTime account. To do this open your Settings menu and select FaceTime. Find your Apple Username and then hit Sign Out. Follow the on-screen prompts to sign back into FaceTime.
On a Mac, open the FaceTime application, then select Preferences and Sign Out. Sign back in by following on-screen prompts.
Internet Connection Issues
Running a group chat can be heavy on your internet’s bandwidth. If you are noticing a grey triangle with an “!” in the center - then internet connection is most likely the culprit of your FaceTime issues.
If you rely heavily on the FaceTime group chat feature then you should speak with your internet provider about upgrading your internet capabilities. You can also experiment with starting group calls in different areas of your home or workspace. You’d be surprised what a difference moving a few feet can make for your internet connection!
Have Others Review This Article
It’s not me, it’s you. If you have reviewed all the troubleshooting tips in this article and are still having trouble with group FaceTiming, it could be another person in your call. We recommend sending this article to others to ensure that their device and connection are also good to go to avoid any further issues with your group FaceTime.
We hope this article was helpful to you in solving any issues with FaceTime so you can stay connected with those most important to you.
