AirPods are a hassle-free way to listen to music or podcasts without tripping over cables.
With supreme audio quality, AirPods are convenient to use. However, they are not without flaws.
For instance, some users report issues with using AirPods with FaceTime. They say that their AirPods don’t work with FaceTime occasionally. If you are also one of them, this article is for you.
Why my AirPods don’t work with FaceTime, and how to fix it?
While Apple’s FaceTime is a great video chat app, a few things could prevent your AirPods from connecting. Let’s discover how you can resolve the issue:
- Bluetooth connectivity
If your AirPods are not properly connected to your device via Bluetooth, they will not be able to work with FaceTime. Check the AirPods’ Bluetooth connection and pairing with your device.
There are a few reasons why Bluetooth may not work properly. A typical scenario where this could become an issue is if you have numerous identical devices linked to your device over Bluetooth.
If someone else in your home also has their AirPods synced and turned on, FaceTime may transmit the audio to their headphones instead of yours. This would generally occur regardless of whether or not you were using FaceTime.
Still, there is a chance that you attempted to use FaceTime simultaneously with this interruption. Disconnecting the AirPods from your device using the Bluetooth settings menu should resolve the issue.
Search for the other pair of AirPods and delete them from the Bluetooth list. Verify that FaceTime is functional using only your AirPods by disconnecting any other wireless audio devices from your device.
- AirPods Volume
There is the possibility that the AirPods’ volume could be too low or muted, preventing any audible output from the device. If you can’t hear the other person on a call while using AirPods, you may need to adjust the volume on your AirPods. To adjust the volume of your AirPods, tap either of the volume keys on your iPhone.
A volume indication for the AirPods should appear in the top left corner of the screen. Raise the AirPods’ volume by tapping the device’s volume-up button. Then, see if you can make and receive phone calls.
- Outdated software
Old iOS and Mac OS versions or the mobile version of FaceTime may compromise the compatibility of the AirPods.
There are typically two methods for updating an app. One option is to have your device automatically check for and download app updates. The other is to check for and manually install updates.
Head to the Settings app to access the App Store on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod. If the option for App Updates is disabled, tapping it will activate it.
Second, you can open App Store and press the profile symbol to download app updates manually. Select the tab labeled “Pending Updates” and scroll down. Select the app (FaceTime in this case) and click “Update” to install the new version.
You may also update it manually by visiting its App Store page and tapping the Update button.
To access the Google Play Store menu on an Android device, open the app by pressing the three vertical dots. Next, go to your device’s Settings and the Auto-update Apps option. A menu of available choices will show in a pop-up window.
In most cases, sending over Wi-Fi exclusively is preferable because sending over any other network could result in wasted data. Going into the Google Play Store and tapping the profile symbol in the top right will manually download the app.
Then, select FaceTime from the list, tap the Update button, and lastly, tap Manage applications & device. To update your apps at once, click Update All from the menu or go to Google Play and type in the app’s name.
- FaceTime settings
Verify that the AirPods are configured as the device’s default input and output for audio in the FaceTime settings. To do this, open FaceTime’s settings and click the “Audio/Video” tab.
FaceTime is likely prioritizing using a Bluetooth audio device and the possibility of interference from another Bluetooth device that is also connected and interfering.
Using the preceding approach, a more straightforward (though potentially problematic) solution is to detach Bluetooth devices from your device. However, the settings can also be modified in FaceTime.
Another problem arises when you attempt to use the AirPods’ microphone on your phone and find that FaceTime has switched to using the phone’s own microphone. Start a call with someone and then seek a panel containing mute, audio, and speaker options to switch to AirPods.
To play music through your AirPods, go to the audio menu and click AirPods. It can be hidden in your device’s settings if you’re using Android and don’t see this.
- Hardware issues
Possible causes of the problem could be related to the hardware of your AirPods or your device. You can reset your AirPods or get in touch with Apple support if you’ve already tried the solutions above and are still having issues.
- Factory reset
You can reset AirPods by placing them in the charging case for a short period and then removing them again. This should be sufficient for many people to get their AirPods to pair with FaceTime and function normally.
If the charging case isn’t recognizing your AirPods, the case itself may be dead, or dust or debris may prevent the AirPods from pairing.
- Restarting the FaceTime app
If your app is acting up, you may need to restart it. Thankfully, this is a quick and painless procedure, taking only a few seconds to finish.
An iOS device user can accomplish this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing in the screen’s center.
Just swipe right or left until you reach FaceTime, and then swipe up on the preview to dismiss it. If you’re using an Android device, the procedure is very identical.
If you’re using an Android device, swipe up and hold for a moment before releasing. The app preview can be dismissed by swiping up on it.
Some Android devices may behave differently in this regard. For instance, on the Google Pixel 4a, you may access your app drawer without swiping left or right by clicking the square symbol in the bottom right corner.
- Ear Detection
The ear detection feature of AirPods should not interfere with the ability to use them with the FaceTime app. The ear detection feature uses sensors in the AirPods to detect when they are in your ears, and it allows the audio to play automatically or pause based on whether the AirPods are being worn. This feature is separate from the pairing process, which connects the AirPods to a device (such as an iPhone) via Bluetooth.
However, you can try turning it off if the issue of pairing AirPods with the FaceTime app doesn’t resolve. The option is located on your Airpods right above the microphone controls. This function is enabled by default, but you can disable it if it disrupts your voice or video calls.
Why can’t people hear me on FaceTime when I’m using my AirPods?
When using AirPods for FaceTime, some users have complained that their call partners can’t hear them.
They have concluded that not using them is their only option.
Your AirPods probably aren’t letting you use FaceTime because the internal microphones are malfunctioning.
Pair them through Bluetooth and adjust the microphone’s placement to either the left or right side. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your AirPods.
Why aren’t my AirPods working at all?
Whether it’s FaceTime or another app, you may do a few things if your AirPods aren’t working properly.
Restarting the smartphone is one option, but you should also check to ensure the AirPods are properly connected. Testing your AirPods with different software or hardware will help you determine whether the issue is with FaceTime or the headphones themselves.
This narrows down the potential concerns if they work on something other than FaceTime. You should also try other wired and wireless audio devices to see if they have issues with FaceTime.
However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, it may be time to contact Apple support, as there may be a hardware issue with your AirPods. If your AirPods break, Apple may repair them at no cost to you throughout the warranty period.
However, Apple may charge you a price to repair or replace your AirPods if you do not have a warranty, even if a manufacturing flaw causes the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your AirPods don’t work with FaceTime, there are a few possible causes and solutions to try.
These include checking the Bluetooth connection, adjusting the volume on the AirPods, updating the software on your device and the FaceTime app, and verifying that the correct audio settings are selected in the FaceTime app.
If you continue to have problems after trying these steps, you may want to try restarting your device or seek further assistance from Apple support.
