FaceTime Bug That Lets People Spy on Others Demoed in Video [Updated]
There's a major issue affecting FaceTime right now, which all MacRumors readers should be aware of. A bug with Group FaceTime can let someone force a FaceTime call with you, giving them access to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac's video and audio even when you don't accept the FaceTime call.
In the video below, we demonstrate how the bug works. We do not condone MacRumors readers invading peoples' privacy, and these video is meant to make it clear how simple it is to exploit this bug to emphasize its seriousness.
As outlined in our
original post on the issue, this FaceTime bug is very easy to exploit. All someone needs to do is call you and then add their own number to the FaceTime call to force a connection with you.
From there, they can hear your audio, even though on your end, it looks like the call wasn't accepted yet. If you hit the power button to make the call go away, it gives the person on the other end access to your camera. This bug can be initiated on an iPhone and it affects iOS and macOS devices running current software, including iOS 12.2.
This is a huge privacy issue and while Apple says a fix is coming "later this week," iPhone and Mac users concerned about spying should turn off FaceTime all together. Enabling Do Not Disturb also appears to work as a preventative measure.
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 listed as unavailable.
Popular Stories
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026:
The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras
Under-screen Face ID...
Apple plans to upgrade the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iMac, and MacBook Air with OLED displays between 2026 and 2028, according to DigiTimes.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the iPad mini and MacBook Pro will receive an OLED display as early as this year, but he does not expect the MacBook Air to adopt the technology until 2028 at the earliest.
A new iPad Air is...
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future.
To set up the...
iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update.
The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense...
MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States.
A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At...
