FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Sharing an Apple ID between two iPhones may seem convenient, but when FaceTime stops working, the cause is often buried in the settings.
QUESTION:
My wife and I both have Apple iPhones; hers is a 14, and mine is a 16 Pro. We also share the same, identical Apple ID credentials. We can obviously call each other, but FaceTime does not work as “call failed” always pops up. I assume this happens because we share the same Apple ID. Is there a way around this without changing one of our Apple ID’s?
– Kelly S.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
ANSWER:
Until I read your question, Kelly, it had never crossed my mind to use the same Apple ID on multiple devices.
In fact, my initial thought was, “That won’t work,” even though you clearly said that’s what you’re doing. I’ve never researched how Apple credentials work or given the matter much thought. My devices are set up, and they just work.
Then it crossed my mind that I do something remarkably similar by using the same Apple ID on both my iPhone and my iPad. That made me realize I should dig a little deeper before answering your question.
As it turns out, using the same Apple ID on two iPhones is supported and even has benefits. By using a single ID, all iCloud data for both devices is automatically accessible, and messages sync across both phones.
But this also brings some risks.
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The Apple ID is meant to identify an individual, not multiple people. By sharing one ID across devices, you might get duplicate messages, calls, contacts, notes, and even photos.
You’re also sharing one 5GB iCloud storage pool instead of each having your own 5GB.
Still, FaceTime should work. You didn’t say whether both devices can FaceTime others. That’s important because if FaceTime is disabled in Settings, it could cause the “Call Failed” issue.
So start by testing FaceTime with other people. If both phones ring when someone tries to FaceTime you, it means both are using the same credentials, so when one tries to FaceTime the other, it’s basically calling itself. That’s why it fails. This doesn’t happen with regular calls since each phone has a separate number.
If FaceTime works with other people but fails between your phones, check how you’re making the call — via contact, phone number, or email address. Contacts may not help if everything’s shared. Try using the email address associated with the device instead.
There are other troubleshooting tips out there — too many to list here. You can find more at TinyURL.com/IGTM-0932 and click “Show more” under the AI Overview section.
If you decide to stop sharing the Apple ID, good news — they’re free and easy to set up. That would fix your FaceTime problem and double your iCloud storage. Just search “How to get a new Apple ID” to begin. You’ll need a verifiable email address, but Gmail can provide one for free.
To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit my website at ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!)
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges.
