Top 7 Fixes for FaceTime Calls Not Coming Through on Mac

The continuity of processes between iOS and macOS devices in the Apple ecosystem is lauded, but they often fail. With your iPhone and Macbook signed in to the same Apple ID, FaceTime calls from the first ring simultaneously on the second. If FaceTime calls fail on your Mac, sometimes it will happen. In this article, we explore some reasons behind the problem and how to fix it.

First, make sure your Mac is connected to the internet and make sure that the internet is actively transmitting data. You can try to use some apps that require internet access and check if they work or not. If so, restart your router or run other troubleshooting checks on it. VPN connectivity issues can also prevent your Mac’s internet or some apps from not working properly. Disable your VPN (if applicable) and check if FaceTime calls are working now. If you’ve established that your internet connection is working fine and FaceTime calls are still not ringing on your Mac, continue with the solutions below.

1. Turn off FaceTime

Let’s start by disabling FaceTime on your Mac and re-enabling it. This would reactivate the service on your computer and fix anything that is preventing FaceTime calls from going on your Mac. There are two ways to do this.

From the menu bar

Step 1: Launch FaceTime and tap FaceTime on the menu bar.

2nd step: Select “Turn off FaceTime.”

This will disable all FaceTime related activity (audio and video calls) on your Mac. Now close and reopen the app to reactivate the service.

Step 3: You should see an Activate button in the left pane of the FaceTime window. Press this button to reactivate FaceTime on your Mac.

Otherwise, tap FaceTime in the menu bar and select “Turn on FaceTime”.

Wait a few seconds until you see your contacts or call history in the FaceTime window. Now try to make a test call on your FaceTime number and check if the call is routed to your Mac.

From the FaceTime settings menu

While the first method is much simpler, it is another valid method to turn FaceTime on and off on your Mac.

Step 1: With the FaceTime window open, tap FaceTime in the menu bar and select Preferences.

This will launch the FaceTime settings menu.

2nd step: Uncheck the “Activate this account” option under the Apple ID account.

This will turn off FaceTime on your Mac. Close FaceTime, relaunch the app, and tap the Turn On button to turn FaceTime back on.

You can also go to FaceTime (in menu bar)> Preferences> Turn on FaceTime to turn the service back on.

Follow any of the methods mentioned above and FaceTime calls should now sync simultaneously on your Mac. For this purpose, Apple would also send a notification to your iPhone or iPad informing you that the Apple ID is now in use for FaceTime on your Macbook.

3. Check FaceTime contact addresses

If you have multiple addresses (phone numbers and emails) associated with your Apple ID, be sure to set up iPhone and Mac to receive FaceTime calls through the same addresses. For context, if your iPhone is configured to receive calls via Email 1 and Email 2, but FaceTime on your Mac can only receive calls on Email 1, FaceTime calls made to Email 2 will only ring on your iPhone, and not on your Mac.

Here’s how to set up your Macbook’s FaceTime contact address.

Step 1: With the FaceTime window open, tap FaceTime in the menu bar and select Preferences.

2nd step: In the FaceTime settings menu, verify that your preferred contact address (es) are enabled for FaceTime calls on your Mac.

4. Check the date and time settings

Yes, something as basic as the date and time settings could be the reason why you aren’t getting those FaceTime call notifications on your Mac. Check that your device is configured to automatically set and update the date and time without your input.

Step 1: Tap on data or time in the Status menu on your Macbook and select “Open date and time preferences.”

2nd step: Navigate to the “Date & Time” tab and tap the lock icon in the lower left corner of the page.

You’ll be prompted to enter your Mac password or authenticate through Touch ID to change your device’s date and time settings.

Step 3: Make sure the “Set date and time automatically” checkbox is checked.

5. Check the status of the FaceTime server

Sometimes Apple shuts down the FaceTime server (only temporarily, however) to fix critical bugs that affect app performance or expose users to security risks. In this case, there is nothing you can do other than wait for the servers to come back online. However, you can check the status of the FaceTime server by visiting the Apple System Status page. If the status circle next to FaceTime is green, it means its servers are up and running.

6. Sign out of Apple ID

You may need to disconnect your Apple ID account from your Mac if the problem persists at this point.

Step 1: Launch FaceTime, tap FaceTime in the app menu, and select Preferences.

2nd step: Tap the Sign Out button to the right of your Apple ID.

Close FaceTime and follow the same steps to reconnect to your account.

7. Update macOS

As mentioned before, the bugs ruin some features and performance of FaceTime on Mac. Apple addresses this issue with updates to the operating system. If FaceTime calls still don’t arrive on your Mac despite all of the above, make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Launch System Preferences> Software Update and download any updates available on the page.

Receive ringtone from FaceTime

We know that not everyone likes to turn off their Mac, but a simple restart of the device can fix this. If you haven’t turned off your Mac in a while and you’re not getting FaceTime calls, we recommend restarting this baby. Remember to close all active applications manually so that you do not lose any unsaved documents. Let us know which one worked the magic for you.