How to Use Effects in FaceTime

When using Apple's FaceTime app, you can apply camera effects while on a video call, including built-in filters, stickers, labels, and shapes.

‌FaceTime‌ camera effects can be used on these devices: iPhone 7, ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ 8, ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ X, ‌iPhone‌ XS, ‌iPhone‌ XS Max, ‌iPhone‌ XR, ‌iPhone‌ 11, ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and later models.

If you have a supported device, simply follow the steps below to get started using camera effects in ‌FaceTime‌.

How to Apply a Filter in a FaceTime Video Call

1. Open the FaceTime app on your ‌iPhone‌ make a video call.
2. When the call has connected, tap the star-shaped Effects icon in the image of yourself (if you don't see it, tap the screen).
3. Tap the Filter button (the second icon from the left) in the effects strip above the main ‌FaceTime‌ controls.
   
   

4. Change your appearance by tapping a filter at the bottom – swipe left or right to preview them.

How to Add a Text Label in a FaceTime Video Call

1. Open the FaceTime app on your ‌iPhone‌ make a video call.
2. When the call has connected, tap the star-shaped Effects icon in the image of yourself (if you don't see it, tap the screen).
3. Tap the Label button (the third icon from the left) in the effects strip above the main ‌FaceTime‌ controls.
4. While the label is selected, type the text you want to appear in the label, then tap away from it.
   
   

5. Drag the label to where you want to place it on the camera display.
6. To delete the label, tap it, then tap the X icon.

How to Add Stickers in a FaceTime Video Call

1. Open the FaceTime app on your ‌iPhone‌ make a video call.
2. When the call has connected, tap the star-shaped Effects icon in the image of yourself (if you don't see it, tap the screen).
3. Tap one of the stickers buttons – they're the three rightmost icons in the effects strip above the main ‌FaceTime‌ controls.
4. Tap a sticker to add it to the call.
   
   

5. Drag the label to where you want to place it on the camera display.
6. To delete the sticker, tap it, then tap the X icon.

How to Add Shapes to a FaceTime Video Call

1. Open the FaceTime app on your ‌iPhone‌ make a video call.
2. When the call has connected, tap the star-shaped Effects icon in the image of yourself (if you don't see it, tap the screen).
3. Tap the Shapes button (the middle icon represented by a squiggle) in the effects strip above the main ‌FaceTime‌ controls.
4. Tap a shape to add it to the call.
   
   

5. Drag the shape to where you want to place it on the camera display.
6. To delete the sticker, tap it, then tap the X icon.

To learn how to use Animoji and Memoji characters in ‌FaceTime‌, click here.