FaceTime shows random, old pictures when initiating a call

My boyfriend and I have both recently experienced this problem several times - when one of us is calling the other via FaceTime, an old picture freezes on our screen, while the person receiving the call only sees a black screen. It's kind of creepy, because it brought up photos of both of us at work, where I have used FaceTime a few times but he never has. We're just wondering how/why this is happening, and if there is a fix. It's not terribly inconvenient, but it's definitely unsettling, where is seems that even if we haven't taken a picture or used FaceTime, the camera is keeping images. If anyone else is experiencing this, we'd love feedback. Thanks!

iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Mar 22, 2011 8:04 PM

52 replies

larsbln

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2011 2:54 AM in response to kar0786

I recently called applecare regarding the same issue I encounted on my iPhone 4 iOS 4.3 3 weeks ago. Most of the pictures show me, or the ceiling of my office.
It helps if my gf calls me.

Joez248

Level 1

4 points

Apr 14, 2011 1:27 PM in response to kar0786

The senior adviser i mentioned called me today letting me know the update should be released today? Hopefully i see it today when i plug my iPhone into itunes.

Joez248

Level 1

4 points

Apr 14, 2011 1:31 PM in response to kar0786

4.3.2 is officially released. I'm going to update and see what happens from there.

nasetron

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2011 7:25 AM in response to Joez248

From the 4.3.2 release notes ( http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1358):

"Fixes an issue that occasionally caused blank or frozen video during a FaceTime call"

This is a pretty oblique way of saying "Our phone has been taking pictures of you without your knowledge or consent, then accidentally displaying them. We think it's fixed now." Still, I wonder what they've fixed: taking pictures, or displaying pictures?

hammid

Level 1

20 points

Apr 15, 2011 8:16 PM in response to kar0786

I have/had the same issue. I just updated to 4.3.2 and will make my next FaceTime call on Monday.

I seriously doubt this is/was some sinister plot by Apple to obtain photos without a users knowledge. It was probably some buffer issue associated with the camera hardware and FaceTime just displayed whatever it was "given" when it activated the camera. Conspiracy theories aside, I just found the situation to be annoying. I was always forced to stop all my background programs and reboot my iPhone. Not a very good situation when you only have a 10 minute window to place a FaceTime call and 2 are spent waiting for your iPhone to sort itself out.

Ollie123

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2011 11:40 PM in response to kar0786

Does anyone who is having this problem not have Shazam? Any version of it.

cme2se

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2012 2:05 PM in response to punkwig

So, again I ask, how do you change the pic that FaceTime posted. I did not pick this picture to be posted. I would try to pick something a little better and current.

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FaceTime shows random, old pictures when initiating a call