FaceTime is a convenient way to make calls but this won’t be possible when your FaceTime icon on your iPad or iPhone greys out. I understand why your FaceTime is greyed out is a matter of concern that requires your attention.
So, why is FaceTime greyed out? FaceTime may grey out due to a bug on an iPhone or iPad. This issue could also result from a connection problem on the iPhone or the App settings. Unfortunately, an iOS update will not fix this issue but you can try other adjustments to resolve it instead of waiting for an update.
FaceTime is an amazing app that enables you to make local and international calls without having to worry about your services provider’s chargers; however, you need to understand how to use it.
FaceTime users continue to report the unavailability of the FaceTime option for contacts due to greying out, such that they are unable to initiate calls. This problem is on the iPhone and not the iPad for some users.
Your FaceTime will grey out due to a settings issue or a problem with your internet connection. However, before troubleshooting the issues you suspect, you should ensure that you have this App on your phone and available in your region.
To check FaceTime availability in your region, ask your carrier or confirm with your friends in the same region if they can use the App. Also, you should check that the person you want to call owns a compatible iPad, iPhone, or Mac and that they are signed in with their Apple ID. Lastly, ensure you enter the correct phone number and Apple ID of the person you want to call. If you check all the above and FaceTime is still greyed out, it is time to try more fixes.
Since you need to connect to the internet for FaceTime to work, an unstable connection will affect functionality. Therefore, check that your iPhone is connected to the Wi-Fi. If connected, you can tap to disconnect, connect then check for any changes.
If you are using Cellular Data, ensure you turn it on for successful use. To turn on Cellular Data, navigate to the settings and tap Mobile Data. Under the Apps Using WLan & Cellular option, find the FaceTime App and turn on the Data.
Turning on app restrictions may also prevent FaceTime from working fine. Thus, to check if there are any, navigate to the Settings, General, then Restrictions. Enabling Restrictions and turning off FaceTime will make it unavailable on your home page.
Thus, enable FaceTime and open your contacts to check for improvements. Your device could also have the wrong general settings affecting FaceTime functionality. In such a case where you cannot pinpoint which setting is off, you will need to reset your network.
This reset will erase your APN and VPN settings, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and cellular settings. However, your other apps and photos will remain untouched. To do this, navigate to the Settings, General, Reset, and Reset All Settings. You will receive a prompt to enter your password and wait for the system to reset.
If all the above options fail, it is time to recreate your contacts. Recreating contacts entails deleting them and saving them afresh. Before going any further, you should backup all the contacts you will delete if they are too many.
If they are a handful, you can write them down on a piece of paper. Next, open the Contacts app, and at the bottom, select Contacts. Navigate to the contact you want to delete; tap Edit and scroll down to the Delete option.
Once deleted, you can recreate these contacts in one of two ways. First, tap the contacts at the bottom of your App, then the plus icon at the top right. This action will open a new interface, allowing you to enter the new contact’s details. When done, tap Done at the top right to save the contact. Secondly, you can tap the Recent option at the bottom of your Contacts App.
Next to the number, tap info, then select Create New Contact. On the window that opens, enter the relevant details, tap Done to save, and check whether you can make a FaceTime call to the contact.
Other edits you may need to make for your contacts include completing the number by saving it in full. Sometimes, you may not FaceTime with a contact simply because it is in the wrong format or lacks the country code. If this is the case, click the contact icon, edit, and add the respective country code to your number.
Will My Alarm Still Go Off on FaceTime?
A missed alarm can mess up your day, hence it is important to ensure that all your settings do not prevent it from going off. This explains why you are likely to worry whether your alarm will go off while on FaceTime.
On a FaceTime call or a normal call, the alarm will go off as it was set. This is despite the phone being silent or in the Do Not Disturb mode. The only time the alarm will not sound is if the phone is off. Also to note is that the person you are on the phone with will also hear your alarm sound on their end.
Since you would not want to miss your alarm for any reason, you should check your ringer volume. If this sound is on mute or too low, you may not hear your alarm when they sound. To adjust your ringer volume, navigate to your iPhone settings and select the Sound and Haptics option. Under Ringer and Alerts, ensure the slider is at your desired value.
On the other hand, you can make this adjustment using the side buttons if you have the change with Buttons option. Thus, the next time you are on FaceTime and wondering how to keep track of time, maintain your peace. As long as you set your alarm, it will go off.
Why Does My Phone Overheat on FaceTime?
FaceTime provides one of the most amazing ways to interact with your friends and family. However, while you may want to spend more time on these calls, you may encounter limitations caused by your phone overheating, cutting short your conversation.
Generally, indulging in video calls means that your camera is in use, the Wi-Fi is connected, and the speakers on high volume. With all these running in the background, a video call will strain your phone, resulting in overheating.
If your phone has a pending update, it may continuously overheat during FaceTime. Thus, before resolving overheating issues in any other way, ensure that your iOS is up to date. Being in direct sunlight while using your phone can speed up overheating, not to mention if your battery is running low.
An overheating phone will produce unusual noise or shut off. Failure to resolve this issue may damage your device altogether. Among the fixes you can try to reduce your phone’s heat include switching off your mobile data, reducing brightness, switching rooms, avoiding charging during use, closing unused apps, resetting your network settings upgrading your iOS, and a factory reset.
Many users online admit that switching off mobile data and using Wi-Fi can reduce overheating during FaceTime. To do this, scroll to your Wi-Fi settings and toggle the switch if it is off. Next, select the wireless network you want to connect to and enter your password.
If the ambient temperatures are high, your phone will overwork to cool itself, and, in the process, overheat. Thus, finding a cooler room to video call in will reduce this strain and cool your phone. If you are FaceTiming outside, avoid exposing your phone to direct sun, as this too may cause a similar effect.
Adding your display brightness enables you to see onscreen clearly. However, maintaining this brightness during FaceTime will drain your battery and heat your phone, whether or not you are on FaceTime. Thus, consider reducing the brightness on your control panel to deal with overheating.
Charging your iOS device, whether or not you are on FaceTime, will cause it to overheat. If your phone overheats while you are on FaceTime, unplug the charger. It is advisable to charge your phone first before making your calls rather than during the call. In addition to preventing overheating, this is a safe way to use your device.
Background apps strain the phone as the system focuses on more than one item. If you suspect your phone is overheating due to unused apps in the background, go ahead and close them. Depending on the iPhone model you are using, you will go through this closure differently.
For iPhone X, XR, and newer models, swipe up from the home screen, pause, then scroll left or right for the apps you want to close. To close the app, swipe up. If you are using iPhone SE, 8, and older versions, double click the Home tab to open the application’s preview, scroll left or light to find the apps you want to close, and swipe up to close.
As I had stated earlier, failure to update your system could cause your phone to overheat. In such cases, overheating will be caused by a bug, and you will fix it through an update. To upgrade your iOS, open the Settings application, then Software Updates, and click the install now tab if there is available firmware. After this update, restart your phone to effect the change, and hopefully, your phone will not overheat again during FaceTime.
While updating your IOS helps big time, some of these updates may go wrong, resulting in network problems. To reverse these effects, you need to reset your network settings. A network reset will format your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, and Bluetooth pairings. To perform this, open the Settings app and navigate to the Reset tab. While at this, select Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode to confirm.
Stubborn software may also find its way into your software during installation and updates. To clear such, a factory reset is necessary. Factory resetting your iPhone will clear all your data in a bid to eliminate the software issues, and you should backup all your files before proceeding.
To factory reset your iPhone, go to your Settings App, General, and tap on the Reset tab. Next, tap Erase All Content and Settings and enter your password to reset. After this, restart your iPhone and configure it as you would, a brand new phone.
While you may expect a factory rest to do the magic, this may not always be the case, especially if you are dealing with stubborn software, forcing you into recovery mode. This mode is more comprehensive than a reset and will identify and deal with more errors. However, you should be cautious not to disconnect before the process ends, as this may cause a boot loop.
If this method fails, enter the DFU mode. Entering DFU mode also has risks, especially if you have ever jailbroken your system. Like in the recovery mode, ensure no interruptions during this process lest you enter into a boot loop.
Finally, if you try all the above methods in vain and overheating is becoming a constant headache, this could be a sign of hardware damage. Your battery may also be old, requiring replacement. Thus, visit your Apple store for assistance. Depending on your warranty, you may get these fixes for free.
Wrap Up
While FaceTime can be fun and addictive, this App may grey out, making it impossible to connect with friends and family. Greying out could be due to a settings issue or a problem with your internet connection. If FaceTime is available in your region and you have your contacts in the correct format, then troubleshooting to resolve these issues should follow.
If you are on a FaceTime call, you need not worry about missing your alarm. As long as your phone is on, whether in the Do Not Disturb mode or muted, your alarm will go off at the designated time. Your contact on the other end will also hear it go off.
Thus, to be safe, ensure your volume is up for you to hear it. Finally, if your phone constantly overheats, move out of the sun or hot room, unplug your charger, close background apps, and do the necessary resets. If the problem persists, visit your nearest Apple Store for assistance.
