iPhone video call icon opens Telegram, not FaceTime

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone video call icon opens Telegram, not FaceTime

iPhone FaceTime option redirecting to Telegram app: whenever I select a contact in my iPhone contacts and then select the video call icon/button to FaceTime them, instead my iPhone redirects straight to the Telegram app. It does not even present an option for me to select FaceTime or Telegram. I am not trying to video call via Telegram (only use this for some messages) – I would like that video call icon/button to automatically default to FaceTime and to never consider Telegram for a video call.

I've tried the following steps via Telegram and none of them work:

Don't Allow Access to Contacts
Settings > Privacy > Calls = Who Can Call Me - 'Nobody', Peer-to-Peer - 'Never', iOS Call Integration - Turned Off
Settings: Sync Contacts - Turned Off

I've also tried the following steps via Apple setting and none of them work:

Settings > Apps > FaceTime > Default Calling App - Cellular (there is no Default App option for FaceTime)
Resetting Network Settings

Could you please advise on this fix? How to ensure when I press the video icon on an iPhone contact, that it opts for a FaceTime and does not redirect to Telegram?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on May 10, 2026 6:59 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

328,338 points

Sep 16, 2026 3:23 AM in response to phu878

phu878 wrote:

No, it has NOT been fixed. I am on iOS 26.7 and the problem persists. After upgrading, I thought it was fixed, and FT worked normally once, and then it opened Telegram again, even when I close Telegram completely, and after changing Telegram settings > Privacy > Calls > iOS call integration OFF. Actually, it is not consistent. The workaround through iMessage > FT sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't.

Have you updated to the current version of iOS/iPadOS? At the time of writing iOS/iPadOS 26.7 is current - or for devices that support it, you can optionally upgrade to iOS/iPadOS 27.

If you have a consistent and repeatable issue, you might consider submitting a Bug Report to Apple its Product Feedback portal:

Feedback - Apple

When submitting your Bug Report, please ensure that you include details of your device model and installed version of iOS/iPadOS within the body-text of your report along with full details of the problem. Do not rely upon the pick-list alone - as this may not include the current version.

Every Bug Report counts. Unless reports are submitted (with adequate detail), Apple may not assign resources to investigate and correct the issue.

In addition [i.e., not as a substitute] to submitting a Bug Report, you might also consider seeking assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page; you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

Reply

Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

43,393 points

May 11, 2026 4:56 PM in response to c0523

Re: iPhone video call icon opens Telegram, not FaceTime

Wondering whether updating your iPhone to the latest iOS 26 version may help: ie: Updates often include bog-fixes and security updates.

(Reminder : Is always wize to back-up iPhone before installing iOS updates)

_______________________

Else if no updates are available in Settings > General > Software Updates:

You might want to try restarting your iPhone and the Telegram settings etc., may come into effect . (Restarting also deletes temporary files, re-establishes connections and much more. ie: Can often restore order if something is not working as expected..)

____________________________________

If updating iOS or restarting iPhone hasn't helped:

You may want to send feedback, or a feature request to Apple: Feedback - FaceTime - Apple

Reply

Answer 3

LotusPilot

Level 10

328,338 points

May 12, 2026 11:03 AM in response to c0523

There is known issue, affecting FaceTime calling from the Contacts App, introduced with iPadOS 26.4.x. For those impacted by this known bug, the FaceTime button may be ghosted when viewing a Contact Card - and, if the Telegram App is installed, may be inexplicably directed to it.

This issue has been fixed in iPadOS 26.5. Please update your iPad to this (the most recent) version of iPadOS, released yesterday.

Reply

Answer 4

phu878

Level 1

15 points

Sep 15, 2026 5:22 PM in response to LotusPilot

No, it has NOT been fixed. I am on iOS 26.7 and the problem persists. After upgrading, I thought it was fixed, and FT worked normally once, and then it opened Telegram again, even when I close Telegram completely, and after changing Telegram settings > Privacy > Calls > iOS call integration OFF. Actually, it is not consistent. The workaround through iMessage > FT sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't.

Reply