iOS 12 Group FaceTime Hardware Requirements

Group FaceTime in iOS 12 allows up to 32 participants to chat simultaneously, but hosting or participating with live video requires specific Apple hardware. While iOS 12 runs on older devices dating back to the iPhone 5s, Apple limited full video and hosting capabilities to devices equipped with an A9 chip or newer due to processing power constraints. Older supported models can only participate via audio.

Devices That Can Host and Join with Video

To host a Group FaceTime call or view other callers' video tiles on iOS 12, your device must have an Apple A9 processor or later. The compatible hardware includes:

• iPhone: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.
• iPad Pro: All iPad Pro models (9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, 11-inch, and 12.9-inch).
• iPad Air: iPad Air 2 or later.
• iPad mini: iPad mini 4 or later.
• iPad: iPad (5th generation) or later.

Audio-Only Devices (Cannot Host Video)

Devices that run iOS 12 but lack the processing capability to host or receive video can only join Group FaceTime calls as audio-only participants. These devices include:

• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPad Air (1st generation)
• iPad mini 2
• iPad mini 3
• iPod touch (6th generation)

Software Requirement

In addition to hardware, all devices must be updated to at least iOS 12.1.4. While Group FaceTime was originally introduced in iOS 12.1, Apple temporarily disabled the feature and re-enabled it securely in the 12.1.4 update.