Apple to Fix Major FaceTime Bug That Lets People Covertly Hear Your Audio and See Your Video 'Later This Week' [Updated] - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple to Fix Major FaceTime Bug That Lets People Covertly Hear Your Audio and See Your Video 'Later This Week' [Updated]

Apple is planning to address a major FaceTime bug that allows anyone who FaceTimes you see the audio and video from your iPhone or iPad even if you don't answer the call.

In a statement made to Axios, Apple said it was aware of the issue and has identified a fix that will be "released in a software update later this week."

facetimebug1
It's not clear when "later this week" is, but Apple will presumably address the bug as quickly as possible because it us a huge privacy violation. While it was originally thought that it only allowed someone who called to hear your ‌FaceTime‌ audio, pressing the power button on a device also allows video to be seen.

These ‌FaceTime‌ calls can be made covertly and are super easy to initiate, requiring only a few steps as outlined in our original post on the subject.

All you need to do is initiate a ‌FaceTime‌ call and add your own number to it while it's ringing, forcing a connection with another person. There is no way to stop someone from using ‌FaceTime‌ this way other than disabling FaceTime on your devices.

Update: Apple appears to have temporarily addressed the issue by disabling Group ‌FaceTime‌ calls server side. On Apple's System Status page, Group ‌FaceTime‌ is now listed as unavailable.

Popular Stories

iphone duo facetime

iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos

Wednesday October 21, 2026 11:36 am PDT by
The iPhone Duo's inner screen has an under-display front camera that's largely hidden from view. It's the first time we've seen an under-display camera on an iPhone, and it turns out there's a reason Apple hasn't used the technology before. Apple said the camera offers 1080p video recording, but didn't mention photo quality. Gizmodo said it's a 4-megapixel camera and described the photos as...
iphone duo facetime

Why Can't iPhone Duo Users Make Eye Contact on FaceTime?

Monday October 26, 2026 3:49 pm PDT by
FaceTime's Eye Contact setting is missing on the iPhone Duo, MacRumors can confirm. The setting was first flagged as absent by MacRumors forum member TwoBytes, who noticed their eyes looking "a little off" during a call. Introduced in iOS 14, Eye Contact uses machine learning to subtly adjust your eyes during a video call to make it seem like you're looking into the camera lens, even though ...
iOS 27 and FaceTime Feature

iOS 27.2 Expands Dual Capture to Group FaceTime

Monday October 26, 2026 12:46 pm PDT by
The iOS 27.2 update Apple released today allows the FaceTime Dual Capture feature to be used in Group FaceTime calls. Dual Capture is a feature that lets you stream FaceTime video content from the front and rear cameras at the same time. On a compatible device running iOS 27, flipping the camera while on a FaceTime call automatically turns on Dual Capture. Dual Capture is available on...

Top Rated Comments

101 months ago
Hm. Craig or Tim? Will any Apple exec take the blame this time?
Or, you seem to be missing the fact that Apple is acknowledging the glitch and is readily making adjustments to correct it. It’s not always about placing blame, it’s about acknowledging the glitch, moving forward to a resolution and protecting the consumer as quickly as possible to fix the issue.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
101 months ago
This needs to be thoroughly investigated, why are you able to have access to someone's mic/camera without them even answering to begin with? I'm really concerned about how long this bug has been out but not widely known or reported on. This is easily the worst bug I've ever seen in 12 years of using Apple products and I would not be surprised if they're sued for this.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mi7chy Avatar
101 months ago
Hm. Craig or Tim? Will any Apple exec take the blame this time?
They'll point finger at Scott Forstall again.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
101 months ago
Hm, any Apple exec available on Facetime? A peek into the war room might be fun right now.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
101 months ago
Or, you seem to be missing the fact that Apple is acknowledging the glitch and is readily making adjustments to correct it. It’s not always about placing blame, it’s about acknowledging the glitch, moving forward to a resolution and protecting the consumer as quickly as possible to fix the issue.
Nah, that’s just a communications technique to look active after not being active enough in the first place.

Don’t let the spokesman distract you from looking at the person responsible.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
101 months ago
Well until then let’s have some fun.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
3 hours ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
3 hours ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
3 hours ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
4 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
6 hours ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
12 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
13 hours ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
20 hours ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
21 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
21 hours ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
21 hours ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
22 hours ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
1 day ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
1 day ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
1 day ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
1 day ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
1 day ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
1 day ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
1 day ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
1 day ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
1 day ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
1 day ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
1 day ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
1 day ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
1 day ago
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
2 days ago
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
2 days ago
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors