New iPhone 4 - No Facetime Buttons/Options

Facetime

Well, the new iPhone has offically launched with today's store release. Naturally, RustyBrick was on hand to get our brand new iPhones. However, at least 2 of us here at the office have had a serious issue when upgrading our old 3G phones to the new iPhone 4.

 

When you go into a contact, there should be buttons below the phone number like this.

However, when I plugged in my iPhone 4 and restored from the backup of my iPhone 3G, I did NOT get these buttons below my contact. See below!

 

I have just "fixed" the problem, and I did it without restoring the whole phone! Try these steps in order and hopefully it will work for you!

 

  1. Try going into SETTINGS -> PHONE -> FACETIME. Switch it to ON. If it's already ON, switch it OFF and then back to ON. Go back and see if it works.
  2. Still nothing? Go into SETTINGS->GENERAL->RESET->Reset All Settings. This will wipe your passwords and such. After it's done, go back and see if it works.
  3. Still no buttons? Go into iTunes and click Restore. Go through all the steps until it begins Downloading the iPhone software. Click the X to cancel the download. Don't worry, it's doesn't delete anything from your phone until it's all done with the iOS download which takes like 20 minutes. Then, go back to your phone and sync it. Then turn on the setting for Facetime back in Step 1.

At this point, my buttons were there and and I was able to both send and receive Facetime calls. Again, this only appears to be an issue for certain 3G/3GS with iOS 4.0 who set up their iPhone not as a new phone, but rahter restored from that 3G/3GS backup. Hopefully this helps. Please report in the comments below and we can help each other through these launch bugs!!

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100 COMMENTS

posted by Breckstone on: Jan 31, 2012 03:54pm

It looks like if you buy an iPhone 4/4S from the middle east FaceTime will not work at all.  That's what I did since I was working in Qatar.  Now I'm back home in the US and FaceTime still is not working.  Although I'm using an ATT sim card and I have already restored my iPhone twice, once using the standard restore button in iTunes and the second time I actually put the iPhone in DFU mode and that forced iTunes to restore iOS...  Still no luck.  Does anyone know what I can do beyond that?  Is jailbreaking my only options?  Why does Apple stink so bad? 

posted by Josephn_lb on: Jan 23, 2012 08:25pm

i am using a new iphone 4s but i don't find facetime

posted by Aldzq on: Jan 22, 2012 02:24pm

very helpfull...thanks!

posted by Sulthansmh on: Oct 3, 2011 12:34pm

pls go to cydia & search middlewhat>installl

posted by Shaz1450 on: Jan 17, 2012 04:37am

now i am in uae. my mob have there is no facetime option. any option for install face time...??? please mail me shaz1450@yhoo.co.in

posted by Marifahacmad on: Jan 16, 2012 06:51am

why i don't have facetime in my iphone 4 even in phone settings there is no facetime?

posted by Dix_fix on: Jan 13, 2012 09:28pm

THanks after restoreing my iphone3 to my iPhone4 i had exactly this problem & also no FaceTime app icon. This "FIX" fixed the facetime buttons in my dialer but still no FaceTime icon/app displayed in my menus

posted by Shirin D on: Jan 12, 2012 03:22pm

I still don't have Facetime option.

posted by Shirin D on: Jan 12, 2012 03:15pm

I don't have facetime option in settings->phone ! :(

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posted by Nestineangelo on: Jan 8, 2012 08:26am

Fuuuuck. Im using iphone 4s and there is no facetime button .... And in the settings there is no facetime setting :(

posted by Dfanfong on: Oct 24, 2010 01:49am

worked. but i don't have that video symbol along with facetime. the button only says facetime.

posted by Himosha on: Jul 2, 2011 11:52pm

try updating the ios and let us know if the facetime will work

posted by E Brownlee on: Dec 28, 2011 12:12pm

my buttons will not move and i have no download on my iphone4 why help

posted by E Brownlee on: Dec 28, 2011 12:08pm

my butten will not move om my iphone4 my download will not come on 

posted by Saraneharrell on: Dec 27, 2011 11:39pm

It seems to me that the FaceTime button will show up only for contacts that have a specified email address in the contact information.  If no email has been specified for the contact, no FaceTime button will be visible.

posted by HAI :) on: Dec 26, 2011 09:03pm

same!

posted by Fadi on: Dec 26, 2011 08:06am

hi, Actually i am in UAE (United Arab Emirates)and i want to buy an iphone from here, and the facetime is not included in the mobile due to some Restrictions in the Country.. do you think that the above mentioned solution that you gave will work to have facetime again? thanks & Regards, Fadi

posted by Jellybean2422 on: Dec 25, 2011 04:31pm

i was so confused because i had an itouch and there was a facetime app. i got it now

posted by R10ahmed on: Dec 23, 2011 12:23pm

even when i go to settings > phone there is no facetime button!

posted by Dp_olvi on: Dec 20, 2011 04:13pm

i installed middlewhat from cydia but still didnt work.. my 4g has 4.2.1 os and firmware of 01.59.00 , facetime is switched on in the phone setting but it only says.."waiting for activation.." how long will that activation be.. it's been days and still the same.. no face time in the contacts.. :(

posted by Ramesh on: Dec 18, 2011 08:58pm

thanx. The settings change worked.

posted by Sayhun on: Feb 17, 2011 01:33pm

hi in my phone its showing setting/phone/but no face time at all even it is iphone4.please help

posted by Sulthan on: Oct 3, 2011 12:30pm

thanks alot....u r a greate man

posted by dizzylou818 on: Dec 7, 2011 07:13am

Thanks so much! It was driving me crazy as to why the App button, along with YouTube,and Safari didn't load. Then, I realized I didn't have the face time on my phone either. Your answer took care of everything! Thanks so much! I can now go to sleep!:)

posted by Fdod121 on: Dec 1, 2011 10:55pm

hi ... just wanna ask .. if u know how can i make facetime work in middle east iphone4 ? i have no facetime button on phone sitting .. 

posted by Kiran on: Jul 28, 2011 07:50pm

make sure you swicth facetime on under Settings---->General--->Restrictions----> FacetimeOn and Under Phone facetime on, Hope it works

posted by need help! on: Jun 16, 2011 11:17pm

thats what happened to me! iPhone 4 but no facetime? they keep advertising the iPhone 4 with facetime and junkk but its NOT working. i'm getting frustrated and need help!!

posted by Jaydarn on: Nov 26, 2011 10:24pm

I has the same problem and ive just fixed it ! thanks to you !  My face time worked on step ! ; )

posted by Sublist on: Nov 26, 2011 06:01am

I have this same problem. I finally got it to show the option in my contacts, but I can not find just the app to launch it. Anyone have an idea of what I can try?

posted by Steve F on: Sep 22, 2011 12:50am

FaceTime is not an app.  FaceTime will be shown as a button in contacts.

posted by MainMat on: Nov 23, 2011 04:02pm

I just purchased a new iPhone4 a month or so and hadnt even had a chance to try out the Facetime and the new operating system came out and i went ahead and did that. Afterward, I was missing the "camera" and the "Facetime" icons. I'm going to try your suggestions and see what happens. Since I've tried the enhanced support that im paying extra for twice and they were unable to fix the problem. thanks, M

posted by JH on: Oct 28, 2011 05:42pm

Thank you!!!  I did a reset to my phone and facetime is now appearing on my contacts.  Much easier and quicker than trying to go to the apple store for help.

posted by apryyl mae on: Oct 22, 2011 08:38am

thanks t'was a big help for me and i was able to update to ios 4s

posted by Savy on: Oct 21, 2011 07:09pm

What I did was : 1. Turn on Wifi connection 2. Go to SETTINGS - PHONE - FACETIME switch to ON then OFF then ON. 3. Take off the SIMCARD then insert it back to my iPhone 4. Then go back to SETTINGS - PHONE - FACETIME, just wait until it says "your phone number will be shared with people you call with FaceTime", it actually takes quite awhile though, but it did work! That's it. Hopefully helps!

posted by jimbobboy on: Jun 24, 2010 08:56pm

nice work.

posted by Amer on: Oct 19, 2011 08:17pm

I don't have this option in the Settings' Menu.. I have iPhone 4, with IOS5 just installed. It wasn't there, it's still not present. Anyway to install it?

posted by EMK on: Oct 16, 2011 03:44pm

i have nothing about facetime on my settings or somewhere else.

posted by shalz on: Oct 12, 2011 03:27pm

Hi I have an Iphone 4 which I bought in Dubai and I live in India. It is not a jail broken iphone. The phone  doesn't have the facetime button in the 'SETTINGS -> PHONE' section. Also, the software is updated - it's 4.3.5 I did try restoring it and followed the steps you mentioned above. There is STILL no facetime option on my phone. Please help. I can't seem to fix this problem. Thanks

posted by Eugene Skripnick on: Oct 9, 2011 10:45am

thanks man, had exactly same problem and fix with your help

posted by Guest on: Feb 4, 2011 05:22pm

Still no luck..

posted by BiBiJackson on: Oct 4, 2011 07:51pm

Second step worked for me. THANKS!!!!

posted by J2ip on: Oct 3, 2011 01:00pm

It is work for me, thx Joe

posted by Stevejobs on: Jun 24, 2010 11:29pm

Go to settings/general/reset. Reset All settings. Then make sure you are connected to Wi Fi Connection. Then go to settings/phone/ and make turn off facetime switch then turn back on facetime switch. Call someone by phone then once connected with them hit facetime. IT will work.

posted by guest on: Sep 26, 2011 04:57pm

well done , been searching forever great tip

posted by Arshard on: Sep 26, 2011 08:49am

Thank you! worked like a charm!

posted by tim on: Sep 23, 2011 12:58am

thanks buddy! :D

posted by Alloallo7 on: Sep 21, 2011 06:39pm

Hey thanks man, I tried option No. 2 and it worked YAY!!! :)

posted by nicole on: Sep 21, 2011 04:03am

None of this is working for me and i'm getting the shits

posted by Nader on: Sep 18, 2011 03:29pm

very helful. thx

posted by Shibbygtr on: Sep 18, 2011 05:01am

you peice of shit all my contacts are gone thansk alot your going to hell

posted by Klewis051 on: Sep 14, 2011 07:21pm

I have an iphone 4 as well but...i recently did a full restore on it an then jailbroke an i have been trying since yesterday..but it only saying 'waiting for activation"

posted by Cloyd Villegas on: Sep 14, 2011 03:40pm

Cloyd: There should be FACETIME there in your iPhone. Here's what you need to do. Click SETTINGS, choose PHONE and then turn on FACETIME. It will say "WAITING FOR ACTIVATION", you just need to wait until it prompt you "Your Phone will be sahred with people you call with FaceTIme". That's It! Enjoy Video Calling using FACETIME.

posted by Shaikhmuhyiddin on: Sep 13, 2011 10:48am

In Saudi Arabia, iPhone 4 sold my the STC carrier is not having Facetime application. On calling their customer care, they say that its not available for the Saudi Arabian iPhone's. Is there any solution for this????

posted by Poopp on: Sep 13, 2011 08:09am

lol

posted by Jorgeqch on: Sep 5, 2011 03:56am

thanx very helpful

posted by Almarsumisabah on: Sep 1, 2011 09:08am

this was not working on iphone 4 which has the latest version

posted by Guest on: Aug 31, 2011 12:48am

Thanks Rusty, I'm 64 and I couldn't work it out.  Your a lifesaver.  I just did Step 1 thank you very much.

posted by Nicky on: Aug 30, 2011 03:00am

every time i try to connect it asks me to connect to a wi-fi network, what is this

posted by BLANCA on: Aug 29, 2011 10:03pm

THANKS THIS WORKED FOR ME

posted by Ctransue2738 on: Aug 29, 2011 05:56pm

you have to go the contact name. My 'facetime' app has vanished, and is no where to be found. For me, the contact name had the 'facetime' button, but again, no app.

posted by AFgjg on: Aug 26, 2011 12:34pm

Yeah! This was it !

posted by cward on: Aug 24, 2011 05:47pm

Thank you so much!  The first step worked perfectly!

posted by Aaron on: Aug 22, 2011 03:09am

helped me figure it out! thanks!

posted by Hmio on: Aug 20, 2011 04:13pm

thank you very much

posted by Kaledo on: Aug 18, 2011 07:17pm

hi to get facetime through cydia please install  MiddleWhat kaledo

posted by Tauryn Lorraine on: Aug 18, 2011 04:19am

vey helpful , thanks !

posted by Raijaz on: Aug 16, 2011 08:15pm

thanx man.. 

posted by t1 on: Aug 10, 2011 07:57pm

thanks.  i followed step 1 then i just turned off my phone and restarted it. then it showed up. so i don't think you need to go through the whole process of restoring.  thanks again. 

posted by Hollaa on: Aug 8, 2011 09:35pm

Well ! I Dont Have A Sim Card ! And I Want To Facetime! What I Supposed To Do? Help Me Please

posted by Prajin on: Aug 4, 2011 04:34pm

I bought a new iPhone 4 with version 4.1 and there is no facetime button/option and neither a provision to activate it. Does it mean version 4.1 does not support face time? please help mePrajin

posted by DaMarie7 on: Aug 4, 2011 03:37am

Great!!  Very very  helpful!!!!  You solved my mystery!!

posted by Sherwinmartiinquilla on: Aug 3, 2011 01:45pm

when i go to settings there still no facetime options.. only my number.. what should i do?

posted by Medooe36 on: Jul 28, 2011 03:48pm

I tried all of this but it didn't work 

posted by Sanjay on: Jul 28, 2011 06:02am

hi this all fine but what you should do if you don't have face time button at all in iphon4 like un-supported country plz reply

posted by Kathrinejepsen on: Jul 27, 2011 09:53pm

Mine said it was unsuccessful. I am trying to connect from my Iphone4 to the Ipod but it won't work. Tried to turn on and off the Facetime under phone settings and it read 'waiting for activation' but nothing happens. Have been waiting for about 30mins now 

posted by Avinashr777 on: Jul 27, 2011 11:20am

hey i tried all of this but seems to be of no help.... iv got a brand new iphone4 which doesn have the facetime option at all.... iv updated it to 4.3.5 version but still its missing.... wondering if i was taken for a ride....

posted by Cmull328 on: Jul 27, 2011 12:40am

Had to restore the entire phone, no X to stop downloading the software.  Hopefully it works.  I had just restored last week due to a different issue.

posted by Asgfw on: Jul 25, 2011 02:57pm

woop woop! Step one worked a treat! thanks!

posted by Cyclepimp on: Jul 22, 2011 02:37am

worked great for me.  The first step settings, phone, turn on facetime

posted by halu on: Jul 20, 2011 05:34pm

thnks but my handy is factory unlocked and jail breaked and if i install from itunes my handy will be locked and i cant use it in maldives

posted by grateful grand dad on: Jul 18, 2011 08:24pm

It's amazing. No where in apple support for Iphone 4 could I find the simple solution to adding FaceTime that you provided. Thank you now I don't look so dumb tomy 7 year-old grandson.

posted by Francomolini on: Jul 16, 2011 05:19pm

I'm on iOS 4.3.3 and it still doesn't appear de FACETIME option...

posted by Ernie on: Jul 15, 2011 05:01pm

That worked great, just had to wait for activation. Thanks

posted by Myidluqu on: Jul 10, 2011 01:13pm

I bought new ipod touch 4g and facetime should be already installed it is not there :/ Please help

posted by bill on: Jul 9, 2011 03:54am

my iphone doesnt even show the facetime app. how do i get it to?

posted by Bonneydoon on: Jul 9, 2011 02:53am

worked for me too

posted by Regis365 on: Jul 7, 2011 07:19am

call someone with an iphone 4, buttons should appear

posted by Regis365 on: Jul 7, 2011 07:18am

try calling someone with an iphone 4 and the buttons should appear

posted by Theheroness on: Jul 5, 2011 09:22pm

Thank you!!! After months of living in a conundrum, I finally Google and find this. Bless you!

posted by Himosha on: Jul 2, 2011 11:49pm

I purchased a brand new iphone4 with ios 4.2.1 and there is no facetime. I decided to update the ios to 4.3.3 and still no facetime button appears!!! Any help???

posted by Hiddennboy_007 on: Jul 1, 2011 01:06pm

i have iphone 4 but there is no facetime icon not in setting even...?????help me

posted by Toniak7 on: Jun 25, 2011 04:47am

This helped me a lot. Thanks!

posted by Spd4155 on: Jun 22, 2011 04:14pm

This worked for me as well and did not have to do step 3.  The only thing missing is the FaceTime icon, which on my iPad is there but not on my iPhone.  Should my iPhone have the icon or is it just in the contacts area?

posted by Limkanvbb on: Jun 9, 2011 01:33pm

Very helpful. Thanks a lot!

posted by Limkanvbb on: Jun 9, 2011 01:33pm

Very helpful. Thanks a lot!

posted by Limkanvbb on: Jun 9, 2011 01:33pm

Very helpful. Thanks a lot!

posted by Jigenc on: Jun 9, 2011 07:08am

me too.....iphone4 but no facetime??? 

posted by Kwest4646 on: Jun 7, 2011 12:27pm

That was so sweet and generous of you to share that info with us. You could have just thought about yourself. Thank you very much. So I didn't have to spend hours with tech support. Or if they told me to redo my whole phone first thing, that would have been really awful. I only had to go to your first step kind of. At first it didn't work, then I restarted my phone and wahla ! Problem fixed. You might want to give the option of restarting on your directions as part of step one ? Thank you again for clear directions and for sharing ! :)

posted by ggus on: Jun 24, 2010 08:06pm

This worked for me as well. Thanks. The Face Time was really clear.