The Latest iPhone Update Breaks Down FaceTime Calls to Older Devices

Apple rolled out iOS 13.4 earlier this week with several new features, but it looks like the new update also includes a bug that comes at the worst possible time.

Users are now complaining that making a FaceTime audio or video call to an iPhone or iPad running iOS 9.3.5 or 9.3.6 no longer works, with some saying the call itself gets stuck or receives no answer.

With the entire world staying home due to the coronavirus outbreak, services like FaceTime have obviously recorded a spike in usage, especially as everyone is trying to stay in touch with friends and family using video calling.

iOS 9.3.5 and 9.3.6 are the last supported iOS versions for older devices like iPhone 4S, which are mostly used by older people who just stick to them because of usability reasons.

Apple tight-lipped on the bug

So not being able to make FaceTime calls to these devices is definitely a major inconvenient, as some Twitter users have been complaining lately.

“Hey Apple, since iOS 13.4 i can‘t call an iOS 9 Device over Facetime. That‘s a real Problem at these Days because it‘s the only way for me and my 2 childs to see our 90yrs. young Mother/Grandmother,” Twitter user Jonny Castaway explains in a tweet.

Apple has remained completely tight-lipped on this issue, so at this point it’s pretty difficult to tell if this is just a bug or how things are supposed to be in the first place. Some believe Apple introduced this behavior on purpose in order to convince users to upgrade to newer devices, but this is rather unlikely, especially given the pandemic that’s keeping people at home and increases the usage of video calling apps.

The same behavior has also been reported in macOS 10.15.4, which also can’t be used for FaceTime calls to older iOS versions.

We have reached out to Apple for comments on this problem and will update the article when and if an answer is offered.