Apple introduced the newest version of iOS for iPhones at the keynote for the WWDC 2021. Numerous new features, including some remarkable FaceTime upgrades, are included in iOS 15. The Cupertino behemoth has made an effort to bring FaceTime closer to other video-conference programmes like Zoom and Skype. Apple has improved FaceTime by adding support for Portrait Mode among other things. Essentially, this implies that you will soon be able to blur the background of your FaceTime video conversations. So, you’ve come to the right place if you want to learn how to use FaceTime’s Portrait Mode feature on iOS 15.
Portrait Mode in FaceTime on iOS 15
In this article, I’ll demonstrate how to use iOS 15’s new Portrait Mode on FaceTime and how to make your background disappear while on a FaceTime video chat. So, to learn how the feature functions, make sure to read this story through to the finish. Alternately, you may use the interactive table below to skip right to the area you want.
Compatible iPhones
It’s important to note that the Portrait Mode feature of FaceTime will only function on devices running the A12 Bionic chip and later before I continue with the stages. That means iOS 15-powered devices running the iPhone XS, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 series will support the function.
Unfortunately, owners of the iPhone X and iPhone 8 series cannot use this FaceTime feature. On the other side, the capability will be available to iPhone SE users in 2020. You may download and instal the iOS 15 developer beta on an A12-powered handset if you want to test out the new FaceTime features. You may read more about how to instal the beta without a developer account in our in-depth article.
How to Blur Background in FaceTime Video Calls
Now that that is out of the way, let’s look at the procedures you must follow on iOS 15 in order to blur the background during FaceTime video conversations.
Method 1: Using the FaceTime App
1. On your iOS device, launch the FaceTime app.
2. FaceTime any of your contacts for a video call. Then, press on your personal video view in the bottom right corner to see all of your potential selections grow.
3. A Portrait Mode icon can be seen in the top left corner of the extended video view. Toggle background blur in your FaceTime video call by tapping on it.
4. That is all. You may now FaceTime your friends and coworkers without showing them your disorganised room, photo wall, and other things because of the blurred background.
Method 2: Using the Control Center
1. On your iOS device, launch the FaceTime app and initiate a FaceTime video call with any of your contacts.
2. Launch your device’s Control Center while you are on a video conversation. On a Face ID-compatible smartphone, swipe down from the top right corner to access it. On a Touch ID device, swipe up from the bottom.
3. A new Video Effects tile has been added to the Control Center.
4. To expand the Video Effects tile, long-press or use a 3D touch. After that, tap the Portrait button to turn it on.
5. Next, go return to the video call and close the Control Center and Video Effects tile. And presto! The background of your FaceTime video call is currently blurred.
Pro Tip: Portrait Mode Works With Any Video Calling App on iOS 15
Now, even though I’ve shown you in this post how to enable Portrait Mode for FaceTime chats, this function also functions with other iPhone video chatting apps. As a result, the Control Center’s Video Effects tile will display the name of the associated app when you make a video call on WhatsApp or Instagram. Using the same procedures as before, you can then turn the feature on or off.
Blur Background in Video Calls with iOS 15
That is all there is to know about iOS 15’s new Portrait Mode feature for FaceTime video conversations. By integrating these features into FaceTime, Apple is attempting to compete with competing video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet. Additionally, it now enables you to share your screen, make FaceTime calls to Android users, and do much more. If FaceTime is not your thing, you can still use the linked articles to learn how to set a virtual background in Zoom, create a custom background in Google Meet, and modify the background in Microsoft Teams.