iPhone 4 facetime not working

I don't think that andrew was implying that this was tied to iCloud. What he was talking about was restoring using a backup. Whether it is from iCloud or iTunes, as you have already discovered, once the backup is applied, the problem resumes. The only way around this is to start fresh - not from a backup. Something in the backup is carrying the problem along with it.

Have you tried turning off Game Center?

Cheers,

GB

GB,

Your attention to this thread is commendable. 😍

Thanks for summarizing the solution. I only wish I could mark it so!

The only thing that I would have to add, is that Message threads were not restored from iCloud. They will only exist on previously connected computers and devices.

Ferd II

Hi Ferd,

Thanks for posting back with your experience! Good to have every little bit of info we can on the "solution" and any and all "side effects"....

I used to live over on your side of the US! Native Southern Californian with a 5-year stint in Spokane before moving to this side of the continent! Whidbey Island was one of our most wonderful little trips while we were there. We still have a table we bought from an antiques dealer on the island over 25 years ago!

Again, thanks for the post and the compliment! 😍

Cheers,

GB

I am having this issue. And I could say it has nothing to do with the update. I was still running on 6.1 and it's not the carrier . Because I'm with Fido.

There's got to be some other pull down into our iphone 4's that caused this.

I am not about to do a reset, because I would lose my game data.

Waiting for Apple to figure out what's going on.

Same problem, facetime not working on iphone 4. I have tried it on multiple phones now and all are facing the issue of 'Connection Lost' . Its been happening since 1 week now.

There seems definitely something wrong with Apple's Facetime server, no way so many people face the same problem at the same time.

Is there any solution to this ??? Apple Support ??

It's marvellous that everyone's replies now come to my mailbox.

I have decided not to do anything that might mess up what I have on my iPhone. I have sent a message to Apple describing the problem - if anyone hasn't done that please do it. I don't suppose for a minute they they read this thread.

Like MelodicSoul I'm hoping Apple soon send us a 'fix'.

Konichiwa,

I also have the exact same problem starting at the same time here in Japan. I also have to say that I did change anything recently on my iphone or itunes etc. that could have caused the problem. I suspect that there is something wrong with Apple's server or something. Anyway I will write directly to Apple as this should be their problem not ours.

Just chatted with Apple support. Few things first -

1. They don't read these forums , so no points expecting them to provide solutions here

2. Online support patiently helps, yet provides only basic troubleshooting.

3. The current issue is not a 'know issue' yet , implying they are not aware of Facetime Server outage. Failed to understand this is a global issue even after mentioning that people from US, Japan, Singapore, India, etc have posted the issue here

Anyways , basic troubleshooting if anyone wants to try

1. Signout from facetime ( by clicking on Apple ID line in the setting page of facetime)

2. Turn off imessage in Messages Settings

3. Sigout from itunes and appstore

4. Restart ( normal on off is ok)

5. Turn on Facetime and imessage in that order

6. Try Facetime

Mine didnt work even after the above steps, so now have been adviced to contact phone support at

They wil create a ticket and look thoroughly into the issue. Unfortuantely I am not sure what would be the waiting time when i try calling them during working hours.....

thats it for now...if anyone of you finds any solution ealier, please do post here...

[P.S. - Surprisingly Apple does not seem to be aware of the severity and global impact of this issue. ]

thanks

Hi puneet,

The collaborative solution is posted on page 9 of this thread....

Cheers,

GB

I dont' suspect it's a Facetime service outage.

I suspect it's something that got injected onto a specific set of iphone 4 users who share some commonality (I know not all iphone 4 users are experiencing this), because I can ipad facetime fine to the same person.

Who moderates the forums, if apple doesn't read them?

Resetting iphone 4 data is a solution, but not an acceptable one. Just a less desirable temporary solution.

I hope they come out with a patch, or if they can fix it on their end that would be better.

An announcement or acknowledgement from apple would even be better still.

Thanks Gail , I just looked at your detailed post about the workaround . People like you and reyrey (who actually did multiple tests) make the community valuable . Thanks !

However , this is a painful workaround . I don't think I will do a factory reset and setup the phone again . Couldn't get to Apple phone support today, will try it again later . A patch/update from Apple would be ideal.

Btw, I am using in Singapore on Singtel as carrier .

So Japan , India , US, Singapore , UK .....different carriers .....same problem

Clearly there is more to it than meets the eye.

Apple needs to at least open its eyes to this issue .

I've had this problem off and on, for a couple of months. Had a successful F Time this morning, and three hours later tried the same person. I am in California, they are in Eastern Europe - no luck. I am not willing to do a restore, and lose some very precious data that does not get saved, somehow, especially as others have said it doesn't work

I am on with AT&T now, but I don't think it's their issue, and if all Apple is going to do, is say Restore, then it's a no go. I'm off to read p 9 and hope there is some help there

it is an important call I need to get through

there is no way they cannot have this as a KNOWN situation!

ok, read everything

I don't have games, and no face time so, shouldn't be associated to games

first time I lost it, I wasn't using iCloud, so not sure that's it

on AT&T but as said, other carrier phones are having the problem, so not carrier related

I'm petrified to do a Restore. I have precious voice mail messages from six months ago that I do not want to lose

any help will be greatly appreciated. Had a great connection three hours ago, and yesterday.....nothing today on Wifi or Cellular Data

no way does Apple not know about the problem. It's world wide for pete's sake

any suggestions so I don't lose photos, texts, iMessages and especially, Voice Mail and I will be grateful Thank you

sorry for another update. As I was on the phone with Apple, she got a message from her "Senior Advisor" that Apple is now aware of the problem and investigating. We shall see We shall see

I'd just like to chime in. I have an iPad 3 and updated the software this morning and have the same Face Time issue. I have restored my iPad back to factory settings and continue to get the "connecting...connection failed" issue. Any other suggestions? I'm currently working with a clean iPad so nothing to lose!