On Feb. 7, Apple released iOS 12.1.4, which offers a fix for the Group FaceTime glitch. However, there’s still a problem.
The exploit lets iPhones users listen to conversations of others who haven’t yet accepted a video call. Here’s how it works: the caller starts a FaceTime video call with a contact. While the call is “ringing,” the caller adds themselves manually to the call by tapping Add Person then entering the phone number that the call is being made from. A Group FaceTime call is started with the caller, with the original recipient’s audio streaming before the call is accepted.
iOS 12.1.4 apparently fixed most of the problem. However, MacRumors reports that it appears that users can no longer add a person to a one-on-one FaceTime call. The “Add Person” button remains greyed out and inactive in this situation. The only way to add another person to a Group FaceTime call at this time is to start the call with at least two other people. This slight distinction appears to be the source of confusion for many users.
MacRumors says forum user Bob-K persisted in his support calls with Apple, and was finally told that the “Add Person” button not working in that situation was a known issue and that they didn’t know when it would be fixed. The article notes that affected users can still commence Group FaceTime call with multiple other contacts; however, shifting from a one-to-one call to one with more than three people taking part is failing.
Group FaceTime will allow you to chat with from two to 32 people. Apple says it will offer simple ways to add another person, join an active FaceTime call, or use the same camera effects available in Messages to add stickers, filters or appear to friends and family as an Animoji or Memoji. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac.
You can download iOS 12.1.4 on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings –> General –> Software Update.
