Facetime connectivity issue when using only wi-fi

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Level 1

6 points

Facetime connectivity issue when using only wi-fi

I'm trying to start a facetime call with another person and having all sorts of issues.

my iPhone is wi-fi only, with airplane mode turned on. I'm doing this because I'm out of the country and don't want to use cellular out of the US. My understanding is that as long as I have Wi-fi, I should be able to use facetime, but every call I make fails.

I also tried having someone facetime me from the US and they're not able to complete the connection either. These failers happened between 2 iphones, both on wi-fi.

Any idea what's going on? I have been able to make facetime calls in the US but this is the first time I've tried in Brazil.

iPhone 4, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 11:52 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 22, 2012 12:01 PM in response to BrianMBM

If you are using FaceTime without a cell network connection, you have to use email addresses only. There's no way to initiate or receive a call using an cell phone number with a WiFI connection only.

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Answer 2

BrianMBM Author

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6 points

Apr 22, 2012 12:20 PM in response to modular747

I am using email addresses. Doesn't work. Is there some kind of international limitation on wi-fi usage for FaceTime?

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Answer 3

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 22, 2012 12:36 PM in response to BrianMBM

No international limitation on WiFi FaceTime (all FaceTime ends up over WiFi even when initiated as a call), except China and several middle eastern countries.

Are you initiating the calls using Contacts or the Phone app?

Message was edited by: modular747

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Answer 4

BrianMBM Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:21 PM in response to modular747

I'm using the contacts app to start Facetime calls. As far as I can tell, there isn't a Facetime dedicated app anymore on the iPhone. As I understand it, facetime was integrated into Contacts.

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Answer 5

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:26 PM in response to BrianMBM

There has NEVER been a FaceTime app/icon on any iPhone model. It's integrated in the Phone and Contacts apps. The separate FT app is present only on iPads and iPods.

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Answer 6

Apr 22, 2012 2:29 PM in response to BrianMBM

Airplane mode kills all network connections.

You need a connection to use face time.

Turn off your cellular data and data roaming and leave on wi fi on. It will not work with airplane mode on.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1355

It says you should be able to reconnect but I still think it has something to do with that.

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Answer 7

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:31 PM in response to michalo13

Cellular data isn't needed for FaceTime calls to email addresses - as evidenced by FaceTime connectivity with WiFi only iPads, iPods and Macs.

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Answer 8

Apr 22, 2012 2:29 PM in response to michalo13

You can enable airplane mode then turn WiFi back on, which, as I read it, is what the OP did.

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Answer 9

Apr 22, 2012 2:31 PM in response to modular747

does it work when you connect to safari? Try loading a Https website from safari and see if it loads. what kind of network is this?

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Answer 10

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Apr 22, 2012 2:32 PM in response to michalo13

All Safari sites load when WiFi is enabled in Airplane mode.

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Answer 11

BrianMBM Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 22, 2012 7:11 PM in response to modular747

To clarify- I'm on an iPhone with airplane mode ON, and Wi-fi ON. I'm doing this because I'm in Brazil and don't want to use any local cellular network. With Wi-fi ON, I'm able to use the internet and everything functions just fine, except Facetime.

In responce to modular747, You asked if I was using contacts or the iPhone app- which iPhone app are you referring to? I don't recall a dedicated Facetime app for the iPhone...

I'm still thinking that by having airplane mode turned on, and only using Wi-fi somehow that is inhibiting Facetime usage.

As a work around until I figure out how to get this working, I'm using Skype. That's working fine on Wi-fi only on the iPhone.

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Answer 12

mmy11

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2012 2:10 PM in response to BrianMBM

Perhaps you've already tried this, or you've already figured it out...I'm currently in Italy and have been having the same issues with FaceTime (airplane mode ON; Wi-Fi ON). However, when I did the following, I was successfully able to FaceTime:

Settings > FaceTime > Caller ID > choose your email address instead of your phone number. That's it!

Now your phone should be set up like an iPad or iPod, which don't have phone numbers and connect with FaceTime only through email addresses.

You should be able to FaceTime anyone, anywhere! Good luck.

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Answer 13

BrianMBM Author

Level 1

6 points

May 7, 2012 2:19 PM in response to mmy11

Thanks for the note- I was only in Brazil for a few days and used Skype because I couldn't get FaceTime to work. Of course as soon as I got back in the US and on Wi-fi, it was working fine.

Next time I'm out of the country I'll try that. Makes sense, but I was trying to make Facetime calls TOO someone else, and that didn't work either. I understand that they couldn't find me because my cell roaming was turned off (and airplane mode was on). I'll just have to do some more experimenting with it next time I'm away.

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