Here’s how to use FaceTime effects on an Apple device.
Devices That Can Use FaceTime Camera Effects
While FaceTime can be used by older models like the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, you need a newer device to be able to use the effects on FaceTime. Compatible devices include:
iPhone 7 and later (excluding the original iPhone SE) iPad Air (3rd generation) and later iPad mini (5th generation) and later iPad (6th generation) and later iPad Pro 10. 5 inch Pad Pro 12. 9 inch (2nd generation) and later
At the time of writing, you cannot use camera effects on Mac. However, macOS Monterey allows Macs with Apple silicon to use Portrait mode. More on this later.
1. Become a Memoji in FaceTime
Memojis are Apple’s customizable 3D avatars that look like you. You can use an iPhone with Face ID or an iPad with a TrueDepth camera to show up as a Memoji on your next FaceTime call.
Of course, you’d need to first make your own Memoji. If you have several Apple devices that sign in on the same Apple ID, any Memoji you use on one of your devices will be synced across all the others. But don’t worry, you can always create several Memojis for yourself.
After doing that, tap the Effects button in a FaceTime call, then tap the Memoji icon.
2. Use Filters to Change How You Look
Filters are like special effects that alter your video’s lighting, tone, and hue. Some special effects mimic comic books, watercolor paintings, and camcorder recordings. To add a filter to your display:
While on a FaceTime call, tap your tile, then tap the Effects button. Select the Filters icon or the image with three overlapping circles. Swipe to preview your appearance with a filter. Tap to select a filter.
3. Add a Text Label to FaceTime Calls
You can also add a text or a shape, like a thought bubble with text inside, as part of your display.
While on a FaceTime call, tap your tile, then select the Effects button. Tap the Text Label (Aa) button. Tap to expand the selection, then choose a text label. The text label will appear on your display. Type the text that you want to appear to change the default text, then tap away from it. Hold the text and drag it to where you want it to appear on your screen. If you want an emoji to appear on your screen display, tap the big smiling face on the selection, then select an emoji. Tap anywhere on the screen, select your tile, then drag the emoji to where you want it to stay.
To remove the text label or emoji, just tap it and hit the Delete button.
4. Add Stickers to Your FaceTime Screen
There are a variety of stickers that you can add to your screen display on FaceTime. While on a FaceTime call, tap your tile, then do any of the following:
Add a Memoji sticker: Tap the Memoji icon. Select a Memoji or Animoji from the icons at the top. Choose from the available stickers. Drag the sticker anywhere on your screen. Add an Emoji sticker: Tap the Emoji sticker icon. Choose an emoji, then drag it around the screen. Standard emoji stickers: Tap the Effects button, select Text Label (Aa), expand the selection, then tap the smiley face. Select an emoji.
5. Add Shapes to Your FaceTime Screen
You can also add funky, static or moving shapes to your screen display. Here’s how to do it:
Just select the Shapes icon or the red scribble icon. Then choose the shape you want to add to your screen’s display. Drag the shape anywhere on your screen. You can also anchor the shape to your face so that it will follow you even as you move. Just drag it to your face and wait until a yellow frame appears.
6. Use Portrait Mode With FaceTime
You can use Portrait mode with FaceTime on your device to blur the background so that the focus is on you. This feature works on an iPhone or iPad with an A12 Bionic chip or later or a Mac with Apple silicon running macOS Monterey or later.
Currently, this is the only available FaceTime video effect available on Macs.
Combine Multiple FaceTime Features
You can also apply more than one camera effect simultaneously on your display. For example, you can blur your background with Portrait mode even as you show yourself as a Memoji.
Make FaceTime Calls Fun
Explore camera effects on FaceTime to make your calls more lively, engaging, and fun. You can even play around with your appearance by combining one or more features together.
