How To Use Portrait Mode in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad

If you have iOS 15 or higher, you can use portrait mode when talking on FaceTime. Portrait mode improves lighting, smoothes out facial features, and generally helps you look better and brighter, and can blur the background.

Many of us have long used video calls to keep in touch with friends and family. iPhone offers a convenient and popular ‘video chat’ function – FaceTime. Starting with iOS 15, you’ll also be able to use FaceTime on non-Apple devices using a web link.

Have you ever come across a situation where you don’t want other people to see what’s behind you during a video call? In iOS 15, it became possible to use portrait mode during a FaceTime call, which allows you to blur the background during a conversation. This also works in other video calling apps like Skype or Google Meet.

What devices can use FaceTime portrait mode?

Before you try using portrait mode to blur the background during FaceTime calls, you should know that this feature is only available on certain device models. Portrait Mode in FaceTime is currently available on iPhones and iPads with A12 Bionic processors or higher. But don’t worry, it’s a very long list! Here are all the iPhone and iPad models that can use portrait mode in FaceTime:

iPhone:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2022)

It is safe to assume that the upcoming iPhone 14 will also allow the use of portrait mode in FaceTime and other video calls.

iPad:

• iPad Air (3rd gen)
• iPad Air (4th gen)
• iPad Air (5th gen)
• iPad mini (5th gen)
• iPad mini (6th gen)
• iPad Pro 11 дюймів (2018 and newer)
• iPad Pro 12,9 дюймів (2018 and newer)
• iPad (8th gen)
• iPad (9th gen)
• iPad Pro (2021)

Now, without further ado, here’s how to use portrait mode in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad.

How to activate portrait mode during a FaceTime call

1. Start FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make a FaceTime call to any of your contacts.
3. Click on watch your video in the bottom right. This will enlarge it and show you all the available options.
4. Click the Portrait Mode button (the little man icon) in the upper left corner.

Actually, that’s all you need to know about how to use portrait mode in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad. With portrait mode turned on, everything behind you will be blurred during a FaceTime call, so others won’t be able to see your room, photos on the wall, or other personal items. Even a cluttered room looks better if it is washed out to create a soft and cozy background. Here’s a comparison:

How to use Control Center to switch FaceTime portrait mode

Another way to access the portrait mode switch is to use the Control Center.

1. Start FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make a FaceTime call to any of your contacts.
3. Enable Control Center:
   • On a device with Face ID or without a Home button, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
   • On a Touch ID device with a Home button, swipe up from the center of the bottom of the screen.
   • In the upper left corner of the Control Center, you will see the Video Effect option.
4. Tap or press and hold the video to expand the menu.
5. Turn the portrait mode switch to ON.

Portrait mode will work with any video calling app

As already mentioned, if you do not use FaceTime, in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 the portrait mode function is not limited to the Apple ‘caller’. You can use the option in other apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp and others. You may have to use Control Center to switch to portrait mode if the app doesn’t have a call activation button.

Read also: How to troubleshoot FaceTime on iPhone and iPad

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