Your Apple devices usually work fine when you use the default apps. However, there are times when you confront the FaceTime camera not working issue. Not only that, this issue may occur in your iPhone and your Mac.

A survey reported that 47.6% of the US adults frequently used FaceTime after the Covid-19 outbreak. This app is widely used globally due to its seamless video calls.

However, you get upset when the FaceTime camera is not working correctly.

Therefore, this guide will show you how to fix the FaceTime camera and avoid disappointment.

How Do I Get My Camera Back on FaceTime?

No doubt, it’s too early to announce what the actual issue is. There are multiple issues related to your device’s camera that interrupt a FaceTime call. But rest assured because this guide will have all the answers.

Moreover, we’ll solve this issue for iPhones and Mac as well. So, let’s get started with fixing the FaceTime camera on iPhone.

Why is My Camera Not Working on FaceTime Calls on iPhone?

Your iPhone’s front camera malfunctions and you only detect that while using the FaceTime app. However, it’s just a temporary issue.

First, check whether it’s just your phone’s front camera and not the back camera. If that’s the case, the problem might be in your iPhone hardware. Therefore, the best thing is to take your iPhone to the Apple store.

If only the front camera has a problem, check the following:

  • Is there anything sticking on the front camera?
  • Is it the screen protector that made the front camera go blind?
  • Are there any other things that are obstructing the view of the camera?

Now, open any other app and test the front camera. If the problem persists, it might be due to the in-app restriction.

Give Access to Camera in FaceTime

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap the FaceTime icon.
  3. Toggle on the Camera button. That will allow the camera to work on FaceTime.

Now go back and try making a call using FaceTime. If the camera isn’t working, let’s try another method.

Check for iOS Updates

One of the reasons you are getting the FaceTime camera not working issue is that your iPhone needs the software update. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If a new iOS version is available, tap Download and Install.

Once the software update is done, try testing FaceTime again and see if the issue is resolved. However, there’s still a chance that you might not get out of trouble yet. Therefore, it’s better to contact Apple support because the issue might be with your iPhone’s hardware.

There are some methods if the FaceTime camera is not working on your iPhone.

Similarly, these camera issues also occur in your Mac. Therefore, let’s move to the iMac section.

Camera Not Working on FaceTime Call Mac

Before going to the solution, first, analyze the performance of the Mac camera. For example, is it not working only on FaceTime? Or it’s behaving the same way in the photo booth as well?

After that, let’s fix the Mac camera by method one.

Reset PRAM/NVRAM

  1. First of all, shut down your Mac.
  2. Now, power on your Mac and press Command + Options + P + R keys together until the Apple logo appears. You will also see a progress bar, and it shall take time because your Mac is resetting.
  3. Once done, sign in again to your account.
  4. Now, open FaceTime and check whether the camera of your Mac is working or not.

Resetting your Mac is one way to the bug fixes in the system software. However, if it’s working, that’s well and good. Else, let’s try method two.

Mac Terminal Commands

Before trying this method, make sure the Mac camera is not working. You can check that by opening any app that uses the camera. If the result is nothing but dark and the green camera light is blinking, follow these steps:

  1. First, force quit FaceTime or the Camera app. Next, click on the Apple logo on the top-left corner of the menu bar.
  2. In the Apple menu, click Force Quit.
  3. Select the app that uses the camera, and click Force Quit.
  4. After that, open Terminal from Launchpad.
  5. Once you are in the Mac Terminal, type this command: sudo killall VDCAssistant
  6. Press Enter.
  7. Enter the admin’s password.
  8. Now, type this command: sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant, and hit Enter.
  9. After that, restart your Mac.
  10. Check the performance of the FaceTime video again.

Hopefully, the issue might be resolved. But if the problem persists, try checking the app restrictions. You can apply the following methods to your iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

System Preferences

The app permission in your Mac can be why the FaceTime camera is not working. To check that, follow these steps:

  1. First, click on the Apple logo.
  2. Open System Preferences.
  3. Now go to Screen Time. (You can disable Screen Timing entirely as well.)
  4. Find and click the Content & Privacy tab on the left-side panel.
  5. There, select Apps.
  6. Check the box next to the Camera.
  7. Now, click on App Limits from the sidebar.
  8. There, uncheck the box against the apps you don’t want to give the camera permission to.

After that, try running FaceTime and see if the issue is fixed. Otherwise, let’s move to the next method.

Apps Permission

  1. From the Apple menu, go to System Preferences.
  2. Click on the Security & Privacy option.
  3. Now, go to the Privacy menu.
  4. Go to Camera from the side panel.
  5. Select the apps you want to use the camera for. From there, enable FaceTime.
  6. Once done, your Mac might ask you to quit and reopen the app to check the camera.

If you are using macOS Mojave, you have to give permission to the app to use the camera manually.

Force Quit All Background Apps

  1. Go to the Force Quit option by clicking the Apple logo.
  2. Select all the apps and click Force Quit. This will close all the open apps.
  3. After that, rerun FaceTime.

If these methods don’t work, let’s try resetting SMC (System Management Controller).

Reset SMC

SMC controls how your Mac manages the system power. Besides, if you are Apple silicon Mac, restart your Mac. This will restart the device’s camera.

However, following this method to reset SMC if you are using a Mac model with a non-removable battery.

  1. First, shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold Shift + Control + Option + Power/Touch ID for 10 seconds.
  3. Now, release the keys.
  4. To turn on your Mac, press the power button or Touch ID.

Now, if you are using Mac with a removable battery, try this method to reset SMC:

  1. First, power off your Mac.
  2. Now, remove your Mac’s battery.
  3. Next, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
  4. Once done, insert the battery into your Mac again.
  5. Now, turn on your Mac.

This solution refreshes all the system apps. However, if this solution doesn’t help you enough, try the following method.

Restart Your Mac in Safe Mode

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Now, power it on again.
  3. Quickly press and hold the Shift key.
  4. Keep pressing it until you see the safe mode window. First, the Apple logo will appear, don’t release the Shift key. Then, once a window appears on the Mac screen, release the key.
  5. If your Mac has FileVault encryption enabled, you might have to log in twice.
  6. Recheck the camera.
  7. To get out of the Safe Mode, restart your Mac.

Update Your Mac

Just like your iPhone, your Mac might also need a software update. Go to System Preference > Software Update > Download and Install the latest version of macOS. It’s because Apple released bug fixes after the actual MacOS launch.

However, if the MacOS update is of no help, try reinstalling the macOS.

FAQs

Can I Reinstall FaceTime Without Losing Any Data?

Yes, you can reinstall FaceTime without losing any data. If the FaceTime camera is not working on iPhones and Mac, try reinstalling it.

Sometimes, the app itself gets stuck with the device’s camera. Moreover, this issue is common, and you can find similar complaints on Apple Inc. discussion forums.

How to Solve FaceTime Stuck Issue?

You can force quit FaceTime and see if it works. Moreover, try leaving all the apps that use the camera.

Sometimes, the internet connection of your Wi-Fi becomes unstable. In that case, contact your internet service provider at once. Besides, you can try connecting your phone to cellular data and make a test video call.

How to Resolve FaceTime Apple ID Issues?

Sign out of your current Apple ID and try signing with the same Apple ID or a different one. This will resolve this issue.

What to Do if FaceTime is Not Getting Calls?

This issue is related to the current phone number FaceTime. When you don’t receive FaceTime calls, you have to re-activate FaceTime.

Why is My Camera Not Working for Group FaceTime?

On your iPhone, try downloading and installing the latest version of iOS. That will solve the Group FaceTime camera issue.

Conclusion

The FaceTime camera not working issue is common. However, it’s essential to check whether the problem is with the hardware or the software. For example, if the camera light gives the green signal, it’s a hardware issue. Therefore, go to the nearest Apple store, and they solve the issue.

Moreover, you can follow the above methods and solve the software issues related to the FaceTime camera.