How to Disable Video Call Reactions on Apple Devices
If you’ve ever been on a video call and noticed thumbs up bubbles or confetti, you’re not alone. Many people attribute these effects to Zoom or WhatsApp, but they are actually an Apple feature integrated into iOS and Mac devices. But fear not, you can easily disable these reactions to avoid distractions during important work calls.
Turning off Video Call Reactions on a Mac
To disable reactions during video calls on your Mac, simply click on the video menu icon located in the top right corner of your screen. Then select the Reactions option from the drop-down menu to turn off reactions for all future video calls.

Disabling Video Call Reactions on an iPhone
If you’re on an iPhone and want to get rid of gesture-based effects during video calls, open the Control Center and tap on the video tab. From there, access the reactions options and turn them off to maintain focus during your calls.

With the release of iOS 17.4, Apple gave third-party video call app developers the option to disable these reactions by default. So if your favorite app has implemented this change, you may not need to manually turn off these effects. Stay focused and productive during your video calls by customizing your settings to your preference.