What is FaceTime?

[question everything]

As I have previously posted, I lost most of my contacts awhile ago and I thought that it happened after a software was installed itself on my iMac.

Now I noticed that every single contact has FaceTime included and I also have an application called FaceTime.

I cannot delete this entry from any of the contacts and I cannot delete the application, am getting a message that "it cannot be modified or deleted, required by MacOS."

It was the day after it was FaceTime was installed that I first realized that I lost many of the contacts.

If, in the future, another "software update" is being installed, can I stop it?

[dameatball]

1. Face time lets you communicate online in real time with video of both parties. So even if your eyes

are bloodshot and your hair is sticking out sideways you can enjoy it, sort of. My significant other seems to think we need it even though she is my next door neighbor and I can pretty much look out the window and see her when it isn't snowing, so take it for what it's worth. It is pretty cool for talking with grandkids, but many people do like it more than me.

[question everything]

3. Like Skype?

Does the other party have to have it, too? Even if they don't use Mac?

What is nice about Skype is that one does not have the video on, one can just talk.

Oh, I see. Skype is now Microsoft so Apple had to come with its own.

I still think it wiped most of my contacts which were someplace in the memory, not in the address book.

[dameatball]

4. Mac isn't necessary.

[emulatorloo]

5. Works with iPhones and iPads as well

Never heard of an Apple update that erased contacts. FWiW never heard of contacts being in any place but in the Contacts app

Have you talked to Apple tech support?

[question everything]

7. This will be my next step

I always had contacts in the memory somewhere. As a matter of fact, I remember years back someone asked how to remove old contacts, when you start typing Dave, you get a whole list of "Daves." And if that Dave Jones had several addresses, all of them would show up. Perhaps no longer an issue. Thus, I did not bother to put them in the contact list. And then I got a new iMac and could not access my emails, so an Apple support found that I had two address: one at comcast.net, the other something High-speed internet, or something. So she deleted the "high speed" one and I lost about 300 emalis, which was not that bad. Did it not interfere with sending emails, though, so I thought that they floated someplace in the memory, for a while with a limited time and then disappeared.

And then I made the connection with a new software installed that I did not ask. I always get a note of a new App and I always ignore it, but that time decided to go ahead and was surprised that it was a software that took its time to install.

Of course I cannot say that it caused it, but at least associated with it.

[StTimofEdenRoc]

2. a telephone call with live picture is all

just like the Jetsons

[unc70]

6. Can do audio only -- no video is an option

FaceTime can work over IP, a lot like Skype. You can use it with just WiFi. I use it for "free" international calls when traveling. FaceTime is not deleting your contacts. Go to the FaceTime app and you can select audio only.