Q: Original isight - stop autolaunch of facetime?

Try the following:

 • Quit all apps.

 • Throw away com.apple.FaceTime.plist file from your ~/Library/Preferences folder.

 • Empty the trash.

 • Restart your Mac and test to see if the trouble is resolved.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac Pro Quad Core (Early09) 2.93Ghz OSX 10.9.x  24" LED Cinema Display  External iSights

I've tried what was suggested to no avail. FaceTime still starts automatically when ever I turn on the iSight. I really want this fixed... I don't want to have to buy another web cam to use with Skype etc, but currently FaceTime starting stops me from using the iSight for other applications.

Kujako wrote:... FaceTime still starts automatically when ever I turn on the iSight....

Can you  use the menu command to FaceTime > Quit as soon as FT launches?

If not, be sure to update your OS X 10.9.1  and Skype software, too.  My 10.10 Macs let me make a test video Skype call even though I left FaceTime running. Both apps show the same local image of me , but my Skype call works. 

Unless you have an FT video session going when you try to start your Skype video session, you should be able to minimize FT and use Skype video.  At least I can do so on my 10.10 Macs.

It's not that I can't close or minimize facetime when it opens, it's that it opens when it is not wanted. It baffles me that this behavior can not be controlled...

Even if I minimize or close facetime, as soon as the camera turns on it pops up in front of everything else. So I have to close it every time I answer a Skype call.

I tried using a third party Firewire controller, hoping that the listener was only paying attention to the Apple ports. No luck.

Annoying part is that this behavior could be turned off in iChat with a simple check-box. That they removed the option in Facetime is very vexing.

Kujako wrote: .... It baffles me that this behavior can not be controlled...

No need to be baffled.  That is simply how Apple chose to write this version of the software.

Kujako wrote:.... Annoying part is that this behavior could be turned off in iChat ...

Yes...well... iChat is (at least by you and me) sorely missed since Mac OS X 8.x.  I am no more pleased than you about  the "Messages" app that was apparently offered as a replacement for the missing iChat.

Kujako wrote:... That they removed the option in Facetime is very vexing.

If you want to offer comments or suggestions directly to Apple,

Apple claims to welcome feedback on its products.

iChat Feedback is covered via the Messages Feedback link.

The only way I see to offer feedback for Mac OS X's FaceTime is via the OS  X Feedback link.

You will not likely see a response, but "Feedback" offers the best assurance that responsible Apple people will see your input.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.10

Just discovered this automagical annoyance as well! In my case I have a Mac mini with an iSight, FaceTime would take control of the the camera on boot blocking iCam Source (which I used for a vacation security cam) - not ideal if there was a power loss, the mini reboots, but Facetime is blocking iCam from accessing the camera!

Workaround:

Open Disk Utility

Drag the FaceTime.app into Disk Utility

This will make a .dmg disk image file in Applications

Delete Facetime (this is trickier as Finder will not allow this)

     Open Terminal, type in: sudo rm -rf /Applications/FaceTime.app

Now when you want to use FaceTime:

double click the FaceTime.dmg in Applications

The disk image will mount

Double Click FaceTime.app

Perhaps there is a launchd an dplist to be modified out there - but it's what I came up with on the night before vacay :]

Joel Bruner1 wrote: ... Perhaps there is a launchd an dplist to be modified out there...

Before modifying system files, try checking the "No application" setting in the "Connecting camera opens" choices bar of iPhoto > Preferences... > General as shown in this image:

Then restart Mac and test whether the problem is resolved.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.10.3

I am having this exact same problem, running an older firewire iSight on my Macbook Pro running 10.9.5 and trying to run iCam which FT blocks etc... Tried the iPhoto fix but it crashes when I open the Pref panel but No Application is already clicked in the box.

I want to Edit this post as I seem to found a fix, I went into FT Services and switched the camera option from iSight to iGlasses (a program I run that allows you to control your camera better) but there is also a option for choosing built in. I have unplugged my iSight and back in and no FT launching so far.

I am running OS 10.9.5