Apple Says Group FaceTime Feature Not Coming to iOS 12 This Year

Apple delays Group Face Time feature for video calls in iOS 12.

Apple introduced Group Face Time feature at WWDC 2018.

(Photo: YouTube/Apple)

Apple has delayed its "Group FaceTime" feature that will allow up to 32 people to simultaneously participate in video calls on iOS devices.

According to a report in 9to5Mac, “Group FaceTime has been removed from the initial release of iOS 12 and will ship in a future software update later this fall".

The feature was announced to take on similar services like Google Hangouts and the Microsoft-owned Skype. iOS 12 is designed to make everyday tasks on iPhone and iPad faster and more responsive.

"Group FaceTime for iPhone, iPad, and Mac appears to be delayed and won't be ready in time for iOS 12 and macOS Mojave launch in September," the report added.

We’re very excited about the new communications features we’re bringing to iPhone and iPad with Memoji, a more personal form of Animoji, fun camera effects and Group FaceTime

Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering

Apple described the Group FaceTime feature in June during the company's annual Worldwide Developers' Conference in the US. With Group FaceTime, it was meant to make chatting with multiple people easier. Participants can be added at any time, join later if the conversation is still active, and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac. As many as 32 people can video chat at the same time.