Apple's Group FaceTime Feature Will Be Delayed

One of the coolest features of iOS 12, Group FaceTime, is going to be a tad delayed, Apple announced in its iOS 12 developer beta 7 release notes earlier this week, 9to5Mac reports.

"Group FaceTime has been removed from the initial release of iOS 12 and will ship in a future software update later this fall," the Cupertino tech giant wrote, according to the report. Apple did not specify why, exactly, the feature is taking longer than expected.

First announced at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June, Group FaceTime will let you video chat with up to 32 people at once. During a chat, participants' images appear in small boxes on the screen. As people speak, their images will bubble up and appear more prominently, but you can also tap on the video of a certain person if you only want to see them.

When the feature eventually arrives, you'll be able to turn any group chat on Messages into a Group FaceTime chat, and drop in and out of the conversation as necessary.

Right now, the only way to get iOS 12 is to enroll your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in Apple's beta program. Signing up for the iOS 12 public beta is very simple, requiring just a login from your phone and few taps. Un-enrolling is simple, too.

Recommended by Our Editors

iOS 12 Will Share Precise Location Details on 911 Calls

Report: 2018 OLED iPhones to Support Apple Pencil

Most Anticipated Smartphone? Next iPhone, Galaxy Note 9 Duke It Out

Apple's iOS 12 offers faster app launching, a feature called Screen Time aimed at combating tech addiction, Siri shortcuts, Memoji, support for ARKit 2, and more. Meanwhile, if you want to have a group video chat, there's no shortage of apps that can help you do that right now. Instagram and WhatsApp let you video chat with up to four people, while Snapchat offers support for up to 16, and Skype allows up to 25.

If you're looking for a more business-friendly solution, check out our roundup of the Best Video Conferencing Software of 2018.