How To Disable Automated Reactions in Video Conference Calls on Apple Devices

When using Apple devices, including some iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs, users will find a new feature that is automatically enabled allowing reactions to populate based on hand gestures.

Reactions is a feature supplied by an update from Apple on devices with macOS Sonoma or later on a Mac with Apple silicon, or macOS Sonoma or later on a Mac using Continuity Camera with iPhone 12 or later.

When the feature is enabled on the device, if a user is participating in a conference call in many video conference applications such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or FaceTime, reactions will appear on camera based on the participants hand gestures. For example, if a participant shows a thumbs up on screen a Thumbs Up icon will appear on screen. Some other gestures include balloons floating on screen when a participant shows a victory sign (peace sign).

If these gestures are troublesome the feature can be disabled.

To Disable Reactions on your iOS17-enabled iPhone or iPad

Start a test call and swipe down for the control center
Tap Video Effects Reactions
Tap the Reactions button to disable them.

To Disable Reactions on Your MacOS Sonoma

Start a test call on your computer
Select the camera icon at the top of the screen
Click Reactions to disable the feature
The Reactions feature will be disabled on your MacOS Sonoma device

For more information see Use Reactions, Presenter Overlay, and other effects when videoconferencing on Mac - Apple Support