PSA: Group FaceTime's Video Chat Not Available on Older iOS Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple today released iOS 12.1, which reintroduces the Group FaceTime feature that was removed during the iOS 12 beta testing process.

Group FaceTime is designed to let iPhone, iPad, and Mac users conduct video and audio chats with up to 32 participants at one time, with new camera effect features like filters, stickers, Animoji, and Memoji included.

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Unfortunately, Group FaceTime is limited on older Apple devices. On the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, it is available in an audio-only capacity with no video. In its recently released iOS 12.1 user guide, Apple says that Group FaceTime video is not compatible with these devices.

"Note: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus support only audio Group FaceTime calls. Group FaceTime may not be available in all regions."

Group FaceTime is also limited to audio-only on the iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad Air, and iPod touch.

According to Apple's official Group FaceTime support document, Group FaceTime with full video is limited to the iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 4, and iOS 12.1 is, of course, required for the feature to work.

Group FaceTime calls can be initiated via the FaceTime app or through a group conversation within the Messages app. When you're on a Group FaceTime call, the interface is organized into tiles, with the tile of the person speaking at the time getting larger so you can focus on each person.

Like regular FaceTime calls in iOS 12, Group FaceTime calls support a range of camera effects so you can use stickers, Animoji, Memoji, and filters during your calls.

Group FaceTime supports ringless notifications to let people join calls without disrupting conversations already in progress, and there are built-in tools for seamlessly adding or removing people from your chat. For more details on how to use Group FaceTime, make sure to check our our Group FaceTime walkthrough and how to.

Article Link: PSA: Group FaceTime's Video Chat Not Available on Older iOS Devices

 

[DrJohnnyN]

That's good. People on older devices are now forced to update if they want Group FaceTime.

 

[keysofanxiety]

That's good. People on older devices are now forced to update if they want Group FaceTime.

People on an iPhone 5S or 6.

6S upwards still works fine.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

People on an iPhone 5S or 6.

6S upwards still works fine.

Yes, I read the article.

 

[rictus007]

I think I used it with a 6s... during the beta testing period

 

[madKIR]

In other words, it’s available in its full capacity on the devices with at least 2 gigs of RAM. There go all those Apple defenders claiming that 1 gig was enough lol

 

[PGVIDEO]

Yay, planned obsolescence...

 

[keysofanxiety]

Yes, I read the article.

Jolly good, cause it’s not all older devices. Just ones that are 4 years old.

 

[bpeeps]

That's good. People on older devices are now forced to update if they want Group FaceTime.

I don't think group facetime is a killer feature to force people to upgrade 4 year old phones. Likely if they're holding onto their phones now, they still will.
[doublepost=1540929360][/doublepost]

Yay, planned obsolescence...

If this were limited to the latest phones, you'd have a real case for this. But phones that were released ibefore 2014 are lucky they receive updates at all.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I don't think group facetime is a killer feature to force people to upgrade 4 year old phones. Likely if they're holding onto their phones now, they still will.

I don’t think they were looking to make a serious point to open up a debate, just a knee jerk comment after reading the article’s title so they could rack up some easy likes.

 

[840quadra]

Yay, planned obsolescence...

Then why offer it on anything older than an Xs or Xr?

I am sure they wanted the full experience, or audio only, as a way to bring consistency for users.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Jolly good, cause it’s not all older devices. Just ones that are 4 years old.

Dinosaurs.

 

[scottct1]

Didn't it work with those older devices fine on the betas? I seem to remembers that it did.

 

[MauiPa]

Planned obsolescence, I can hear the lawsuits being filed already. And can they please bring back the floppy drives? We all miss them

 

[CarpalMac]

6S upwards still works fine.

Yay! Still rocking my 6S, IMO it's still the best of the iphones and certainly the best for my specific needs. Facetime is the best app for those with limited data connections. I tried several when in the Scottish Highlands where the WiFi was <1meg and it was the only one that gave great image and sound quality. Hangouts and Skype (the major other options) were awful by comparison.

Will be the end of my ios journey though when it dies. Apple's priced me out of the market.

 

[nt5672]

It probably would have taken a couple of days more time to optimize for those devices. But you know Apple, once a device is out the door, no more improvements, no loyalty to older customers. Apple is all about what hardware have you bought this year.

 

[TrulsZK]

Yes, Similar to email HTML, WebKit and No Hey Siri on older Apple watches, which required an Apple Watch Series 3 or later to work properly

 

[tridley68]

downloading now can't wait to see the improvements.

 

[BigJohno]

Yay, planned obsolescence...

Think it's more of a processing bottleneck... Encoding 30+ video streams on a device with 1gb and lack luster cpu...

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I don't think group facetime is a killer feature to force people to upgrade 4 year old phones. Likely if they're holding onto their phones now, they still will.

You are correct - I will not be upgrading from my 6+ over this. And I won't be upgrading to an XS, XR, or XS MAX on account of the insane pricing.

The new iPad Pro is both far better than any of the new iPhones in pretty much every way, and cheaper than the new iPhones. It's shocking and making me think about maybe getting it instead. Biggest drawback is you can't send/receive texts... next biggest drawback is the lack of being pocket sized.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

You are correct - I will not be upgrading from my 6+ over this. And I won't be upgrading to an XS, XR, or XS MAX on account of the insane pricing.

The new iPad Pro is both far better than any of the new iPhones in pretty much every way, and cheaper than the new iPhones. It's shocking and making me think about maybe getting it instead. Biggest drawback is you can't send/receive texts... next biggest drawback is the lack of being pocket sized.

Yay! Still rocking my 6S, IMO it's still the best of the iphones and certainly the best for my specific needs. Facetime is the best app for those with limited data connections. I tried several when in the Scottish Highlands where the WiFi was <1meg and it was the only one that gave great image and sound quality. Hangouts and Skype (the major other options) were awful by comparison.

Will be the end of my ios journey though when it dies. Apple's priced me out of the market.

What do you think the pricing should be for the current iPhone lineup?

 

[Googlyhead]

iPod touch?
As in the model still sold new by Apple?

So a current product is incapable of running the current software optimally?
Or the current software is unable to run satisfactorily on current hardware?

 

[rjohnstone]

So this should work on the SE since it’s basically a 6S in a 5S case.
Both use the A9 cpu.

 

[lec0rsaire]

This was to be expected. This feature probably requires a significant amount of GPU horsepower that the A7 and A8 simply don’t have.

I still think mini 3 purchasers got the short end of the stick. Apple really shouldn’t have refreshed that model with the same A8 from the mini 2 but they did it so what can you do.

 

[Michael Goff]

Yay, planned obsolescence...

What? They’re supporting the 6S and up with this, it’s hardly like they’re restricting it to the newest ones only.