Facetime missing from iPad 2 - does anyone know how to reinstate?

[Samdottore]

I'm fairly sure that I recall seeing FaceTime on my ipad 2 16Gb WiFi, when I first got it back in September 11, but I cannot find it now, anywhere!

Isn't Facetime a pre-installed app, and if so, shouldn't it be undeletable? If I have deleted Facetime, it was by mistake, and certainly unintentional (which probably means the same).

Even so, since I no longer appear to have it, does anyone know of a way to re-acquire it and install it? I now want it to communicate with my daughter (with the same model iPad, though more recent), and we've found that video on Skype doesn't appear to work between iPads as it should - I don't know why.

I have booked a 'Genius Bar' session with Apple in Brighton for tomorrow (Saturday 14/1) to try to sort this, but if anyone on the forum knows what to do, this may be very helpful.

Thanks very much

Sam

 

[giradman]

Hi Sam - Facetime indeed is a 'native' app on the iPad and cannot be deleted in the usual manner!

First, make sure that you have not moved the app into a folder or onto another page on your home screen?

Second, 'force close' Facetime in the multi-taskbar, i.e. double tap the home button to open the bar at the bottom of the iPad, then find Facetime (if present) - tap & hold until the app starts to jiggle; press the minus sign; return to the home screen to see if the program's icon has returned?

Finally, if none of the above applies, 'Restart' and if not successful 'Reset' the iPad - directions HERE if unfamiliar w/ these maneuvers.

In none of these suggestions helps, then please post back - good luck!

 

[Samdottore]

Hi giradman,
I have searched through all folders and pages again and again, thinking "It's got to be here somewhere!", but it really has vanished.

I will try your suggestion of looking via the multi-taskbar, although the last time I tried this (for another purpose), whenever I double-pressed the home button all it did was go to the Search screen - I'll try again. I read elsewhere on this forum about the 'four-finger swipe' upwards to achieve the same purpose. Is this genuine, do you know?

I don't think I have reset/restarted the device recently; maybe that will help. All things to try when I get home tonight.

I'll check here again before going to see my friendly Apple mechanic tomorrow.

Thanks, Sam

 

[MoonlitSonata]

Hi giradman,
I have searched through all folders and pages again and again, thinking "It's got to be here somewhere!", but it really has vanished.

I will try your suggestion of looking via the multi-taskbar, although the last time I tried this (for another purpose), whenever I double-pressed the home button all it did was go to the Search screen - I'll try again. I read elsewhere on this forum about the 'four-finger swipe' upwards to achieve the same purpose. Is this genuine, do you know?

I don't think I have reset/restarted the device recently; maybe that will help. All things to try when I get home tonight.

I'll check here again before going to see my friendly Apple mechanic tomorrow.

Thanks, Sam

Multi touch gestures are available if you are on iOS 5

 

[giradman]

Multi touch gestures are available if you are on iOS 5

As above, you need the new iOS on your iPad + the 'Multitasking Gestures' turned ON in your General Settings menu; just place 4 or 5 fingers on the screen and swipe upward, the multi-taskbar should then open.

Also, re-check the 'double tap' of the home button - should open the bar, so a 'Reset' might even correct that issue - not sure? Good luck!

 

[Mickey330]

Facetime is not an installable or stand-alone app on the iPad2. It is accessible through your Contacts. Go into your Contacts app and select someone. When their contact info appears, scroll down to the bottom. You'll see four blocks, one of which is Facetime. Press the Facetime button and you'll be offered the choice of which contact point to use (essentially, all the contacts you've loaded for that person: mail, phone, etc.). If they have a Facetime account, it will go through.

Hope this helps.

Marilyn

 

[Samdottore]

Good news! Problem solved!
Facetime wasn't running in background - have mastered the four-finger swipe and the double-tap - but further searching in Settings turned up that at some point in time - I must have done it but forgotten - Facetime had been turned off in 'Restrictions', which has the unforeseen result of hiding the Facetime icon from the 'Desktop' (or whatever it's called in the iPad world).
Turning it on again in 'Restrictions' made the icon reappear. Now all I've got to do is get past the Contacts protocols to call my daughter.
Although I discovered the solution myself in the end, I'd like to thank all correspondents with their kind contributions. With your help I've learned quite alot today!

 

[giradman]

Sam - thanks for the update and glad you resolved the problem! I've never even entered the 'Restrictions' option in settings, so will certainly think about the effects on the iPad if activated for the next post on similar problems! Dave