Malcolm Owen
Apple's patch to close an exploit in Group FaceTime is only partially successful, as some users are reporting the service is preventing them from adding more contacts to a FaceTime call that is already in progress, an issue that Apple seemingly knows about.
Apple's iOS update to 12.1.4 largely consisted of a bug fix for a widely-publicized Group FaceTime exploit. While the update effectively re-enabled the feature, with iPhone and iPad users able to set up Group FaceTime calls once again, not everything appears to have been solved by the patch.
It has been found that, while users can commence both standard two-person FaceTime calls and Group FaceTime calls of three or more people, in some cases it is not possible to switch from a FaceTime call to a Group FaceTime version. In some cases, the option to "Add Person" is not available during a FaceTime call, preventing the addition of more participants to a call.
Affected users are still capable of commencing a Group FaceTime call with multiple other contacts, but shifting from a one-to-one call to one with more than three people taking part is seemingly failing.
A reader of MacRumors has reportedly received a confirmation from Apple Support that it is a known issue, but with no timescale for a fix. Posts from Apple's Twitter-based support also mention the limitation switching between FaceTime and the Group version.
As the issue doesn't directly prevent Group FaceTime from being used and is less severe in nature, unlike the exploit, it is probable that Apple will release an update for iOS resolving the issue, albeit at a less urgent speed. It is plausible a fix could arrive as part of iOS 12.2, which is currently undergoing the beta testing process.
The exploit, discovered in January, enabled users to eavesdrop upon a contact using the Group FaceTime system, without any need for the extra participant to pick up the call before audio and even video is transmitted. Apple quickly disabled the feature before creating the patch, and has rewarded the teenage discoverer of the bug via the company's bug bounty system.
The emergence of the bug has prompted lawsuits, including one claiming a lawyer was taking a deposition.
David Schloss
Christine McKee
Amber Neely
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
Oliver Haslam
12 Comments
I actually had this same problem with iOS and Mojave but then I realized the iPads I was trying to add were not on iOS 12.1.4 and rather on 12.1.2. Upgraded the iPads and all devices we able to do Group FaceTime just fine from Mojave and iOS. Wonder if that’s the issue people are seeing and if so that would be by design.
I’ve been having problems adding a third party to an audio only call. My Max winds up ending the call instead of merging them.
Well, that’s a fail! Adding a 3rd person to an existing 2 person call is probably the singe most importion function of Group FaceTime.
Oh boy...better take this to CNN and make a world crisis out of it!