Does FaceTime Still Work on iPhone 4?

Owners of iPhone 4 and 4S models may have been affected by an alleged scheme by Apple to intentionally break FaceTime on older iPhone models in order to avoid paying large financial fees related to the old FaceTime technology.

Facetime is an iPhone app allowing users to make video calls to other iPhone users. The app is only available for use on Apple devices, and is included with the pre-set apps on iPhones.

The first version of FaceTime was included in the iPhone 4. However, this original version allegedly used patented technology that was not owned by Apple. After being forced to pay fees for the use of this technology, Apple reconfigured its FaceTime app and removed the patented technology in iOS 7.

The updated FaceTime app was released on Sept. 13, 2013. However, many iPhone 4 and 4S users did not update their phones to the new iOS due to bugs and glitches that were reported with the use of new software in older models. According to Fortune magazine, complaints from these users indicate that the FaceTime app no longer works on these models.

Legal Issues and Lawsuits

According to a class action lawsuit filed in California, the giant tech company may have intentionally broken the FaceTime app on iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models. The Facetime class action lawsuit claims that on April 16, 2014, Apple disabled FaceTime on older models of iPhone to avoid paying fees associated with the FaceTime app. Some of the technology in the iPhone 4 and 4S FaceTime app allegedly infringed on patents held by another company. In order to avoid paying fines and fees for continuing to allow consumers to use the app, Apple may have broken the app on those devices.

The class action lawsuit against Apple claims that the company broke the FaceTime app used by iPhone 4 and 4S models and told customers that the only way to use FaceTime on those models was to download iOS 7. Consumers claim that this ultimatum forced them to choose between losing FaceTime, or downloading software that would cause their phones to suffer crashes and performance issues. Many consumers claim that downloading iOS 7 to older devices including the iPhone 4 and 4S causes their devices to lose value and in some cases become unusable due to sluggishness, freezing, and other issues.

In July 2017, Apple attempted to have the FaceTime class action lawsuit dismissed, but, according to Engadget, a California federal judge agreed that the alleged actions taken by Apple violated the law and caused actual harm to owners of the 4 and 4S. Owners of iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models may be able to join the class action lawsuit if their FaceTime app stopped working on or after April 16, 2014. Victims who wish to join the lawsuit must still be in possession of the phone and be able to prove that their FaceTime app has been nonfunctional. Victims may be eligible to receive financial compensation and reimbursement for their devices.

Join a Free iPhone FaceTime Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you own an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S on which FaceTime stopped working on or after April 16, 2014, and you still have the phone in your possession, you may qualify to join this FaceTime class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.