Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
FaceTime, introduced way back in 2010 is a brilliant way to stay in touch with family and friends when you can’t be there in person, but since 2020, video calling became a much bigger part of work life. But since Apple brought Reactions natively to their cameras, not just in FaceTime calls but any time you’re using your camera to make a call, even in other apps like Google, Zoom and more. So if like me, you’ve ever wondered why a thumbs up just appeared next to your head, or a fireworks went off behind you, you’re not alone, and I can help you fix it.
These reactions can happen on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, or even your Apple TV if you’re making a call using continuity camera, which we’ll come back to later as it’s a super easy way to make your calls look so much better. It’s just confusing why Apple hid the way to turn off the reactions!
So here’s all the reactions you can make happen on your video call with reactions:
Throw a Peace sign for Balloons - perfect for birthdays
The same with both hands for Confetti
Make a Heart sign for Love hearts to come flooding out,
Thumbs Up, Thumbs down
Two thumbs up, Fireworks
Two thumbs down, Rainy Day
Rock on like Craig Federighi : Laser Light show.
As you can tell, some of these are easier to accidentally activate than others, and while a little thumbs up appearing near you may be pretty forgivable, setting off fireworks when you tell someone to keep their chin up after laying them off, may not express the sympathy that you’re hoping.
But don’t worry, they’re easy to switch off… if you know how. So if you’re on a Mac, you’ll want to have an app open that uses that camera - so open FaceTime for example, and up there in the top menu bar of your Mac, you’ll see a little green camera icon. Click on that one, and you’ll be able to switch on or off Reactions, studio light and portrait mode which gives you that lovely soft background, hiding the absolute state that is your room. Probably. Also, if your Mac supports it, you can turn on or off Center Stage here, which will focus on you and follow you with the camera frame.
On iPhone or iPad, again, open FaceTime or another app that uses your camera for calls, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center and choose Effects, then you can turn off reactions here, along with the same portrait mode, studio lighting and centre stage on supported devices.
And if you are using a Mac, the chances are you’re an iPhone user too. Do yourself a favour and use Continuity Camera, which uses your iPhone’s main camera instead of the tiny webcam on your Mac. And how does it look? Well, this whole video was shot using it wirelessly to my Mac. Taking Shot on iPhone to a new level.
Usually I talk Apple News, but if you find these kind of tips and guides helpful, let me know in the comments and what your biggest frustration about Apple is so I can help!
How I record the Podcast? Riverside fm. Support the show by using my link if you're signing up :)
icavedave.com/riverside
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FaceTime, introduced way back in 2010 is a brilliant way to stay in touch with family and friends when you can’t be there in person, but since 2020, video calling became a much bigger part of work life. But since Apple brought Reactions natively to their cameras, not just in FaceTime calls but any time you’re using your camera to make a call, even in other apps like Google, Zoom and more. So if like me, you’ve ever wondered why a thumbs up just appeared next to your head, or a fireworks went off behind you, you’re not alone, and I can help you fix it.
These reactions can happen on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, or even your Apple TV if you’re making a call using continuity camera, which we’ll come back to later as it’s a super easy way to make your calls look so much better. It’s just confusing why Apple hid the way to turn off the reactions!
So here’s all the reactions you can make happen on your video call with reactions:
Throw a Peace sign for Balloons - perfect for birthdays
The same with both hands for Confetti
Make a Heart sign for Love hearts to come flooding out,
Thumbs Up, Thumbs down
Two thumbs up, Fireworks
Two thumbs down, Rainy Day
Rock on like Craig Federighi : Laser Light show.
As you can tell, some of these are easier to accidentally activate than others, and while a little thumbs up appearing near you may be pretty forgivable, setting off fireworks when you tell someone to keep their chin up after laying them off, may not express the sympathy that you’re hoping.
But don’t worry, they’re easy to switch off… if you know how. So if you’re on a Mac, you’ll want to have an app open that uses that camera - so open FaceTime for example, and up there in the top menu bar of your Mac, you’ll see a little green camera icon. Click on that one, and you’ll be able to switch on or off Reactions, studio light and portrait mode which gives you that lovely soft background, hiding the absolute state that is your room. Probably. Also, if your Mac supports it, you can turn on or off Center Stage here, which will focus on you and follow you with the camera frame.
On iPhone or iPad, again, open FaceTime or another app that uses your camera for calls, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center and choose Effects, then you can turn off reactions here, along with the same portrait mode, studio lighting and centre stage on supported devices.
And if you are using a Mac, the chances are you’re an iPhone user too. Do yourself a favour and use Continuity Camera, which uses your iPhone’s main camera instead of the tiny webcam on your Mac. And how does it look? Well, this whole video was shot using it wirelessly to my Mac. Taking Shot on iPhone to a new level.
Usually I talk Apple News, but if you find these kind of tips and guides helpful, let me know in the comments and what your biggest frustration about Apple is so I can help!
How I record the Podcast? Riverside fm. Support the show by using my link if you're signing up :)
icavedave.com/riverside
Join the conversation
iCaveDave.com/twitter
iCaveDave.com/facebook
iCaveDave.com/instagram
iCaveDave.com/youtube
iCaveDave.com/merch
iCaveDave.com/discord
