My iPhone 11 disconnects from WiFi while using FaceTime (video)

OK so before I start explaining the fix. Let me first start by saying that I followed all and any solutions that was out on the web in terms of turn off this setting and turn this on and log in/out of this and etc. Nothing worked!!!! So I was able to finally get a really good expert person at Apple with 11+ years experience. This issue is related to anyone that may have done a transfer from iPhone to iPhone. The issue is that when backed up its pulling in corruption and causing the FaceTime to work properly. Good news / bad news is: Good news, there is a fix. The fix is to reset your phone and wipe the phone completely. When you restart the phone install as a new setup and not from a backup. The bad news is that you have to set it up as a new clean install and will need to re-download most of your apps. There are some apps that are standard that will pull just simply from cloud and things like your contact list and etc. I tested FaceTime on new install and it worked without any issues. It sucks because I have a lot backed up and now I had to reinstall a lot of my old apps and settings but it will ensure you have a clean backup moving forward and not a corrupt. Let me know how it goes for those that have had the same issue with FaceTime like I did (where wifi would drop as soon as it connected).

I have just used the chat function in the Apple Support app (on iPhone) to get some advice. They advised I toggle (off and back on again) the ‘Set Automatically’ switch in Settings > General > Date & Time. I have since tested with six FaceTime video calls (incoming and outgoing) and the Wi-Fi has been rock solid! Success!! I hope this fix persists, and works for others too.

I have found another workaround for this issue, at least it worked on my wife’s XR, sorry if it has already been mentioned before.

I know people with this issue have discovered that if you turn off Cellular Data before making/answering a FaceTime video call it won’t disconnect from wi-fi, but if you just to go Settings->Cellular and under Cellular Data turn off FaceTime, this will prevent it from ever using cellular data and will stop the wifi disconnects/auto-switch to cellular data during a video call.

I found this to be easier than turning off/on Cellular Data every time, it works for her because she is mostly using it over wifi anyways. When needed while not on wifi she can just turn it back on Settings.

This is clearly an iOS bug, my iPhone 11 does not have this issue but her XR does, interesting enough it does not occur when she FaceTimes me but it does when she FaceTime others.

Hope this helps.

I did all the toggling of settings but the only thing that finally worked was this solution from DLK0808:

Feb 27, 2020 8:55 AM in response to Chriscampbell98

I had the identic same issue and performed every imaginable fix. The problem is the new iphone software only works on 5Ghz; therefore, the fix is to disable 2.4Ghz on the WiFi router. Very simple to do. (For AT&T customers) Go to http://192.168.1.254/cgi-bin/home.ha and login with your credentials; go to Broadband; then under that go to wifi; you may need your router access code printed on the router; then advanced options; click disable on the 2.4Ghz; scroll to the bottom and click save. That‘s it. 

Hope this helps.

Ok. So what I did to fix it was actually, I checked to find that my Bluetooth was on from the last time I was in my car. When I turned the Bluetooth off, my phone instantly picked up the WiFi signal

Fun fact for all of those who experience this issue: The issue often happens on both sides of the conversation most of the time - even at the same time/moment, while both iPhones are connected to different wireless networks ("AVM Fritzbox" on one side, "Enterprise-grade Wireless" on the other side - both internet connections 20 mbps+)

Here is how you can workaround the issue for now:

• Option A: Have both iPhones in airplane mode, so the iPhone has no option to take its stupid "roam to 3G/4G"-decision
• Option B: If both iPhones have a good 4G connection (and your data plan allows), disable Wi-Fi and run the call through 4G

I can rule out the Wireless APs as I tried many different locations across vendors (Ruckus (Hotel in London, ibis Earls Court), Cisco (Guest Wireless at an Enterprise customer of ours), Aruba/HPE (another customer site), my own AVM Fritzbox, my own Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Stellar Wireless solution).

Look guys I have had this problem for so long, I tried all solutions and remedies and full restore, exchanged my phone at Apple as also Apple recognised the Problem but nothing helped. The only thing which helped 100 % was the to turn off cellular data / mobile data while you are home. Boom Solution try it and u will be amazed.

I had the same problem and after some research it said to tune your Bluetooth off and turn ya cellular data off as well. After you do that, hang up and call back using FaceTime and everything should be working. It’s a haggle to do this for ft but I tried it and it’s working well for me.

Hope this helps my fellow Apple homies

I was having the same problem on my iPhone X, it solved itself after switching off Wifi assist.

Hi! I struggle w WiFi turning off and my phone not wanting to charge while on ft,

All I had to do was turn off my cellular data in settings somehow this solved both of those problems, hope this works for you too!!:)

That’s a shame. It worked on the XR with iOS 13.5.1. She was having this issue every single time she called her mom on her iPad, now with the cellular data switched off for FaceTime it does not happen anymore.

I 've been experiencing the exact same problem and up until today, always thought it was my ISP or WIFI.

When I try FaceTime on my WiFi, it works for about 10-15 min, then the video stops and eventually the call is dropped.

Today, I turned WiFi off, and had a nice long (2.5 hour) FaceTime call using only LTE cellular data.

I'm using an iPhone 7Plus 256GB running the latest at the time I write this 14.3 iOS.

I actually called my ISP to see if they could give me advice, they found this on-going thread in Apple Support.

On-going is NOT good Apple -- this has been a bug now since 2019 -- it's 2021 now!

I've been thinking of going Android for a while -- Siri's intelligence hasn't been updated EVER -- Homekit has the least amount of smart home tech -- iPhone's aren't innovative or exciting anymore -- just more expensive.

My first iPhone was the then top-of-the-line iPhone 4, and it cost a $300 without a monthly plan. Now, you want the latest top-of-the-line iPhone you'll easily spend over $1,200!

I know, Apple is targeting the upper-well-to-do-filthy-stinkin'-rich. They want to be an exclusive, pricy brand.

Fine. Go after those with deep pockets lined with gold.

But be warned Apple, it is one thing to design your products to smell like money. However, all smells blow away in the wind -- especially when that wind is tainted -- cheapened even -- by hardware and/or software bugs that don't get resolved YEARS -- if ever -- and by ever I mean never?

Seriously Apple, I've been a loyal Apple customer for YEARS.

But as I watch Google, Samsung and LG continue to innovate, and more importantly, to introduce products that are more functional, more reliable and cost a LOT less than yours, I'm thinking this is the end of the line for me and Apple.

And I'm not alone. Just look at how many Apple customers have clicked the I have the same problem on this thread. (As I write this it's not in the tens, or hundreds, its in the THOUSANDS.

Sad.

Pathetic.

Hey Google, look out -- here I come.

There's a fix for this by turning off Wi-Fi Assist from Settings/Cellular - scroll all the way to the bottom, then turn off Wi-Fi assist. I tested and FaceTime works as expected!

There is an update available. Made available last week, 13.4.1. Mentions a FaceTime fix. Hopefully this is the fix for this thread.

I found turning of WiFi assist worked for me, I stay connected to WiFi now during FaceTime. My phone is an iPone 7Plus, latest iOS (13.4.1)