View source for FaceTime

{{Short description|Apple videotelephony service}}
{{About|the Apple product}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox software
| name = FaceTime
| title = FaceTime
| logo = FaceTime iOS.svg
| logo_size = 64px
| screenshot = FaceTime screenshot.png
| screenshot_size = 280px
| caption = FaceTime running on an iPhone 13
| developer = [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]
| replaces = [[iChat]]
| released = {{Plainlist |
* '''iOS''': {{Start date and age|2010|06|24}} (with iOS 4)
* '''Mac''': {{Start date and age|2011|02|24}} (with Mac OS X 10.6.6 “Snow Leopard”)
}}
| latest release version =
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| programming language =
| operating system = {{Plainlist |
* '''iOS''': [[iOS 4|4.0]] and later
* '''iPadOS'''
* '''Mac''': [[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|Mac&nbsp;OS&nbsp;X 10.6.6]] and later
* '''tvOS''': [[tvOS 17|17.0]] and later
}}
| platform = {{Flatlist |
* [[iPhone]]
* [[Apple Watch]]
* [[iPad]]
* [[iPod Touch]]
* [[Macintosh|Mac]]
* [[Apple TV]]
* [[Web application|Web]] (participation in ongoing calls, web version not available in [[Mainland China|China mainland]])
}}
| genre = [[Videotelephony]], [[Voice over IP]]
| license = [[Proprietary software]]
| website = {{unbulleted list
| [https://www.apple.com/ios/facetime FaceTime for iOS]
| [https://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/ FaceTime for Mac]
}}
}}
{{macOS sidebar}}
'''FaceTime''' is a [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] [[videotelephony]] product developed by [[Apple Inc.]] FaceTime is available on supported [[iOS]] mobile devices running [[iOS 4]] and later and Mac computers that run {{nowrap|[[Mac OS X Snow Leopard|Mac OS X 10.6.6]]}} and later. FaceTime supports any iOS device with a forward-facing camera and any [[Macintosh|Mac]] computer equipped with a FaceTime Camera. FaceTime Audio, an audio-only version, is available on any [[iDevice|iOS device]] that supports [[iOS 7]] or newer, and any Mac with a forward-facing camera running [[OS X Mavericks|OS X 10.9.2]] and later.
FaceTime is included for free in iOS and macOS from {{nowrap|[[Mac OS X Lion]]}} (10.7) onwards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/what-you-need-to-know-about-deleting-apple-apps-on-ios-10/ |first1=Jason |last1=Cipriani |date=Sep 12, 2016 |title=Deleting Apple apps on iOS 10? There's a catch.|newspaper=CNET|access-date=2016-12-08|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113849/http://www.cnet.com/how-to/what-you-need-to-know-about-deleting-apple-apps-on-ios-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the release of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, non-Apple systems can be used to participate in FaceTime calls using a [[Web application|web client]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-15-you-can-finally-facetime-between-iphone-and-android-heres-how/|title=iOS 15: You can finally FaceTime between iPhone and Android. Here's how|date=2021-10-17|access-date=2021-10-28|website=CNET|last=DeNisco Rayome|first=Alison|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119124733/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-15-you-can-finally-facetime-between-iphone-and-android-heres-how/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==History==
Apple bought the "FaceTime" name from FaceTime Communications, which changed its name to [[Actiance]] in January 2011.<ref name="FaceTime Communications">{{cite web|url=http://facetime.com/LearnMore.aspx|title=Our name|work=Learn More|publisher=FaceTime Communications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609083307/http://www.facetime.com/LearnMore.aspx|archive-date=June 9, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=June 7, 2010|quote=Apple has announced that it will use 'FaceTime' as the trademark for its new video calling application. Our agreement with Apple to transfer the FaceTime trademark to them comes as we are rebranding our company to better reflect our capabilities. This is an Apple app that should come with your Apple product. We will be announcing a new name in the coming months.|df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmagazineuk.com/facetime-communications-confirms-its-change-of-name-to-actiance/article/561413/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220331/https://www.scmagazineuk.com/facetime-communications-confirms-its-change-of-name-to-actiance/article/561413/|archive-date=2018-06-22|title=FaceTime Communications confirms its change of name to Actiance|date=2011-01-25|work=SC Media UK|access-date=2018-06-22|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref> On June 7, 2010, Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]] announced FaceTime in conjunction with the [[iPhone 4]] in a [[stevenote|keynote speech]] at the [[Apple Worldwide Developers Conference|2010 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference]]. Support for the fourth generation [[iPod Touch]] (the first model of iPod Touch equipped with cameras) was announced in conjunction with the device's release on September 8, 2010. On March 2, 2011, FaceTime support was announced for the newly introduced [[iPad 2]], which had forward- and rear-facing cameras.
On February 24, 2011, FaceTime left beta and was listed in the [[Mac App Store]] for [[United States dollar|US$]]0.99. Apple claims that it intended to provide the application free of charge, however, a provision of the [[Sarbanes–Oxley Act]] (2002) bars companies from providing an unadvertised new feature of an already-sold product without enduring "onerous accounting measures".<ref name="Macgasm">{{cite web|url=http://www.macgasm.net/2011/02/24/apple-charge-facetime|title=Apple charges for FaceTime|last=Macgasm|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-date=February 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227213036/http://www.macgasm.net/2011/02/24/apple-charge-facetime/|url-status=live}}</ref> The US$0.99 beta is no longer available for download from Apple.<ref name="softpedia FT beta">{{cite web|url=http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Internet-Utilities/FaceTime.shtml|title=Mac|date=April 23, 2014|publisher=Softpedia|at=link within last sentence "The page provides access to FaceTime 0.9 Build 92 version"|access-date=April 29, 2011|archive-date=December 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223224422/http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Internet-Utilities/FaceTime.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> FaceTime is included for free in macOS from {{nowrap|[[Mac OS X Lion]]}} (10.7) onwards and iOS.<ref name=":0" />
[[AT&T]] allowed customers to use FaceTime as long as they were [[tiered internet|tiered]] but blocked the application from working for customers with unlimited data plans. They were brought before the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) for [[net neutrality]] violations.<ref name="AT&T v. FaceTime">{{cite web|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/oiac/Mobile-Broadband-FaceTime.pdf|title=AT&T/FaceTime Case Study|last=AT&T v. FaceTime|access-date=February 9, 2015|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120003222/https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/oiac/Mobile-Broadband-FaceTime.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2011, it was found that FaceTime would work seamlessly over [[3G]] on all iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch models that supported it. Even though FaceTime worked only over 3G at that time, it now supports [[4G]] [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] calls on networks all over the world, and availability is limited to operators' GSM plans.<ref name=":1">zaone [https://www.idevice.ro/2012/05/18/ios-5-1-1-ne-demonstreaza-ca-apple-va-permite-efectuarea-de-apeluri-facetime-prin-3g/ "iOS 5.1.1 ne demonstreaza ca Apple va permite efectuarea de apeluri FaceTime prin 3G"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221185819/https://www.idevice.ro/2012/05/18/ios-5-1-1-ne-demonstreaza-ca-apple-va-permite-efectuarea-de-apeluri-facetime-prin-3g/ |date=February 21, 2022 }}, "iDevice.ro", May 2011</ref>
In 2018, Apple added group video and audio support to FaceTime which can support up to 32 people in [[iOS 12]] and [[macOS Mojave]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/04/apple-facetime-group-chat-ios-12/|title=Apple's FaceTime offers group chats for up to 32 people|work=Engadget|access-date=2018-06-05|language=en-US|archive-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307233547/https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/04/apple-facetime-group-chat-ios-12/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[IPad Pro (5th generation)|5th generation iPad Pro]], which was introduced in May 2021, features '''{{vanchor|Center Stage}}''', which allows the camera to follow a user when they are on a FaceTime call, and was also expanded to other third party video conferencing applications. Center Stage is a feature of all iPads released since 2021, and is also available on Macs using the [[Apple Studio Display]] or a paired iPhone with an [[Apple A13]] chip or newer using Continuity Camera, a feature that allows Macs to use iPhones as a camera that was introduced in [[iOS 16]] and [[macOS Ventura]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-15 |title=How to Enable Center Stage on Your iPad |url=https://lifehacker.com/how-to-enable-center-state-on-your-ipad-1847678533 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Lifehacker |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Use Center Stage on your iPad or Studio Display |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212315 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Apple Support |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704182153/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212315 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213244 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Apple Support |language=en |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704182154/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213244 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On June 7, 2021, during Apple's WWDC Keynote, it was announced that FaceTime would be made available for Android and Windows users via the web.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Summerbell|first=D.|title=FaceTime can now be used on Android and Windows from a browser|url=https://www.wavband.com/facetime-can-now-be-used-on-android-and-windows-from-a-browser/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=WavBand Tech|language=en-US|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608091609/https://www.wavband.com/facetime-can-now-be-used-on-android-and-windows-from-a-browser/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A new feature called SharePlay was announced for FaceTime on [[iOS 15]], [[iPadOS 15]], and [[macOS Monterey]] at the same event. It would let users on iPhone, iPad, and Mac share music, video, or their screen with people on the call. Apple stated that the feature uses an [[API]] that can be enabled on any media service and SharePlay was slated to support [[Apple Music]], the [[Apple TV app]] (including [[Apple TV+]]), [[Disney+]], [[Hulu]], [[HBO Max]], [[Paramount+]], [[TikTok]], [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], and several other media sources at launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Mitchell |title=Apple is building video and music sharing into FaceTime |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/7/22522904/apple-shareplay-facetime-music-hulu-videos-tiktok-wwdc |access-date=2021-06-08 |website=The Verge |date=June 7, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615115012/https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/7/22522904/apple-shareplay-facetime-music-hulu-videos-tiktok-wwdc |url-status=live }}</ref>
FaceTime was added to [[Apple TV|Apple TV 4K]] (2nd generation and newer models) with the release of [[tvOS]] 17 in 2023. FaceTime requires a paired iPhone or iPad with [[iOS 17]]/[[iPadOS 17]] and supports Center Stage and Split View with an A13 device or newer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FaceTime is coming to Apple TV |url=https://www.engadget.com/facetime-is-coming-to-apple-tv-182616297.html |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Engadget |date=June 5, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621232203/https://www.engadget.com/facetime-is-coming-to-apple-tv-182616297.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Implementation==
{{Update|part= FaceTime group calling|date=October 2019}}
[[File:IPhone calling screen.png|thumb|left|150px|The [[iPhone]]'s screen when a call is in progress, showing the FaceTime button (grayed out, middle of bottom row)]]
FaceTime works by establishing a connection between two supported devices. Most Apple devices (such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs) introduced after 2011 support FaceTime. FaceTime is currently incompatible with non-Apple devices or any other video calling services. Mac models introduced in 2011 have high-definition video FaceTime, which devices use automatically when both ends have a FaceTime HD camera.
At launch, unlike Mac OS X's [[iChat]], FaceTime did not support group conferencing. The application allowed a one-on-one video chat—only two people could talk at once. If a second user called and the user answered, the video chat with the previous user would end and a new video session began with the second caller. In iPhone, if a phone call was pending and the user attempts to answer, the video call ends and the phone call began with the next user. Support for group video conferencing was added with the release of iOS 12, allowing up to 32 people to participate in a video call simultaneously.
Incoming notifications on iOS devices are shown during a FaceTime call, but if they are opened, the video will be temporarily paused until the user is back in the FaceTime app.
On the iPhone, a user can activate FaceTime during a phone call by pressing the FaceTime button or initiating FaceTime from their call history or the Contacts application. iOS 7 and newer also provide a separate FaceTime app, as there always has been on Apple's non-telephony devices: iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac.
Until the release of iOS 6, FaceTime required a [[Wi-Fi]] connection to work. From iOS 6 onwards, FaceTime for the iPhone and iPad has supported FaceTime calls over cellular networks (3G, LTE, or [[5G]]) provided the carrier enabled it, which by mid-2013 virtually all carriers worldwide have allowed. FaceTime Audio uses about three [[megabyte]]s of data for every five minutes of conversation, with FaceTime Video uses significantly more.<ref name="IW data usage 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/974213|title=How much data does FaceTime audio calling use?|date=February 7, 2015|publisher=iPhoneFAQ|access-date=July 7, 2016|archive-date=July 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711051509/http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/974213|url-status=live}}</ref> Cellular talk time/minutes are not used after switching from a voice call to a FaceTime call.
FaceTime calls can be placed from supported devices to any phone number or email address that is registered to the FaceTime service. A single email address can be registered to multiple devices and a call placed to that address rings all devices simultaneously.
==Standards==
The FaceTime protocol is based on numerous open industry standards<ref name="AppleInsider standards 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/08/inside_iphone_4_facetime_video_calling.html|date=June 8, 2010|access-date=June 9, 2010|title=Inside iPhone 4: FaceTime video calling|publisher=[[Apple community#AppleInsider|AppleInsider]]|author=Daniel Eran Dilger|archive-date=June 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611022843/http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/08/inside_iphone_4_facetime_video_calling.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but is not interoperable with non-Apple products.<ref name=HonorSteve>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/steve-jobs-promised-to-make-facetime-open-source-its-time/ | title=Apple: Honor Steve Jobs and make FaceTime open source | author=Sean Hollister | date=June 6, 2018 | accessdate=2021-06-27 | archive-date=June 27, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627183940/https://www.cnet.com/news/steve-jobs-promised-to-make-facetime-open-source-its-time/ | url-status=live }}</ref> FaceTime's lack of interoperability makes customers [[Vendor lock-in|dependent on Apple]] and unable to switch away from Apple products.<ref name=HonorSteve />
Upon the launch of the iPhone 4, Jobs stated that Apple would immediately start working with standards bodies to make the FaceTime protocol an "open industry standard". While the protocols are open standards, Apple's FaceTime service requires a client-side certificate.<ref name="Packetstan FT open standard 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.packetstan.com/2010/07/special-look-face-time-part-3-call.html|title=Special Look: Face Time (part 3: Call Connection Initialization)|publisher=Packetstan|first=Josh|last=Wright|date=July 9, 2010|access-date=March 6, 2011|archive-date=January 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128160827/http://www.packetstan.com/2010/07/special-look-face-time-part-3-call.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
FaceTime calls are protected by [[end-to-end encryption]] so that only the sender and receiver can access them. Apple cannot decrypt this data.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://images.apple.com/ipad/business/docs/iOS_Security_Feb14.pdf|title=iOS Security - iOS10 - March 2017|date=March 2017|publisher=Apple|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319200708/https://images.apple.com/ipad/business/docs/iOS_Security_Feb14.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2014|access-date=2017-09-02}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2020}}
Standards used include:
* [[H.264]] and [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]]-ELD – video and audio [[codec]]s respectively.
* [[Session Initiation Protocol|SIP]] – [[IETF]] signaling protocol for [[VoIP]].
* [[Session Traversal Utilities for NAT|STUN]], [[Traversal Using Relay NAT|TURN]], and [[Interactive Connectivity Establishment|ICE]] – IETF technologies for traversing [[Firewall (computing)|firewalls]] and [[Network address translation|NAT]].
* [[Real-time Transport Protocol|RTP]] and [[Secure Real-time Transport Protocol|SRTP]] – IETF standards for delivering real-time and encrypted media streams for VoIP.
Compared to most [[Session Initiation Protocol|SIP]] implementations, Facetime adds techniques that enhance performance at the cost of breaking interoperability: port multiplexing, [[Session description protocol|SDP]] minimization, and SDP compression.<ref name="Apple's new Facetime - a SIP Perspective">{{cite web|url=http://blog.krisk.org/2013/09/apples-new-facetime-sip-perspective.html|title=Apple's new Facetime - a SIP Perspective|publisher=Not Just AstLinux Stuff|first=Kristian|last=Kielhofner|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911160025/http://blog.krisk.org/2013/09/apples-new-facetime-sip-perspective.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==FaceTime Audio==
A new audio-only version of FaceTime, named FaceTime Audio, was announced during the annual [[Apple Worldwide Developers Conference]] (WWDC) keynote speech on June 10, 2013, and released with [[iOS 7]] on September 18, 2013. As an audio-only version of FaceTime, it effectively makes the protocol into a [[voice over IP|voice-over-Internet Protocol]] (VoIP), that competes with other mainstream providers in the field, including [[Skype]] ([[Microsoft]]).
Based on the same [[AAC-LD]] audio protocol, the service provides high-quality audio. The iOS 7 betas limited FaceTime Audio to calls placed on a Wi-Fi network (the same original limitation of the video version of FaceTime), but the final release has removed that restriction to allow it to work over 3G and LTE data connections, as is the case with most carriers and plans about FaceTime with video. Like the video version, FaceTime Audio is currently only available between Apple devices on iOS 7 and later. FaceTime streaming over cellular data is unavailable for the [[iPhone 4]] and the [[iPad 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4319|title=Use FaceTime with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch|access-date=February 9, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725145659/http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4319|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Walkie-Talkie ===
Walkie-Talkie is a limited FaceTime Audio-based communication feature made available on September 17, 2018, for [[Apple Watch]] devices running [[watchOS]] 5.0 or later. The application allows users to have two-person calls similar to using a real [[walkie-talkie]], as conversations are [[push-to-talk]] and only one end of the conversation can speak at a time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use the Apple Watch's Walkie-Talkie function |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/08/16/how-to-use-the-apple-watchs-walkie-talkie-function |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=AppleInsider |date=October 20, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222082245/https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/08/16/how-to-use-the-apple-watchs-walkie-talkie-function |url-status=live }}</ref> Walkie-Talkie is intended for short and quick messages between two people rather than long conversations which are better suited for traditional phone or video calls. Users can set their availability for walkie-talkie through the control panel or in the app itself, which allows friends to start a call at any time.
In July 2019, Apple temporarily disabled the Walkie-Talkie feature from all Apple Watches after a vulnerability was discovered that allowed a user to listen to another person's iPhone without consent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple disables Walkie Talkie app due to vulnerability that could allow iPhone eavesdropping |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/10/apple-disables-walkie-talkie-app-due-to-vulnerability-that-could-allow-iphone-eavesdropping/ |access-date=2020-12-30 |website=TechCrunch |date=July 11, 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315213740/https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GettyImages-159184348.jpg?w=600&h=347&crop=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Limited availability==
===By country===
{{As of|2010|June|df=}}, FaceTime was not enabled on devices bought in the [[United Arab Emirates]] possibly due to regulations in this country that restrict IP-based communications. FaceTime is made available for iPhones in the [[United Arab Emirates]] upon updating iOS 13.6. In addition, iPhone and iPad (Cellular models) devices bought in [[mainland China]] have FaceTime Audio, Group FaceTime, and the ability to create and join FaceTime links via the FaceTime app disabled, while FaceTime Video is available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380|title=Use FaceTime with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725145659/http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4319|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/facetime-audio-disabled-in-china/|title=FaceTime audio disabled in China|website=[[ZDNet]]|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221185821/https://www.zdnet.com/article/facetime-audio-disabled-in-china/|url-status=live}}</ref> Devices bought outside these countries support both video and audio versions of FaceTime.<ref name="Register FT UAE SA limitations 1">{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/19/facetime |title=Apple wipes smile off FaceTime in the Middle East |newspaper=[[The Register]] |last=Ray |first=Bill |date=October 19, 2010 |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-date=October 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021102214/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/19/facetime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although [[Egypt]], [[Jordan]], [[Qatar]], and [[Kuwait]] originally disabled FaceTime on the iPhone 4, they later re-enabled the feature through a carrier update for existing phone owners and made it pre-enabled on any newly purchased iPhone. In March 2018, FaceTime was made available for iPhones in [[Saudi Arabia]] upon updating to iOS 11.3, and in August 2019, FaceTime was made available for iPhones in [[Pakistan]] upon updating to iOS 12.4.
===By iOS version===
As of April 16, 2014, FaceTime ceased working on earlier versions of iOS that had previously supported it (iOS 4 and later), due to the client-side certificate used to authenticate a genuine Apple device with FaceTime servers (amongst other uses<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chasechristian.com/blog/2014/04/ios-client-certificate-expiration-april-16-2014/|publisher=Chase Christian Blog|date=April 21, 2014|access-date=February 24, 2016|title=iOS Client Certificate Expiration - April 16, 2014|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302090741/http://www.chasechristian.com/blog/2014/04/ios-client-certificate-expiration-april-16-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref>) expiring on that date. Apple chose not to release an update to this certificate for all devices for which a newer major iOS version (with a new, valid certificate) was available. Apple did release a minor update, to the certificate only, for all [[OS X]] versions which could run FaceTime, and also for the 4th generation iPod Touch, the only iOS device which could run FaceTime but could not run the then-latest iOS 7. The result of this policy was that almost all iOS users had to update the iOS version on their devices if they wished to continue using FaceTime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ios-6-users-no-longer-able-to-use-facetime-ios-7-upgrade-required/|publisher=[[TechRepublic]]|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=February 24, 2016|title=iOS 6 users no longer able to use FaceTime, iOS 7 upgrade required|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302223703/http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ios-6-users-no-longer-able-to-use-facetime-ios-7-upgrade-required/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Controversy ==
=== Group FaceTime bug ===
On January 28, 2019, a bug was discovered in the FaceTime app that allowed users to [[eavesdrop]] on other users without their knowledge through an exploit.<ref name="SMHBug">{{cite news |last1=Biggs |first1=Tim |title=FaceTime bug lets you eavesdrop on your iPhone contacts |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/facetime-bug-lets-you-eavesdrop-on-your-iphone-contacts-20190129-p50uam.html |access-date=January 29, 2019 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129092351/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/facetime-bug-lets-you-eavesdrop-on-your-iphone-contacts-20190129-p50uam.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later discovered the video feed could be enabled without the other users' acceptance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/28/facetime-bug-hear-audio/|title=Major iPhone FaceTime bug lets you hear the audio of the person you are calling… before they pick up|last=Mayo|first=Benjamin|date=2019-01-28|website=9to5Mac|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221185818/https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/28/facetime-bug-hear-audio/|url-status=live}}</ref> Apple said in a statement that it would release a fix for the exploit shortly, disabling Group FaceTime for the time being.<ref name="CNNBug">{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Heather |title=iPhone FaceTime bug lets you eavesdrop on other people |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/28/tech/apple-face-time-bug/index.html |access-date=January 29, 2019 |work=CNN |date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129071443/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/28/tech/apple-face-time-bug/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The bug was named "FacePalm" by security researchers,<ref>{{cite news |last=Perlroth |first=Nicole |title=Apple Was Slow to Act on FaceTime Bug That Allows Spying on iPhones |date=January 29, 2019 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/technology/facetime-glitch-apple.html |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130030104/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/technology/facetime-glitch-apple.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and affects iOS devices running FaceTime on iOS 12.1 or Mac computers running macOS Mojave 10.14.1. On February 7, Apple fixed the FaceTime vulnerabilities in iOS 12.1.4 and a Supplemental Update for macOS Mojave 10.14.3.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Joshua |title=Everything You Need To Know About the FaceTime Spying Bug |url=https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/facetime-spying-bug-discovered-temporarily-worked-around/ |website=The Mac Security Blog |date=January 29, 2019 |publisher=Intego Security |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042724/https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/facetime-spying-bug-discovered-temporarily-worked-around/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Although the bug gained international attention on January 28, 2019, the bug was found much earlier by Arizona high school student Grant Thompson. He and his mother tried for more than a week to warn Apple about the problem through Facebook and Twitter after discovering the bug on January 20, without receiving answers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/teenager-and-his-mom-tried-to-warn-apple-of-facetime-bug-11548783393 |title=Teenager and His Mom Tried to Warn Apple of FaceTime Bug |last=McMillan |first=Robert |date=2019-01-29 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=2019-01-31 |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221185817/https://www.wsj.com/articles/teenager-and-his-mom-tried-to-warn-apple-of-facetime-bug-11548783393 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021003128/https://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/|title=Official website|date=mdy}}
{{Apple}}
{{iOS}}
{{macOS}}
{{Instant messaging}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Facetime}}
[[Category:Videotelephony]]
[[Category:Assistive technology]]
[[Category:IOS]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:2010 software]]
[[Category:IOS-based software made by Apple Inc.]]
[[Category:TvOS software]]