Video meetings and calls can sometimes feel formal and disconnected. In macOS Sonoma and macOS Sequoia, Apple enhanced FaceTime and third-party video conferencing apps by introducing Video Reactions. Using machine learning and camera depth tracking on Apple Silicon Macs, your physical hand gestures seamlessly trigger cinematic, three-dimensional augmented reality effects—such as floating balloons, bursts of confetti, fireworks, laser light beams, and dramatic rainstorms.
Physical Gestures that Trigger 3D Reactions
You can trigger eight distinct full-frame visual effects simply by performing natural hand gestures within your camera’s field of view:
- Thumbs Up: Displays a floating bubble with a green thumbs-up icon.
- Two Thumbs Up: Launches an exciting, colourful 3D fireworks display behind you.
- Thumbs Down: Displays a subtle thumbs-down reaction bubble.
- Two Thumbs Down: Dims your background and triggers a dramatic, somber rainstorm.
- Peace Sign (V Sign): Releases a vibrant cluster of floating party balloons.
- Two Peace Signs: Triggers an explosion of celebratory confetti cascading down your screen.
- Heart (Two Hands): Radiates glowing, floating red heart animations from your hands.
- Rock On / Horns Sign (Two Hands): Activates dramatic, concert-style laser beam light projections.
Enabling and Controlling Reactions in the Menu Bar
Reactions are controlled through the macOS Video Effects menu item in your top menu bar whenever your camera is active:
- Start a call in FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
- Click the green Video icon in the top macOS menu bar.
- Ensure the Reactions button is highlighted green. If you wish to trigger an effect without hand gestures, click any of the reaction tiles directly from this dropdown menu.
Disabling Accidental Gestures for Professional Calls
During formal business presentations or solemn client consultations, unexpected confetti or laser beams triggered by animated hand motions can be distracting. To prevent accidental triggers, simply click the green Video icon in your menu bar and click Reactions to turn the feature off completely for the duration of your professional meeting.
Video Reactions add playful expression and visual flair to personal FaceTime conversations, making remote video communication more engaging across Mac devices.