Addressed in this post is a problem on the iOS 13 FaceTime connection error on an iPhone. Read on to find out what to do if FaceTime doesn’t work in iOS 13.
The rise of social media apps like Messenger has offered smartphone users more options to communicate. With constant development, these third-party messaging platforms already entrenched more advanced audio and video calling features. To evade from desolation, Apple also made sure that their very own audio and video calling platform also has a lot more cool and handy features to offer to end-users. Thus, FaceTime is constantly receiving updates. This gives more reasons for Apple device owners to stick to the built-in video and audio calling service. But despite all the updates, random FaceTime errors couldn’t be totally suppressed. In fact, some FaceTime errors also instigate from an update. And this post will attempt to address one of these issues.
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Troubleshooting iOS 13 FaceTime connection error on your iPhone
Before troubleshooting, check the Apple Server status page for any ongoing problems. This page can be accessed through the official Apple support website. If the status indicator for FaceTime shows color red or grey, it means that the service is currently unavailable due to some temporary issues. If that’s the case, there’s not much can be done on your end but to wait until Apple engineers fix the problem and get FaceTime up and running properly again.
Also check and ensure that your date and time are set correctly. If you haven’t already, set the date and time to automatic so that it will use date and time information based on your location’s current time zone.
First solution: Turn FaceTime off and on.
Like other apps, the FaceTime app can also become wobbly from an update. This is a common reaction as the app tried to adapt with the recent system changes. To deal with this issue, restarting the app is recommended. So this is what you should do first:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Toggle the FaceTime switch to the OFF position. Doing so disables FaceTime on your phone.
- After a few seconds, toggle the switch to turn FaceTime on again.
After turning FaceTime back on, launch it and see if the app is working properly again.
ALSO READ: How to fix iPhone XS iOS 13 Gmail app that’s not working, doesn’t load properly
Second solution: Sign out of and back into your Apple ID account.
The recent update changes might have caused your account logins to expire. As a result, you’ve logged out of your FaceTime account and that triggered an error. To fix this, sign out of and back into your Apple ID account to refresh your account credentials and re-authorized FaceTime login. Here’s how:
- From your Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select FaceTime.
- Tap to select your Apple ID
- Tap Sign Out to proceed.
- Sign back in with the correct Apple ID and password.
If you wish to use an alternate Apple ID, then you can use that too.
Also care to check if your Apple ID lists your current phone number (SIM phone number used on your iPhone). The use of old number or landline number will result in FaceTime errors. Just refer to these steps:
- Turn FaceTime (and iMessage) off.
- While it’s turned off, go to Settings.
- Select your Apple ID Profile.
- Tap on Name, Phone Number, Email.
- Scroll to the Reachable At section.
- Make necessary changes to your iPhone and email account in the list. And once you’re done updating this information, turn FaceTime back on again.
Then try to see if that fixes the iOS 13 FaceTime connection error.
Third solution: Reboot/soft reset your iPhone.
The next factors to eliminate if none of the first two solutions is able to rectify the FaceTime connection error are minor firmware glitches inflicted by the recent iOS update on your iPhone. This is when performing a soft reset or reboot on your iPhone system is needed. If you haven’t already, follow these steps to restart your iphone x, Xs, Xs Max, and Xr:
- Press and hold the Top button and either Volume button for a few seconds.
- Release both buttons when the Slide to Power Off label appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your device completely.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Top button again until the Apple logo appears.
On iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or earlier models with physical Home button, a soft reset is done this way:
- Press and hold down the Power/Top button for a few seconds until the Power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to power off your device.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Power/Top button until the Apple logo appears.
Wait until your phone is finished rebooting and then connects to Wi-Fi internet. As soon as your connections have stabilized, launch FaceTime again and see if the connection error is gone. Proceed to the next solution, if it isn’t.
ALSO READ: How to fix your iPhone 8 that cannot make or receive calls in iOS 13, phone bug
Fourth solution: Refresh your internet connection to fix iOS 13 FaceTime connection error.
As the error implies, the problem is more likely attribute to network errors. Thus restarting your iPhone’s Wi-Fi functions is likewise needed. Slow internet connection, intermittent or Wi-Fi drops can directly caused online apps and services to stop working or encounter errors. And that could be what’s transpiring on your FaceTime app. As resolution, refresh your internet connection with these subsequent methods:
- Go to your phone Settings-> Wi-Fi menu, then toggle the switch to turn Wi-Fi off and on.
You can also access the Wi-Fi control from the Control Center. Just pull up the control center then toggle the Wi-Fi icon off and on to restart and refresh the phone’s Wi-Fi functions.
Another way to restart wireless internet connection on your iPhone is through the Airplane mode toggle. Just refer to these steps if you wish to try it:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Select Airplane mode.
- Toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode on. Doing so disables your phone’s wireless connections and relevant functions.
- While Airplane mode is turned on, restart or soft reset your iPhone.
- After your phone reboots, go back to Settings-> Airplane Mode menu.
- Then toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode off again.
Wait for your iPhone to re-establish wireless connections.
Fifth solution: Disable restrictions for FaceTime on your iPhone.
One of the privacy/security features of your iPhone is the so-called Content & Privacy Restrictions. With this feature enabled, certain apps and features can be blocked or limited. When apps or iOS features are restricted, you may not be able to use them or they may not work as intended. To make sure this isn’t hindering the FaceTime app from working on your iPhone in iOS 13, turn off restrictions with these steps:
- From your Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
- Tap on Allowed Apps.
- Scroll down and tap on the switch next to FaceTime to allow or enable the app to run even when restrictions are enabled.
Restart your iPhone after making all these changes and then try launching FaceTime again to see if the error is gone.
ALSO READ: How to fix iOS 13 ghost touch bug on your iPhone, screen reacts even when untouched
Sixth solution: Reset all settings.
Incorrect settings and settings conflicts inflicted by the iOS 13 update overrides can also cause problems to your phone’s built-in functions. To clear this out, restoring the default values and options can help. This can be achieved by resetting all settings on your iPhone. Here’s how it’s done:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Choose Reset all settings from the given options.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Finally, tap the option to confirm all settings reset.
To eliminate network-related errors from the underlying cause, you can also reset the network settings on your phone.
- Just go to Settings-> General-> Reset menu and then select the option to Reset network settings.
All existing network configurations including customized network options and iOS 13 network overrides will be eliminated. After the reset, you can start configuring and enabling individual network values and options.
Don’t forget to reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular data network to get back online and use online services including FaceTime.
Last resort: Remove and reinstall your SIM card.
SIM card issues can also affect relevant services like FaceTime and iMessage. To eliminate these from the underlying causes, try to remove and reinstall the SIM card on your iPhone. While the FaceTime connection error had started from the recent iOS update installation, it doesn’t always denote that an iOS bug is at fault. It might have been due to some corrupt SIM card data. So here’s what you can try doing next:
- Turn off your iPhone completely.
- Insert the SIM ejector tool into the small hole on the SIM tray.
- Gently push the tool until the tray ejects.
- Remove the SIM card from the tray.
- Then place it back in place.
- Be sure to install it in the same orientation before it was removed.
- Push the tray back into the phone until it locks in place.
- Then turn your phone back on.
Wait for your device to finish booting up and then reconnect to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular data network to check and see if the FaceTime app is already working this time.
Also verify and ensure that your SIM phone numbers are activated for Facetime.
- To do this, go to your iPhone Settings-> FaceTime menu and then check to select your phone number under the “You can be reached by FaceTime at” and “Caller ID” section.
If you are using SIM and eSIM phone numbers, both numbers must be activated for FaceTime too. Just check to select both phone numbers on your FaceTime settings.
After making all these changes, restart your iPhone and then retry making a FaceTime call to see if it’s working already.
ALSO READ: How to fix iPhone XS Internet very slow after iOS 13
Still troubled with the iOS 13 FaceTime connection error on your iPhone?
The problem may not be on your end, so there’s no way for you to fix it. Network connectivity issues and account-related problems are also among the possible reasons as to why FaceTime doesn’t work on your iPhone follow the iOS 13 update. At this point, you can seek further assistance from your network service provider or carrier. Just give them a call and report the problem.
You can also escalate the issue straight to the Apple Support team so that they can check and see whether or not the problem is with the FaceTime server. Should this be found and confirmed to be an iOS 13 bug, then Apple will be obliged to issue a permanent fix.
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