How do you turn off the webcam video reactions on your Mac in macOS Sonoma? This feature, which puts full-screen animated effects on your video calls, made a good demo when it was introduced. But after it launched, it confused many people who trigger it accidentally in serious situations.
It works in FaceTime video calls and various other videoconferencing software. However, the Off button isn’t where you might expect. It’s not hiding in Zoom, Skype or Google Meet at all — it’s in the Mac’s menu bar.
Let me show you what’s going on and how you can turn off video reactions on Mac.
How to turn off webcam video reactions on the Mac
Video reactions activate automatically when you make certain gestures with your hands. A double thumbs-up sets off virtual fireworks. Two peace signs throw confetti in the air behind you. Heart hands make big red hearts float above your head. The trouble is that some of these — the thumbs up especially — are easy to trigger when you didn’t mean to.
Table of contents: How to turn off webcam video reactions on the Mac
- Click the camera in your Mac’s menu bar
- Click on the name of the app you’re using
- Click “Reactions” to turn it off
- Bonus Mac webcam tip: Adjust other settings
1. Click the green camera icon in the menu bar
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
While your webcam is being used, you’ll see a green camera icon in your Mac’s menu bar. Click on it.
2. Click on the name of the app you’re using
You might see a few different apps listed along the top — click on the name of the app that’s currently using your camera.
3. Click “Reactions” to turn off video reactions on Mac
If the icon next to “Reactions” is green, click on it to turn it off.
4. Bonus Mac webcam tip: Adjust other settings
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
While you’re in this menu, you might as well do more than simply turn off webcam video reactions. Make the most of your Mac video calls by adjusting some other settings. For example, if you like to blur your background during a call, I recommend you use the Portrait blur effect here instead of the blur effect offered by Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, etc.
Using the Mac-native Portrait blur will deliver better results separating you from the background — especially if you’re using Continuity Camera. It’s available on any Mac with Apple silicon. Click Portrait to turn on the effect, then click the arrow to the right to adjust the level of blur.
If you’re using an iPhone or a Studio Display as your Mac’s webcam, you also can turn on Center Stage. This handy feature keeps the camera centered on everyone in the room, no matter where you are. This feature is perfect for group calls — as in, a bunch of people in one room calling someone else. Click the arrow to the right to toggle between Main and Ultra Wide; the latter sacrifices picture quality for a much wider viewing area.
Other macOS features you might like
If you’re running the latest version of macOS, it’s not all bad news. There are some really great features in there you might like. Here’s our master list.
We originally published this post on how to turn off video reactions on your Mac webcam on October 26, 2023. We updated the information.
