My FaceTime calls keep dropping randomly, anyone else experiencing this or know a fix?

kal102 wrote:

I have a VPN app but I’ve never used it since getting the 17. I just deleted it hopefully that helps 🙏

Let us know how it goes without the VPN installed. The VPN is such a common problem with internet connectivity that even Apple has addressed it in a Support Article. The one thing that I can add is not using it makes no difference, just having it installed can still cause connectivity issues and alters network connections.

If your device has network connectivity issues, check for VPN and other third-party security software - Apple Support

That is also the reason why it was the very first suggestion I made to remove one if installed and also by MrHoffman, without any confirmation that you had one.

Any add-on VPN apps or security apps? If so, remove all such apps — not just disable, but remove — and test again.

Do the calls also drop on other Wi-Fi networks, or just on networks in your own immediate area?

I have the 17e on iOS 26.6 and have no problem with FaceTime calls. One way to rule out a Wifi connection is to test with Cellular Data. If you are using a VPN, that should be removed, not just turned off to test.

Viewing the bars on your WiFi connection just measures signal strength to your router. If you are connected using the 2.4Ghz frequency from your router, you should try creating a 5Ghz only WiFi network and connect to that. The 2.4Ghz band suffers from band overlap and interference that won't be indicated in a Signal Strength meter. The 2.4Ghz band is only there for backwards device compatibility with older devices and your iPhone is fully capable of using the 5Ghz band.

I have a VPN app but I’ve never used it since getting the 17. I just deleted it hopefully that helps 🙏

As far as the wifi thing, I’ve had it happen both while on my home wifi and just using data. I haven’t really used FaceTime anywhere but home so idk about other networks.

I also deal with this issue regularly. I did all troubleshooting, and got a new iPhone 17 because I thought something was wrong with it. Guess what..? My new iPhone 17 to replace my new one does the same thing. I should’ve just stayed with my iPhone 13. But too bad I can’t downgrade. So it seems I’m just stuck with this issue until I upgrade or downgrade because it’s impacting the whole line.

It happens both on my wifi and data, I don’t know if it’s an internet issue because the call always drops whenever I interact with something outside the call itself, it never drops whenever I’m just sitting in the call or even if I’m switching from wifi to data or anything like that.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

…The VPN is such a common problem with internet connectivity ….

Yep. “Pinky promise” VPNs: over-hyped add-on apps badly solving a problem that hasn’t existed for a decade or so, and badly solving it in a way perfect for the collection and re-sale of personally-identified metadata.

An update to this: I deleted the VPN app off my phone over a month ago and also ended up moving to a completely different town with completely different internet and this still happens sometimes. Now the call will just drop randomly still, but even when I have my phone just sitting there and I’m not even doing anything on it. Still not sure what’s up but would love if anyone could think of any other fixes? 🫠

Mine does this too. My FaceTime drops like 3-10 minutes apart. Sometimes I’m not even switching apps. Yesterday, I’ve FaceTime’d the same person 17 times within 30 mins.

I don’t have a VPN app nor is the VPN setting on. I hope Apple fixes this soon.

It just started like a month or two ago. I also have the pro max 17.

Any other tips? I’ve tried to reset the network setting and restart my phone as well.

I got the new iPhone 18 pro a couple weeks ago now and I have the iPhone 15 pro previously with no Facetime issues. Ever since taking the iPhone 18 out of the box it randomly drops Facetime calls. I have no VPN, wifi connection and full 5G service. It happens randomly, sometimes while I am trying to open another app or use the phone for another task while on Facetime and sometimes while I am not even touching the phone. I do not get any “call failed” screen or “bad connection” it simply just quietly hangs up. I am beyond frustrated. Did anyone find a solution for this?

kal102 wrote:

An update to this: I deleted the VPN app off my phone over a month ago and also ended up moving to a completely different town with completely different internet and this still happens sometimes.

VPNs don’t help with security, but they are perfectly suited for collecting your personally-identified network activities.

As for the IP not being where you think you are, that’s both a cost savings for the ISP and a privacy advantage for you (accurate locations are useful to stalkers, crooks, thieves, and worse, and the fallout from geolocation databases being less than completely accurate.

Now the call will just drop randomly still, but even when I have my phone just sitting there and I’m not even doing anything on it. Still not sure what’s up but would love if anyone could think of any other fixes? 🫠

Which likely means the network connection is still dropping, or something wrong with FaceTime or iOS, or a problem with the iPhone itself.

Wi-Fi, or cellular? Both are subject to dropouts and interference, and drops can be with no clear trigger.

For some reason as of the past few weeks it’s gotten so much worse. Every 30 minutes to an hour the facetime call just drops no matter what I do. I’m starting to get tired of this and I’ve noticed more people talking about it happening to them too. I feel like I’m going nuts!

i just got the iphone 17 and it’s been doing this to me nonstop. sometimes it’ll go gray and loading with bad connection, then fail. other times it just goes straight to hanging up. it happens on wifi and data. i don’t know what to do anymore

Me too. Anybody find a work around?

This happens a lot to me too. I use to think it had to do with my camera button on the side, but the call will randomly drop if I have my phone set up and I’m not even touching it.

Me too! 😭 Still haven’t found a solution

Update: this problem has continued to just get worse. It hangs up FaceTime more frequently. Beyond frustrated with this.