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Use video conferencing features on iPhone

During a video call in the FaceTime app or a third-party video conferencing app, you can use full-screen video effects and add reactions with hand gestures that fill the camera frame with 3D effects.

Use video effects in a video call

  1. During a video call on your iPhone in the FaceTime app , tap your tile.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • Keep yourself in the camera frame as you move around: Center Stage—available only on iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air— is on by default. To turn it off, tap Camera Effects, then tap Center Stage.

    • Blur the background: On iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, tap Camera Effects, then tap Portrait. On other models, tap Portrait. See Blur the background with Portrait mode.

    • Dim the background and illuminate your face: On iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, tap Camera Effects, then tap Studio Light. On other models, tap Studio Light.

    • Become an animated Memoji: On iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, tap Camera Effects, then tap Memoji. On other models, tap Memoji. You can use a built-in Memoji—or one that you created—to capture your movements, facial expressions, and voice. See Create and send Memoji.

    • Add visual effects with hand gestures: Tap Reactions. When Reactions is turned off in Control Center, you can’t use hand gestures to add reactions, but you can add reactions in FaceTime by tapping the icons that appear when you touch and hold your tile in the call. See Add reactions in a video call.

To use video effects in third-party video conferencing apps, open Control Center, tap the app, then tap one or more effects.

Note: Memoji aren’t available in third-party video conferencing apps.

To adjust the amount of blur in Portrait mode or the intensity of Studio Light, open Control Center, then tap FaceTime (or the third-party video conferencing app). Tap Portrait or Studio Light, then adjust the slider.

Add reactions in a video call

With simple hand gestures in the FaceTime app (and third-party video conferencing apps), you can add reactions that fill the camera frame with fun, 3D augmented reality effects—including hearts, balloons, fireworks, and more. Hand gestures are available on iPhone 12 or later.

Note: To use hand gestures during a FaceTime call, tap your tile, then make sure Reactions is turned on. To use hand gestures during a call in a third-party video conferencing app, open Control Center, then make sure Reactions is turned on. When using gestures, hold your hands away from your face, and pause for a moment or two to activate the effect. (Only the front camera supports reactions and gestures.) You can also add reactions by touching and holding your tile in the call, then tapping the icons that appear.

Reaction

Gesture

Icon

Hearts

the Hearts gesture
the Hearts button

Thumbs-up

the Thumbs-up gesture
the Thumbs Up button

Thumbs-down

the Thumbs-down gesture
the Thumbs Down button

Balloons

the Balloons gesture
the Balloons button

Rain

the Rain gesture
the Rain button

Confetti

the Confetti gesture
the Confetti button

Laser burst

the Laser Burst gesture
the Lasers button

Fireworks

the Fireworks gesture
the Fireworks button
See alsoHand off a FaceTime call from your iPhone to your other Apple devices
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