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Apple’s fix for FaceTime woes in iOS 6? Upgrade to iOS 7

Apple has released a new support document explaining some of the issues that iOS 6 users have experienced lately when trying to make FaceTime calls. Along with an explanation, there’s finally a fix in sight that’s also detailed on the support page. What’s the fix? Update to iOS 7.

First spotted by MacRumors, the support document informs users of a pretty obvious solution to the problem. If you’re using a device that supports iOS 7, you’ll need to update to the latest version of iOS 7. If the device in question isn’t compatible with iOS 7, update to iOS 6.1.6 to resolve the FaceTime bug.

From the support document:

If you started to have issues making or receiving FaceTime calls after April 16, 2014, your device or your friend’s device may have encountered a bug resulting from a device certificate that expired on that date. Updating both devices to the latest software will resolve this issue.

If you’re using iOS 7.0.4 or later or iOS 6.1.6, this issue doesn’t affect you.

If you’re using these versions of OS X or FaceTime for Mac, this issue doesn’t affect you:

– OS X Mavericks v10.9.2 or later
– OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 with the latest security updates
– OS X Lion v10.7 with the latest security updates
– FaceTime for Mac version 1.0.5 or later for Mac OS X v10.6

If you’re not fond of iOS 7’s design, but value FaceTime, it looks like you’ll finally have to give in. This FaceTime issue began earlier in April and gained recognition thanks to a lengthy forum thread in Apple’s Support Communities. The bug appeared after another mysterious issue that prevented first generation Apple TV units from connecting to Apple’s iTunes store.

I guess you’ll need to stay up-to-date with iOS if you enjoy using important features on your device. I’m not a fan of Apple forcing users to update, but it seems like this is the only option if you have an iOS 7-compatible device.

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Comments

  1. saeid abedi (@s_abedi96) - 10 years ago

    shame on them. This is not the Apple i used to know :||| 3 devices out of 10 on iOS 6 and 5, now shall I update them??? never

    • rahhbriley - 10 years ago

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah gooood one. The Apple you used to know. **Shaking my head** This sounds exactly like the Apple I’ve known for the last 15 years (when I got my own Mac). I’m not saying it is right or trying to justify their actions, its crummy, I’ve giving you that. But were you not around for “antennagate?” That’s just one highly public example. Do you remember MobileMe? Sorry.
      They are really awesome on some things, but at the same time they do stuff to let you down, and move slow on responding to certain things. Like all of us, they have good and bad qualities about them. They aren’t perfect, but their products are damn close.
      The Apple you used to know…

    • PMZanetti - 10 years ago

      Just update. Not a big deal. Not interested in your reasons for not updating.

      • Kelly Lesperance - 10 years ago

        Then shut up. People have their reasons for not updating.

      • Avenged110 - 10 years ago

        If you’re not interested in hearing the reasons, then you shouldn’t say it’s not a big deal.

      • Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

        To those telling this guy to shut up, I’d suggest you be the ones to shut up. He is correct that with the release of iOS 7.1.1, there is NO JUSTIFICATION for staying with an older, inferior, and less secure OS, period. Those at this point who don’t upgrade, for whatever ridiculous reasons they can concoct, are just being plain stupid.

      • Actually there is a reason not to update it’s called choice. If a person chooses not to update that is not stupid they have just as much right to choose not to update as someone who chooses to update. What is stupid is to complain that Apple is forcing you. Apple isn’t forcing anyone it’s simple FaceTime doesn’t work on any iOS older than 7. So the choice is upgrade and use it or don’t upgrade. It’s a crappy choice but it is a choice. There are devices on other platforms that are only a few years old and can’t get the next OS update. Yet on iOS we have so many options we can choose not to update SMH

    • I seriously don’t get what the fuss is about. iOS 7.1.1 seems really stable and I am loving the experience thus far. It takes a while to get used to the new design but it is worth it. Most of the issues of iOS 7 have been resolved thankfully.

    • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

      So shut up and stop complaining. This is now YOUR fault.

    • zammitluke - 10 years ago

      If you’re so arrogant and refuse to update your device, don’t complain when things stop working.

  2. KlazienaT (@KlazienaT) - 10 years ago

    It might be me, but to me this article makes no sense. After all, it says (twice) that the bug is fixed in iOS 6.1.6

    “If you’re using iOS 7.0.4 or later or iOS 6.1.6, this issue doesn’t affect you.”

    Last time I checked iOS 6.1.6 still has the old layout. So no need to upgrade to iOS 7. Not for this reason anyway.

    Which leads me to the question: why is the title (and quite a lot of the text) of this article about Apple forcing users to iOS 7??

    • Avenged110 - 10 years ago

      People with devices that aren’t iPod touch 4th generation or iPhone 3GS are still on ≤6.1.4 and either have to update to update to iOS 7 and stay on iOS 6 and not use FaceTime.

      • KlazienaT (@KlazienaT) - 10 years ago

        Ah, I didn’t know that iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 3 couldn’t upgrade to iOS 6.1.6.
        But they can’t upgrade that hardware to iOS7 anyway then, so they would have to get newer hardware.

        Still don’t really get the fuss about it though. The 3G was launched in 2008. At some point Apple stops releasing upgrades for previous generations. Supporting hardware that is up to 5 years old (the 3GS) still doens’t sound too bad to me.

      • Avenged110 - 10 years ago

        The commotion is just that they released a patch for devices from 2009 and 2010 but for anything capable of being upgraded to iOS (like an iPhone 5) the only option to use FaceTime is to update it to iOS 7. And some of us, myself included, refuse to do that.

      • paulywalnuts23 - 10 years ago

        Then be without FaceTime till iOS 8 and hope that you like the way it looks and works better than iOS 6.

  3. Ashley Brandt (@agbasher) - 10 years ago

    This is incredibly frustrating. Apple is acting like Kim Jong-Un and “forcing” us to accept Ive’s esoteric meanderings over Forstall’s brilliant UI.

    • Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

      Oh please, just upgrade already and stop whining. Are you seriously saying you’re going to deny yourself the security, feature, and efficiency upgrades of iOS 7.1.1 because of the flipping icons?! Don’t be one of those people who can’t stand change, the world will not stop on the account of people like you.

      • Ashley Brandt (@agbasher) - 10 years ago

        That is a mischaracterization of where I stand. I’m sorry that I don’t like mediocrity. Apple can do better both with iOS design and UI and with how they strong-arm users to switching.

    • daitenshe - 10 years ago

      Woooooow. Is that going to be this generation’s version of “x is acting like Hitler”?

  4. Allan Leonard - 10 years ago

    Or revert to Skype.

  5. Avenged110 - 10 years ago

    Guess I’m not using FaceTime ever again…too bad.

    • Edison Wrzosek - 10 years ago

      And another user who acts like an old dog that can’t learn new tricks, and doesn’t want to accept change.

      Accept it, technology marches on forward, and won’t stop for people like to hold their hands.

      • Anthony March - 10 years ago

        iOS 7 is more of a step sideways with a paint job thrown in. I’ll stick with my jailbroken iOS 6 until I get a look at 8.

      • Avenged110 - 10 years ago

        Gotta wonder why you’re all so upset by this, it was a rather objective comment. So what if I prefer the older versions? I’m not complaining. I understand tech moves forward and always will, and I don’t care. If I choose to stay with an outdated OS, that’s my prerogative. No need to be so derisive.

    • Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

      One less whining moron to spread FUD about Apple. I’m sure they’re saddened at their loss.

  6. Kevin Rye (@RyeMAC3) - 10 years ago

    My wife has an iPad 2 and really didn’t want to upgrade to iOS 7 in fear that it’ll just slow her iPad down even more. She uses FaceTime every day and after a week without it, it was killing her. She finally pulled the trigger and upgraded. Although there’s no noticeable slow down (so far) FaceTime still doesn’t work.

  7. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 10 years ago

    I’ve been using both iOS for several months now, iOS6 (iPod Touch5) and iOS7 (iPad Mini)
    And there is no way in hell I will downgrade to iOS7 just to fix a FaceTime bug.
    I have some apps that only work in iOS6 and I prefer that user interface.
    Apple should give more flexibility to their customers and let anyone use OS 6.1.6 if they want to.
    I think Apple can and should support at least one generation old OS, especially when the UI is much different.
    My Mother is 72yo and at her age she wont downgrade to iOS7, and have to relearn a different user interface.
    Not happy about this.

    • bobbymac9 - 10 years ago

      Ya, removing a feature is BS. Apple has sunk to new lows. 25M customers *MUST* be wrong not wanting to upgrade.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      There are plenty of good reasons for not upgrading.
      1 – some Apple updates make things worse.
      2 – updates require giving up memory space that can be used for other things, such as the creative projects Apple is now promoting. So your choice is to delete your work or add more memory (which you can do on a Samsung but not iPhone). Or buy a new phone.

      Not all updates are bad for each user, but not all updates are good.
      Anyone who has blind faith and fails to do their own research is foolish.

  8. cocowheats - 10 years ago

    Wow, what a bunch of cry babies. If you don’t want to stay current with iOS for whatever your reasons might be then by all means don’t. However, don’t expect Apple to be able to troubleshoot your device. It’s that simple.

    I also want to point out that when Google releases an update to Android I never hear one complaint but only praise. Shows how completely different the mentality is for both customer bases.

    • herb02135go - 10 years ago

      Really? Because YOU aren’t aware of complaint means THEY must be idiots?
      Which websites/publications do you rely on for your “insight?” This one?

      fail

      • cocowheats - 10 years ago

        Complaint? I assume you mean complaints, as in “there are many complaints about this new software update.” I don’t know if you even read my comment coherently. I clearly said, “what a bunch of cry babies.” I never called anyone any idiot. Also, what have you heard people complain about with any new release of Android? Please do tell.

  9. RTouris (@RTouris) - 10 years ago

    There’s very good reason why NOT to upgrade those devices..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiexvSvG_5E

  10. Edward Ryan - 10 years ago

    Is Edison paid off by Apple or something… For those not updating because of looks…OK that’s not a big deal. But some of us nerds actually have unlimited legitimate reasons for avoiding iOS 7…

    I’d bet my iPhone has at least 5 times the functionality and features of any of yours… And an up(down)grade to iOS 7 would currently cripple half of that. I own 9 iPhones (1-3G, 6-4, 1-4S, 1-5) 2 iPod touches (1-2nd, 1-4th) and have helped dozens of friends with their iDevices… It’s sort of a hobby of mine.

    The reason for so many old iPhone 4 devices, is that those can be downgraded from iOS 7 to iOS 6, back and forth as much as I want. This allows me to experiment with both versions extensively. (Disclaimer: A forced downgrade to iOS 6 without saved SHSH is not easy for most and can result in many problems, I don’t recommend it for anyone who doesn’t know exactly what they’re doing)

  11. scslg1 (@rastascience) - 10 years ago

    FUCK YOU APPLE FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU. I WILL NEVER UPDATE AND IF YOU LIMIT THE USE OF MY PHONE ILL JUST SWITCH AND MANY PEOPLE WILL TOO. FUCK YOU, OH YEAH AND ONE MORE TIME, FUCK YOUU.

  12. April VanValkenburg - 10 years ago

    I never update my computer and for good reason. I duped myself Again and did it…and what happened…I lost my access to my pictures because suddenly iPhoto isn’t supported by my new system. Hmmmmm…every time I lose either music or photos.

  13. Mario Naumann - 10 years ago

    So what Apple (and some of the people writing comments) says is that Key Features of the OS are depending on Certificates that cannot be updated seperately? There are several good reasons to not update i.e. a iPhone 4 to iOS7 and higher. The main reason is performance. And whoever says “Not true, it runs great!” hasnt seen two iPhone4s with both OS’s run side by side. To always update will make the phone almost useless at some point (has always been like that and its not only an Apple-Issue). The real problem with Apple is that they claim “what a success, everyone is using the latest iOS, blabla….!” and the only reason for that is that the average user is unable to revert to a prior OS-Version if he doesnt like how the new one performs on his older device. As a developer I am fine spending money for new devices every few years but if it was just for private use, people should just not rely on the Apple Infrastructure too much, not update to an OS that comes out together with a new iPhone and use platform independent third party software for communication.