The Apple Watch’s Walkie-Talkie feature enables two-way communication without the need to make a phone call. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the feature to not work properly. In the meantime, here are some troubleshooting steps to take if the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch is not working. First, press the Digital Crown until Walkie-Talkie appears; then, toggle its status to “on.” You can also try restarting your iPhone and watch. However, there are other possible solutions if this doesn’t work. We will cover these solutions in the course of this article.
In addition, we will cover possible solutions to any problems you may be experiencing while using the Walkie-Talkie app.
Walkie-Talkies Requirements
To use Walkie-Talkie, you must meet Apple’s minimum requirements. The feature is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 1 or later and requires a minimum software version of watchOS 5.3. You’ll also need an iPhone 5S or later with iOS 12.4 or higher.
FaceTime must also be enabled on your device. To turn on FaceTime, go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle the feature on.
Your iPhone must be within range of your GPS-only Apple Watch to use Walkie-Talkie. This range is approximately 35 feet (10 meters). If you have a GPS+Cellular model, the feature should function even when you are out of range (assuming you have reception).
Only authorized contacts can use Walkie Talkie. Start the app and select “Add Friends.” Select a contact to send an invite to. They will appear in the Walkie-Talkie app once they accept your request, and you can tap on them to initiate a chat.
What Should You Do If Your Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie Isn’t Working?
#1. Check Your Internet Connection
The range of the Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie is unlimited, but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular to use it.
#2. Check that Walkie-Talkie is turned on in your Apple Watch
If you’re having trouble connecting with others, make sure your Walkie-Talkie app is turned on and that you’re available to chat on the app. Swipe up on your Watch Face to open the Control Center, then tap the Walkie-Talkie icon to enable it. (When enabled, the icon is yellow; when disabled, it is gray.)
#3. Restart All of Your Devices.
When Walkie-Talkie isn’t working on your Apple Watch, it could be due to a minor software glitch. As a result, you should try restarting your Apple Watch. Because your Walkie-Talkie app is connected to your iPhone, you should also restart your iPhone.
#4. Verify That FaceTime Is On And That You Are Signed In
Many people are unaware that FaceTime is required to use the Walkie-Talkie app. While this feature is usually activated when you first set up your iPhone, you may have overlooked it or accidentally turned it off. If Walkie-Talkie on Apple Watch isn’t working, check to see if FaceTime is enabled on your iPhone:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Scroll down to FaceTime.
- If it isn’t already turned on, tap the toggle to enable FaceTime. (When enabled, the toggle turns green.)
- If you have the toggle turned on but are not signed in, tap FaceTime requires your Apple ID. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID.
- Check that your phone number and any emails associated with your Apple ID are checked with a blue checkmark.
- To ensure that it is working properly, make a FaceTime call.
#5. Uninstall and Reinstall the Walkie-Talkie App
If you can’t find the Walkie-Talkie app on your Watch, you may have deleted it by accident. Even if you can find it, deleting and reinstalling the app is a great way to fix minor issues like Walkie-Talkie saying it is not available. To begin, delete the app from your Apple Watch by long pressing the app icon on the Apple Watch Home Screen until it begins to jiggle and then tapping the X to delete. Then, to reinstall the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch, follow the steps below.
- To access your Home Screen on your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown.
- Select the App Store.
- Enter Walkie-Talkie in the Search field.
- To reinstall the Walkie-Talkie app, tap the cloud icon next to it.
After reinstalling the app, test it to see if the problem has been resolved. Otherwise, proceed to the solutions below.
#6. Uninstall and Reinstall FaceTime on your iPhone
Reinstalling the FaceTime app on your iPhone may also help to resolve issues such as not receiving Walkie-Talkie notifications. Because the Walkie-Talkie app communicates via FaceTime, a functional FaceTime app is required. When you delete the FaceTime app, your Walkie-Talkie app will most likely disappear from your Apple Watch.
But don’t fret because the Walkie-Talkie app will reappear on your Apple Watch when you reinstall FaceTime.
- Tap and hold the FaceTime app icon on your iPhone.
- Select Delete App. If you delete an app from your Home Screen, you may receive a message asking whether you want to delete the app or simply remove it from the Home Screen. In that case, make sure you also select Delete App.
- Launch the App Store.
- Select the Search icon.
- To reinstall FaceTime, search for it and tap the cloud icon next to it.
#7. Contacts That Aren’t Working Properly Should Be Removed and Replaced.
You don’t want random contacts screeching on your wrist. That is why Apple instituted the invitation process. However, issues may arise during this procedure.
If your issues are restricted to a single contact, try removing them from your contact list and re-adding them.
To do so, launch the Walkie-Talkie app and look for the desired contact. To remove them from your contacts list, swipe left on them and tap the “X” button.
You must now add them again using the “Add Friends” button, and the contact must accept your invitation.
Walkie Talkie Not Appearing On Apple Watch?
There could be two reasons why the Walkie-Talkie app isn’t available in watchOS:
#1. Incompatibility of the Watch and/or iPhone:
The minimum requirements are an Apple Watch Series 1 running watchOS 5.3 or later and a paired iPhone running iOS 12.4 or later! (Image courtesy of Apple)
Fact: The original Apple Watch models (the first to be released) aren’t the only ones that don’t support this feature!
#2. The FaceTime app is not installed on the iPhone
FaceTime is required for Walkie-Talkie to function. A Walkie-Talkie conversation is similar to putting a FaceTime call on hold when you’re not talking.
If you don’t see Walkie Talkie on your Apple Watch, make sure you haven’t accidentally disabled or deleted the FaceTime app on your iPhone.
Go to Settings -> FaceTime and make sure the option is turned on. If you do not receive the FaceTime option, the app may be removed from your device. It can be reinstalled from the App Store using the guide above.
Why Aren’t My Walkie-Talkie Invites Working?
Walkie – Talkie connection lost? If your watch isn’t connecting to a specific friend you’d like to talk to, or if your Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie invite isn’t working, you may need to remove them from your friends list and re-add them. If you delete them, you will have to re-invite them to join your friends list. You can try talking again after they accept the invitation. To delete and add a friend on your Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie, follow the steps below.
- To access the Home Screen on your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown.
- Select the Walkie-Talkie app.
- Swipe left on your friend and then tap the red X.
- Scroll through your contacts and select the person you want to re-add.
- Tap the friend you want to add again.
Your friend will receive an invitation. When they accept your invitation, the color of their contact card changes to yellow, indicating that they are available to chat.
I Can’t Seem To Find the Walkie-Talkie App
Don’t be alarmed if your Walkie-Talkie app has disappeared entirely. It’s simple to delete apps by accident and just as simple to recover them.
- Check that FaceTime is installed and enabled.
- Check that your Walkie Talkie is installed and turned on.
- Check to see if Walkie-Talkies are available in your area.
I’ve Tried Everything, but the Walkie-Talkie Still Doesn’t Work. How Should I Proceed?
#1. Make Sure That Theater Mode Is Turned Off
When you enable Theater Mode, Walkie-Talkie is automatically disabled, and you will be unable to communicate with or hear your friends. To access Control Center, swipe up on your Watch Face. Tap the orange Theater Mode icon to turn it off.
#2. Check the Apple System Status page
Sometimes the issue is with Apple rather than with you. To find out if FaceTime or Walkie-Talkie services are down, go to www.apple.com/support/systemstatus.
#3. You Should Update Your Software
The most recent software update may include a fix for a bug that is causing your Apple Watch or iPhone to malfunction. You can update your iPhone via the iPhone Settings app, and your Apple Watch via the Apple Watch Settings app or the iPhone Watch app. If your Apple Watch is refusing to update, try this.
Conclusion
Hopefully, one of the solutions listed above will assist in resolving any issues that are preventing Walkie-Talkie from working on your Apple Watch. If you continue to have issues with the app, you should contact Apple Support or visit your local Apple Store. Check out our guide on troubleshooting iPhone vibration issues for more information on another common issue. Also, to get the most out of your Apple Watch, read our guide to the device’s symbols and icons.
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