It might come as a surprise, but iOS 15 allows iPhone and iPad users to enable FaceTime video modes on third-party applications like Instagram and Snapchat. iOS 15 was launched alongside the iPhone 13 in Sept. 2021. Since its arrival, Apple has added many new features to iOS 15, including Face ID with a Mask, Universal Control, Focus Modes, Private Relay and more. Earlier this month, Apple also launched the first developer beta of iOS 15.5, a version that will be available to users in the coming days.
With iPhone 13, Apple also launched a new camera feature called Cinematic Mode that allows users to pull focus from one subject to another subject in the frame like professional cameras while maintaining a decent background blur. After shooting a video, users can even edit the depth of field of the focus points in the scene. However, Cinematic Mode is exclusive to iPhone 13. So, is there a way to shoot videos from the front-facing camera with background blur? Yes, albeit not from the main camera application.
By default, Apple provides different audio and video settings that work while using FaceTime. The FaceTime audio settings include three different microphone modes, including Standard, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum. Further, the FaceTime video settings allow users to blur their background (using portrait mode on supported iPhones) and Center Stage (supported iPads). Now, what's interesting is that iOS 15 allows third-party applications to use these audio and video modes, and it works just as fine. This means that users can apply a background blur or enable Center Stage while using applications like WhatsApp or Messenger for a video call or Instagram or Facebook for creating content. Although this hack has been out there for quite some time, there is a good chance that not all users are aware of it.
Use Background Blur On Instagram & Snapchat Videos
While using the front camera to record Reels or Instagram stories, users should swipe down from the top right corner of the display to open Control Center. Then, from the available options, tap on the FaceTime video effects, usually located on the top left portion of the Control Center. On compatible iPhones, users can enable the FaceTime Portrait mode, and on compatible iPads, users can enable Center Stage. On an iPhone, the FaceTime Portrait mode will blur all the elements in the background, keeping the user in focus. This adds a very aesthetic look to the video and is ideal for making content published on social media platforms. Whereas enabling Center Stage and the FaceTime Portrait mode on a supported iPad will track the user's movement while maintaining a decent amount of bokeh, somewhat replicating the results of a tilt and pan camera setup.
Similarly, while creating content that requires narration, users can switch to Voice Isolation mode provided in FaceTime audio settings. In this way, users can record good-quality videos on Instagram, click portrait selfies on Snapchat and share them with friends, and apply a blur to their background during video calls via WhatsApp and while going live on Facebook. In addition, this hack is handy for those who create TikToks for a living. The supported iPhone models include iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, iPhone 11, and newer models. On the other hand, Center Stage is supported by all the latest iPad, including iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation).
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