How to use video conferencing features on iPhone

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:04 pm EAT by Dave Johnson

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. Video effects include Center Stage, Portrait, and Studio Light, which dims the background and illuminates your face.

Use video effects in a video call

During a video call on your iPhone in the FaceTime app, tap your tile.
Do any of the following:
- Keep yourself in the camera frame as you move around: On supported models, Center Stage is on by default. To turn it off, tap Camera Effects. Then tap Center Stage.
- Blur the background: On supported models, tap Camera Effects and then tap Portrait. On other models, tap Portrait.
- Dim the background and illuminate your face: On supported models, tap Camera Effects and then tap Studio Light. On other models, tap Studio Light.
- Become an animated Memoji: On iPhone supported models, tap Camera Effects and 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.
- 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.

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

In the FaceTime app (and third-party video conferencing apps), simple hand gestures can trigger reactions, filling the camera frame with fun, 3D augmented reality effects like hearts, balloons, fireworks, and more. You’ll need iPhone 12 or later to use hand gestures.

Note: Hand gestures need Reactions turned on. During a FaceTime call, tap your tile to check. In a third-party video conferencing app, open Control Center instead. When you use gestures, keep your hands away from your face, then pause for a moment or two so the effect activates.

(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.