iOS 17 Gestures: How to Trigger Reaction Effects in FaceTime

PDF download Download Article
Use hand movements to send reactions on iPhone or iPad
PDF download Download Article

Did you know you can have unique effects pop up during FaceTime calls? With iOS 17, you can have emoji hearts, fireworks, and even balloons show up with your video. There are currently 8 reactions you can create using hand gestures. Here's how to use all iOS 17 FaceTime gestures on iPhone 12 and later.

FaceTime Gestures in iOS 17

  • Make a heart with your hands to send floating hearts.
  • Raise a peace sign to send balloons.
  • Raise two peace signs to send confetti.
  • Show two thumbs-up to send fireworks.
  • Show a thumbs-up to send a thumbs-up thought bubble.
  • Make a "sign of the horns" gesture for a laser burst.
Section 1 of 2:

All FaceTime Gestures in iOS 17

PDF download Download Article
  1. Put your hands together in a heart with your thumbs at the bottom.
    • Floating red hearts will appear from the center of your hands.
  2. Show a thumbs-up gesture to the camera.
    • A bubble with the thumbs-up icon will appear.
    Advertisement
  3. Show a thumbs-down gesture to the camera.
    • A bubble with the thumbs-down icon will appear.
  4. Raise a two-fingered peace sign .
    • Balloons will pop up from the bottom of the screen and rise to the top.
  5. Make a thumbs-down gesture with both hands.
    • The surroundings will turn darker, and rain will fall from the top of your screen.
  6. Raise two-fingered peace signs on both hands.
    • Confetti will rain down around you.
  7. Make a "rock on" gesture (sign of the horns) with both hands.
    • Multi-colored lasers will scan behind you.
  8. Make a thumbs-up gesture with both hands.
    • Fireworks will explode behind you.
    9. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

Enabling Reactions

PDF download Download Article
  1. This feature is only available in iOS 17. Be sure to update your iPhone .
    • Reactions, also known as gestures, are already enabled by default. Use this method in case it's disabled or you want to turn it off.
    • Supported iPhone models include:
      • iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
      • iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
      • iPhone 11, Pro, Max
      • iPhone 12, Mini, Pro, Pro Max
      • iPhone 13, Pro, Pro Max
      • iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, Pro Max
      • iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, Pro Max [1]
  2. Open the Control Center . On iPhones without a Home button, swipe down on the top-right corner of the screen. On iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
  3. This is at the top of the Control Center.
  4. The bubble should be highlighted. [2]
    • If you want to disable reactions, tap the bubble so it's no longer highlighted.
    • When you use reactions, make sure the gesturing hand is fully visible.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      6 Ways to View Your Apple ID Password—No Resetting Required
      Everything You Need to Know about Game Mode in iOS 18
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      How to
      Downgrade and Restore Older Versions of iOS on iPhone
      How to
      Turn Off Screen Time: 4 Simple Methods You Can Try
      Is Your iPhone Hacked? How to Tell and What to Do
      How to
      AirPlay to a Fire Stick from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
      App Store Missing? 3 Easy Methods to Restore It on iPhone or iPad
      No Location Found Error in Find My: Meaning and Solutions
      iOS 18 Guide: How to Use Genmoji + What Genmoji Is
      Why Is My iPhone Going Straight to Voicemail?
      4 Simple Ways to Fix iPhone iOS 16 "Update Requested"
      Can You See Your AirDrop History? And How to See Files Shared with You
      How to
      Delete Application Data on iOS: 3 Easy Ways
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-models-compatible-with-ios-17-iphe3fa5df43/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-video-conferencing-features-iphaa0b5671d/ios

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 34,635 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement