How to use hand gestures to create effects when calling FaceTime

Do you want to use hand gestures to create effects when calling FaceTime? This article will guide you in detail how to do it.

FaceTime is a video and voice calling application developed by Apple, integrated on iPhone, iPad and Mac, helping users easily contact family, friends or colleagues via the Internet. FaceTime stands out with good image and sound quality and the ability to synchronize with the Apple ecosystem. Users can make individual calls or join group calls, and use many interesting effects to make the conversation more lively.

A notable feature on FaceTime is hand gestures, which allows creating 3D effects by moving your hand into the frame. When the Reactions feature is enabled, users can perform a number of gestures such as raising a thumb, thumb down, making a heart shape with two hands, making a V sign with two hands or raising two thumbs to activate the corresponding effects. This feature helps users express emotions visually without touching the screen, especially useful in group calls and remote chats.

In this article, let’s find out all about it Hand gestures to create effects when video calling via FaceTimesupported devices and how to turn off this feature when not needed.

What are effects and what devices support them?

Effects are augmented reality effects triggered by specific hand gestures that appear when users make FaceTime video calls. They appear during video calls when the camera detects those gestures. Besides FaceTime, they also work in other apps like WhatsApp and Google Meet.

To use hand gesture effects, users need one of the following devices and must be running at least iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma:

• iPhone 12 or later
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation or later)
• iPad Pro 12.9 inch (5th generation or later)
• iPad Air (4th generation or later)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad (10th generation)
• Apple silicon Mac (M1 MacBook Air and newer)

In general, users need an iPhone or iPad equipped with an A14 Bionic chip or newer processor to try the effect. If their Mac has an Intel chip, people can use a supported iPhone as a webcam to use effects during video calls.

While the device needs to meet the above criteria to use hand gesture reactions, call recipients do not need a compatible device to see effects added to a video call by another party.

This means that even if family or friends use Android devices or iPhones running on iOS 16 or lower, they can still see the 3D effects enabled from the caller’s side.

Hand gestures trigger effects when FaceTime

Now, let’s look at 8 effects users can trigger with hand gestures. The types of hand gestures are the same for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The effect is enabled by default, so all people need to do is perform one of the hand gestures below for the augmented reality effect to appear.

Heart

The heart effect is an adorable way to greet a family member, close friend or partner on a video call. It’s also a more expressive way to say goodbye at the end of a call. Use two hands form a heart shape. Between the two hands, a series of red hearts will then slowly appear and fly up.

Agree 👍

With this effect, people can hit the “like” button if someone shares a good idea or suggestion. To perform this effect is very simple, just hold up a thumbs up. A 3D like icon, contained in a thought bubble similar to a social network icon, will appear right next to the actor’s thought bubble.

Fireworks 👍👍

Fireworks reactions are great for celebratory occasions. People can also use it in an exaggerated, humorous way when giving compliments.

Hold two thumbs up at the same time. The screen will turn darker so that colorful fireworks appear around the performer.

Don’t like 👎

Is there something not quite to your liking? This reaction allows users to give a “thumbs up” to express disagreement.

To activate it, hold a thumb down below. A 3D effect that looks like a thumbs up icon but reversed will appear.

Rain 👎👎

During a video call, rain’s reaction shows frustration, anger or fatigue, for a situation that is not ideal or desirable. Just keep two thumbs down at the same time so that a rainstorm fills the screen.

Balloons ✌

Similar to fireworks, people can use balloon reactions for positive celebratory events. It is also suitable for birthdays and other virtual parties.

Perform victory or peace gesture with one hand. Watch as brightly colored balloons of various sizes fly up around you, to the point of obscuring your face.

Confetti fireworks ✌✌

This is another celebratory reaction. Perform victory or peace gesture with both hands Let the confetti fall all over the screen.

Laser 🤟🤟

The final response has two interesting versions. Occasionally, users will see a laser ball with a smoke effect. Other times, there will be laser beams emitting around.

To activate either effect, create horn symbol (or rock symbol) with both hands.

Frequently asked questions about creating hand gesture effects during FaceTime calls

Which iPhone does the FaceTime hand gesture effect require?

• The FaceTime Reaction feature only works on iOS 17, meaning users need an iPhone 12 or later (iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11 are not supported).

Why don’t gestures work with the rear camera?

• The FaceTime Reaction feature is only recognized via the front camera.

What gestures are supported?

8 supported gestures include:

• Heart shape using both hands – Heart emoji
• Thumbs up – Thumbs up emoji
• Two thumbs up – Fireworks
• A thumbs down – Thumbs down emoji
• Two thumbs down – Cloud
• One-handed victory/peace symbol – Balloon
• Two-handed victory/peace symbol – Glitter
• “Rock on” symbol (🤘) on both hands – Laser beam

How to enable the feature?

• During a FaceTime call: swipe down to open Control Center > Video Effects > on Reactions.

Tips for better gesture recognition system?

• When FaceTime, make sure your face and hands are clearly in the frame, and keep your hands away from your face, pausing for 1-2 seconds when making gestures.