Learn how to toggle the ability to capture a special moment of your FaceTime video call as a Live Photo on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
iOS supports recording FaceTime calls, but sometimes you wanna save a brief snapshots instead of the whole thing. For those moments, iOS lets you take Live Photos (with audio) during FaceTime calls. For privacy reasons, the other party on the call is notified every time you take a Live Photo of the call.
You can also tighten your privacy further and prevent anyone from taking FaceTime Live Photos in just a few taps, and we show you how.
Take a Live Photo during a FaceTime video call
Hit the white capture button during a FaceTime video call on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to take a Live Photo without any onscreen buttons or other distractions. If the other party has turned off this feature, you’ll see a message letting you know.
If you don’t see the button, tap the screen or move the pointer to reveal in-call controls. You can also take a Live Photo during a group call; just tap the tile of the person whose Live Photo you’d like to take, then hit the white shutter button.
FaceTime Live Photos are automatically saved in the Live Photos section of the built-in Photos app.
Toggle Live Photos in FaceTime
Follow these steps to turn Live Photos in FaceTime on or off.
iPhone and iPad
- Open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom, and choose Apps.
- Select FaceTime from the list of apps.
- Slide the switch for FaceTime Live Photos to the OFF position to prevent others from capturing Live Photos during FaceTime calls. Otherwise, leave the setting turned on.
Mac
- Open the FaceTime app and click FaceTime > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions) in the menu bar.
- Tick or untick the box next to FaceTime Live Photos to allow or disallow Live Photos during FaceTime calls.
If you use FaceTime to keep up with friends and family and want to save interesting moments from your video chats, this is a great feature to have. Don’t forget, you’re always in control and can turn off FaceTime Live Photos at any time.
Do you ever capture Live Photos during FaceTime calls?
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