How to send animated reactions on FaceTime

APPLE has introduced secret ‘hand signals’ that iPhone owners can use on FaceTime to trigger 3D augmented effects.

The new feature is part of iOS 17 which is available to download on millions of iPhones.

Apple’s native video calling app is adopting the popular iMessage reactions feature.

But instead of being triggered by secret phrases, it can be activated by hand signals.

Users can add a reaction that fills the camera frame with a 3D effect.

For example, a thumbs up can prompt confetti to rain down on the screen.

How to use it

First, hop onto a FaceTime call with a pal or family member.

Then press and hold your video box in the top right hand corner.

Here a box will emerge with a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, balloon, rain cloud, confetti, fireworks and sparkles.

Each symbol you select will appear on the screen for you and whoever is on the other side of the FaceTime call for a few seconds.

To use enact these effects with hand gestures, follow this guide:

• Thumbs up = hold a thumbs up in real life
• Thumbs down = hold thumbs down
• Hearts = make a love heart with both hands
• Balloons = throw a peace sign
• Rain = hold two thumbs down
• Confetti = make two peace signs with both hands
• Fireworks = hold two thumbs up
• Lasers = throw the rocker symbol on both hands

Remember these hand gestures must be in view of the camera.

But they even work when a memoji is being used.

There are two things to note with this feature, however.

It only works when using the front camera, according to Apple.

The feature is also only be available on iPhone 12 models and beyond, as they are the only handsets capable of downloading iOS 17.

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