FaceTime Compatibility iPhone X and older devices

So, I just got a brand new iPhone X. It's absolutely great except for FaceTime with older devices. FaceTime works great with other iPhones like the iPhone 6, but it doesn't work with older phones like the iPhone 4 or iPad 2.


What happens when I make a FaceTime call, to my Mac Book Pro, it works fine. When I use my iPhone X to call someone with an iPhone 6, it works fine. However, when I attempt FaceTime with my Mom using her iPad 2, she can't see me. She can hear me but her iPad shows a black screen with the usual "Poor Connection" warning.


The same thing happens when I attempt FaceTime with my iPhone 4.


This issue persists whether I am on WiFi or LTE.


I have rebooted my iPhone X and my iPhone 4.

I have reset the clock on my iPhone X and iPhone 4. (currently set to automatic)

I have rebooted my router.


My thought is that legacy devices can't handle the video coming from the much higher resolution FaceTime camera on the iPhone X. It seems like there should be a compatibility mode on the newer iPhones to allow lower resolution for older device compatibility.


The big question I have, is anyone else seeing the same issue? Specifically with an iPhone X (or 8) and older devices.

iPhone X, iOS 11.2.5

Posted on Jan 31, 2018 2:42 PM

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3 replies

Feb 7, 2018 1:58 PM in response to MrBill3

Thanks for the input MrBill3, but as mentioned in my original post, FaceTime works fine except when I try FaceTime with my iPhone X and older devices like my iPhone 4 or my mom's iPad 2, where the person on the other end can hear me but not see me. I suspect that I'm not having a FaceTime problem per se, but rather a compatibility problem with FaceTime between newer phones like the iPhone X and older devices like the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.


I just wonder if anyone else is seeing this issue with newer iPhones and older legacy devices.

Mar 24, 2018 1:57 PM in response to alq-131

Hi alq-131,


Just to let you know I'm having the same issue! I bought a iPhone X this December and now when I FaceTime my parents (they have iPhone 4), I can see them, but they can't see me, they also get a black screen and see poor connection. They are able to FaceTime my sister who has iPhone 6, and I can FaceTime other people in the same house as my parents who have iPhone 6 or higher.


It took me a while to figure out the issue was the phones, I wasted time and money upgrading router and ISP!


A solution like compatibility mode would be great.


Cheers,

Sandeep

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FaceTime Compatibility iPhone X and older devices

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