FaceTime is already the preferred video chat platform for most iPhone users. But with the latest iOS 15 update, these brand new features make it an even better experience than it was – and it was already pretty dang good.
1. Portrait Mode
The blurred bokeh effect has been around on photos for ages, but now you can blue your background during video chats too! Just tap on your own bubble while on a call, and you should see an icon in each corner. Tap the icon in the upper left to activate Portrait Mode, and tap again to turn it off. Alternatively, you can also pull down your Control Center and tap where it says “Video Effects” to also turn Portrait Mode on or off.
2. Mic Modes
FaceTime now lets you alter your sound settings to optimize your calling experience. Pull down your Control Center and tap where it says Mic Modes in the upper right corner. Here, you can select either Voice Isolation, which filters out all background noise and only lets in your speaking voice, or Wide Spectrum, which uses AI to select ambient noise from your surroundings as well as your voice.
3. SharePlay
This latest feature came with iOS 15.1, so make sure your phone is entirely up to date before attempting to use it. SharePlay lets you share whatever’s on your screen with your conversation partner with just a few steps. Tap on your screen to call up the toolbar, then tap the icon furthest to the right. That should generate an option that says “Share My Screen.” Tap there, then swipe into whatever you’d like to watch and view together with friends. It’s useful for both watching shows and movies or quickly showing someone a photo without having to text it.
