FaceTime icon disappears from settings with some sim cards although the phone is factory unlocked

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FaceTime icon disappears from settings with some sim cards although the phone is factory unlocked

I have iPhone 4s factory unlocked.

I bought it from Egypt, when I put Vodafone sim card, FaceTime works normally.

Currently I am in Indonesia. When I put any Indonesian sim card, FaceTime disappears from settings, restrictions, and everywhere.

When I put my Vodafone sim card just to test, FaceTime appear again.

Mobile phones providers and authorized apple dealers were not able to figure out the cause of this problem.

I hope anyone can help.

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1

Posted on May 10, 2012 8:22 AM

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Answer 1

May 10, 2012 9:21 AM in response to Egymecheng

What is the model of your iPhone?

SETTINGS - GENERAL - ABOUT - MODEL

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Answer 2

Egymecheng Author

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May 10, 2012 1:15 PM in response to impious-rocker

MD235AE

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Answer 3

May 10, 2012 1:17 PM in response to Egymecheng

Some countries have banned the use of Facetime. Indonesia may be one of them.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

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May 10, 2012 1:27 PM in response to Egymecheng

That phone originated in Saudi Arabia. FaceTime should not be present on the phone at all.

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Answer 5

Egymecheng Author

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May 10, 2012 1:31 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

In fact, Indonesia is not one of those countries, FaceTime works here properly.

When I put my sim card in any other iPhone 4 or 4s FaceTime works normally on that phone.

When I put any sim card -knowingly it works fine- in my phone, FaceTime still doesn't work.

I have tried many other mobile networks and same problem is exist.

The only time FaceTime works on my phone is when I put a vodaphone sim card from another country and that was the 1st sim card I inserted when I bought the phone.

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Answer 6

Egymecheng Author

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May 10, 2012 1:34 PM in response to KiltedTim

@kiltedtim, but FaceTime is there when I put a Vodafone sim card (roaming) in indonesia

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Answer 7

KiltedTim

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May 10, 2012 1:39 PM in response to Egymecheng

Phones sold in KSA, UAE, and Qatar have had FaceTime permanently removed at the insistence of their governments.

If your phone originated there, it should not be present at all. You stated you bought it in Egypt and put a Vodafone SIM in the phone. Did you buy the phone from Vodafone in Egypt, or from somewhere else.

If you bought it from Vodafone, then it should be present and work.

If that is the case: Are you shutting the phone off before you put in a different SIM? If not, do so.

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Answer 8

wegras

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May 10, 2012 2:07 PM in response to KiltedTim

Apple appears not to have an iPhone presence or approved Carriers in Egypt

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Answer 9

KiltedTim

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May 10, 2012 2:10 PM in response to wegras

Actually, they do.

Check the list: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1937

(Hint: Egypt is in Africa, not the Middle East.)

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Answer 10

May 10, 2012 2:11 PM in response to KiltedTim

I guess no one learns geography anymore 😟

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Answer 11

wegras

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May 10, 2012 2:54 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Oops afraid I can't use that excuse ...................

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Answer 12

Egymecheng Author

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May 10, 2012 5:59 PM in response to KiltedTim

if this is the case, I shouldnt have facetime icon at all in settings but as I insert my vodafone sim card, facetime appears and works normally.

although my vodafone sim card (roaming) connects to the same same sim card carrier I have.

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Answer 13

KiltedTim

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May 10, 2012 6:21 PM in response to Egymecheng

Are you turning off the phone before you insert the new SIM or not? FaceTime must be activated for the number on the SIM you're inserting. Though it's possible to swap them without powering down, it's not really a good habit to get into. That could be behind your problem assuming the phone is from a country where it is not banned.

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