Facebook Acquires Popular Live Filter iOS App 'MSQRD' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Facebook Acquires Popular Live Filter iOS App 'MSQRD'

by

Apps that add real-time filters to selfies and videos are growing in popularity, and today Facebook announced the acquisition of the team behind MSQRD, a much-downloaded live filter app available on iOS and Android devices.

First introduced in January of 2016, MSQRD applies live filters to photos and videos captured with the iPhone's front-facing camera. It includes face swapping capabilities, along with a range of filters and masks that include celebrities, animals, and effects like larger eyes or rabbit ears. Filters like these have been gaining popularity in recent months following their implementation in Snapchat last fall.

msqrd
Apple has made an investment in similar technology, having purchased real-time motion capture firm Faceshift in 2015. Faceshift worked with game and animation studios on technology designed to quickly and accurately capture facial expressions using 3D sensors, which could be used to create real-time video avatars for video chat. It isn't clear what Apple will do with the technology, but it could potentially be incorporated into Photo Booth or FaceTime.

Though the technology has been acquired by Facebook, MSQRD will continue to be available on iOS devices as a standalone product. The app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

jonnysods Avatar
137 months ago
My kids will love this app. They use snapchat and don't even take pics or have friends on their account. They just go through all the filters and laugh themselves silly.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
137 months ago
Hurry and download app before it requires a fb account!
I have none and can't use apps that require fb access.
Also check out BitEmji. Can use regular email for that for now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
137 months ago
What is FB's endgame in this??
To incorporate something from that app or from the technologies the developers of the app have created into one or more of Facebook's apps or services?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
137 months ago
What is FB's endgame in this??
Instagram
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tycho24 Avatar
137 months ago
What is FB's endgame in this??
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
137 months ago
My kids will love this app. They use snapchat and don't even take pics or have friends on their account. They just go through all the filters and laugh themselves silly.
It's pretty fun. The MacRumors team was messing around with it this morning! It's also nice that it's free with no in-app purchases.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Meta

Meta Agrees to Limit Teens' Time on Facebook and Instagram, Calls on TikTok and YouTube to Match

Wednesday August 26, 2026 3:28 pm PDT by
Meta today said it will implement major changes to Facebook and Instagram's child safety features as part of a settlement agreement with almost all U.S. states. Here's what will change for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook if the agreement is approved. Time Limit - Teens will have a two-hour daily time limit on Facebook and Instagram, though it can be overridden by a parent. The...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...