Use video effects during FaceTime calls on Mac
During a FaceTime video call, you can use video effects on compatible Mac models to focus the attention on you or your reactions.
Change your background
With macOS Sequoia or later and a Mac with Apple silicon, you can choose a virtual background to enhance your privacy, present a more professional appearance, or suit the occasion. You can also change your background while using your iPhone as a webcam.
During a FaceTime video call, click in the menu bar, then select Background. Click the background preview to choose a color, a built-in image, or an image of your own.
Tip: To blur your background instead, you can turn on Portrait mode.
Add reactions with hand gestures
During video calls, you can use reactions to express how you feel with visual effects. Reactions are available in FaceTime when you use a Mac with Apple silicon, or when you use your iPhone as a webcam.
To turn reactions on, click in the menu bar, then click Reactions.
Choose any of the following reactions:
Reaction | Gesture | Icon |
---|---|---|
Hearts | ||
Thumbs up | ||
Thumbs down | ||
Balloons | ||
Rain | ||
Confetti | ||
Laser | ||
Fireworks |
Note: When using gestures, hold your hands away from your face, and pause for a moment to activate the effect.
To add a reaction without using a gesture, click in the menu bar, click next to Reactions, then choose an option. (If you don’t see , click Reactions to turn on the feature.)
To turn off reactions, click in the menu bar, then click Reactions.
Blur your background with Portrait mode
With macOS 12 or later and a Mac with Apple silicon, you can turn on Portrait mode to automatically blur the background and put the visual focus on you. Portrait mode is also available while using your iPhone as a webcam.
During a FaceTime video call, click in the menu bar, then select Portrait.
Tip: To adjust the amount of background blur, click next to Portrait and use the slider.
To turn Portrait mode off, click in the menu bar, then deselect Portrait.
Turn Center Stage on or off
Center Stage keeps you, and anyone with you, centered in the frame as you move around during a video call. With macOS 12.3 or later, you can use Center Stage when you have an Apple Studio Display connected to your Mac. With macOS 13 or later, you can also enable Center Stage while using your compatible iPhone as a webcam.
During a FaceTime video call, click in the menu bar, then select Center Stage.
When using an iPhone 11 or newer as a webcam, you can click and choose Main to keep yourself centered in the frame in a smaller field of view, or choose Ultra Wide to move further around the room. To adjust the camera frame, use the controls to zoom in and out, or pan left and right. To automatically place yourself in the center of the frame, choose Recenter.
To turn Center Stage off, click in the menu bar, then turn off Center Stage.
Zoom, pan, or recenter
When using your iPhone as a webcam, you can control the camera by zooming in, panning left or right, or recentering the frame.
During a FaceTime video call, click in the menu bar, turn off Center Stage, then do any of the following:
Zoom: Depending on your iPhone model, you can toggle between 0.5x and 1x to quickly zoom in or out. For a more precise zoom, touch and hold the zoom controls, then drag the slider right or left.
Pan: Click in the preview and drag your cursor to adjust what you’re showing in your video.
Recenter: Click the Recenter button to automatically detect your face and frame you in the center.
Reset the framing: Click the 0.5x or 1x button in the preview.
Use Studio Light
Studio Light dims the background and illuminates your face. With macOS 14 or later and a Mac with Apple silicon, you can enable Studio Light using the built-in camera. With macOS 13 or later, you can enable Studio Light while using your iPhone as a webcam.
During a FaceTime video call, click in the menu bar, then select Studio Light.
Tip: To adjust the amount of light, click next to Studio Light and use the slider.
To turn Studio Light off, click in the menu bar, then deselect Studio Light.
Use Desk View
When you use your iPhone as a webcam with macOS 13 or later, you can use Desk View to show what’s on your desk while you still appear onscreen.
During a FaceTime video call, click the Desk View button in the upper-right corner of the window.
Use the Desk View setup window to align your desk with the rear-facing camera on your iPhone. To zoom in or out, drag the onscreen control at the bottom of the window.
Click Share Desk View.
To stop sharing Desk View, switch to the Desk View window and choose Desk View > Quit. You can also click in the Desk View window, then choose Stop Sharing.
To pause video during a FaceTime call, click . Your camera is temporarily turned off, but everyone in the call can still hear each other talk. To turn the camera back on, click the button again.
Note: If you click at the top of the FaceTime window, the camera stays on, but video may be paused.