Level 1 (98 points)

iPhone SE (3rd gen) cannot make calls from MacBook Air; camera jitters

iPhone SE(3rd gen, latest 27.0.1 iOS) will not send phone calls out originated from my MacBook Air(M1). This did not start with recent iOS upgrade, started months ago. The error message given is that both the device and the Mac must both be on the same WIFI system, but: THEY ARE. Check many times, turned WIFI off and on.

Nothing seems to work, can't seem to find any setting that seems likely to cause such a problem.

I assume the message is bogus and just something thrown out by the "system".

I CAN take incoming calls on the Mac relayed from my phone; not sure if it comes directly from the phone or is interfacing with the WIFI network though.

I have tried what seems endless times to ferret this out and have given up. THAT is why I am finally asking the community! Hopefully, some real PRO will "know"! thanks in advance.

OH yeah, also the iPhone's camera is jittery, for over a year. Restarting does nothing. I even tried the Apple fix of wiping it and re-installing the entire thing from backup. . . still jitters BUT on a random basis. Sometimes. . . it works fine!??

Posted on Oct 24, 2026 8:05 AM

3 replies

tillu_code

Level 4 (2,112 points)

Nov 4, 2026 4:28 PM in response to Brian Schreiber

Incoming calls already working means the Mac and iPhone are linked. For calls you start on the Mac, on the iPhone open Settings, then Phone, then Calls on Other Devices, and allow the Mac. On the Mac, open FaceTime settings and turn on Calls from iPhone.

Keep the iPhone unlocked and nearby, on the same Wi-Fi, with Low Data Mode off. If it still fails, sign out of FaceTime on both and sign back in.

tillu_code

Level 4 (2,112 points)

Nov 4, 2026 8:43 PM in response to Brian Schreiber

Sorry that didn't help. A few more things: sign out of iCloud and back in on both the Mac and iPhone, then toggle Calls on Other Devices off and on. Forget the Wi-Fi and rejoin the same network on both, and update both to the latest. Then try again with both unlocked. If it still fails, try a call from the FaceTime app on the Mac versus the Phone app and see if there's a difference. Does FaceTime audio work between them?

Brian Schreiber Author

Level 1 (98 points)

Nov 4, 2026 5:52 PM in response to tillu_code

yep, all those settings were as you suggest. Tried again; no joy. Still nothing, same stupid error saying the two need to be on the same network. What a pain.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256382137