Bored of memojis and one-tap filters? Apple offers a new way to engage in your virtual face-to-face meetings with reactions. You can use different hand gestures to trigger augmented reality effects in FaceTime and other video calling apps.
Let’s look at what reactions are, who can use them, all the available hand gestures, and how to disable the feature when you don’t need it. Whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, we’ve got you covered.
What Are Reactions, and Which Devices Support Them?
Reactions are augmented reality effects that are triggered by specific hand gestures. They appear in your video calls when your camera detects those gestures. Reactions are one of thecool effects you can use in FaceTime, but they also work in other apps such as WhatsApp and Google Meet.
To use reactions with hand gestures, you need one of the following devices running at least iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma:
All in all, you need an iPhone or iPad powered by an A14 Bionic chip or newer processor to try out reactions.If your Mac has an Intel chip, you may use a supportediPhone as a webcamto use reactions in video calls.
Who Can See Reactions in Video Calls?
Although your devices need to fulfill the above criteria to use reactions with hand gestures, a compatible device isn’t necessary if a user simply wants to view reactions added by another party to the video call.
This means that even if your family or friend uses an Android device or an iPhone running on iOS 16 and below, they can still see the 3D effects that are activated from your end.
Use These Hand Gestures to Trigger Reactions in Your Video Calls
Now, let’s look at the eight reactions you may trigger with hand gestures. The types of hand gestures are the same for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Reactions are enabled by default, so all you need to do is make one of the hand gestures below for the augmented reality effect to appear.
The hearts reaction is a lovely way to greet a family member, close friend, or partner on a video call. It’s a more expressive way to say goodbye when you’re ending the call as well.
Use two hands to form a heart. Between your hands, a series of red hearts will then slowly appear to float upwards and away.
2. Thumbs-Up
With this reaction, you’re able to give a “like” if someone shares a good idea or suggestion.
Simply hold one thumb up. A 3D thumbs-up, contained in a thought bubble similar to a social media icon, will pop up right next to your own.
3. Fireworks
The fireworks reaction is great for celebratory occasions. You can also use it in an exaggerated, humorous way when giving compliments.
Hold two thumbs up at the same time. Your screen will turn a shade darker to let colorful fireworks pop up all around you.
4. Thumbs-Down
Is something not working or not quite to your liking? This reaction lets you give a “dislike” to express disagreement.
To trigger it, hold one thumb down. The 3D effect looks the same as a thumbs-up but inverted.
In a video call, the rain reaction expresses disappointment, exasperation, or tiredness, helping you to make light of less-than-ideal situations.
Hold two thumbs down at the same time to have a stormy rain fill your screen.
6. Balloons
Similar to fireworks, you can use the balloons reaction for positive, celebratory events. It’s good for birthdays and other virtual parties, too.
Make a victory or peace gesture with one hand. Watch brightly colored balloons of different sizes float up all around you, even to the point of obscuring your face!
7. Confetti
This is another celebratory reaction. Make the victory or peace gesture with both hands for confetti to rain down on you.
The last reaction has two interesting versions. Sometimes, you’ll see a laser ball with smoke effects. Other times, it’ll be laser beams going off around you.
To trigger either one, make the sign of the horns (or the “rock on” sign) with both hands.
Reactions are fun when you’re engaged in a casual conversation with family and friends, but if you’re worried you might accidentally trigger them in a work meeting, here’s how to disable it to avoid the 3D effect popping up unnecessarily.
To disable reactions on an iPhone or iPad, you’ll need to be on a video call first. Then,access the Control Center, tapEffects, and deselectReactions.
However, take note that this only disables reactions in that particular app. At the moment, there’s no way to disable reactions across all apps. For instance, if you don’t want 3D effects to interfere with your Zoom meetings, you’ll have to repeat the above steps during a Zoom call again.
To disable reactions on a specific Mac app, start a video call in that app first. Then, click the greenVideoicon in the menu bar and deselectReactions. The icon will change from green to gray when it’s disabled. Repeat the steps if you want to disable the feature in a different app.
Enhance Your Video Calls With Reactions
Reactions are a lively way to make video calls with family and friends more fun and enjoyable. At the moment, you can use simple hand gestures to trigger a total of eight different 3D effects in your video calls.
If you’re on a more formal video call, don’t worry. You can easily disable reactions to prevent those eye-catching effects from accidentally appearing and interrupting your conversation.
