iOS 17 has been with us for several months but many iPhone users are only just discovering some of its new features. One of those are the iOS WhatsApp hand gestures which add a new dimension to your video calls.
While mainly intended for use with Apple’s FaceTime app, the new hand gestures actually work in third-party video calling apps, too. This means that those who prefer to use WhatsApp to stay in touch can use them just the same as someone who uses FaceTime.
So, what are iOS WhatsApp hand gestures and how do you use them?
What are iOS WhatsApp hand gestures?
By using easy hand movements within the WhatsApp and FaceTime apps (as well as other third-party video conferencing apps), you have the ability to incorporate reactions that bring entertaining, three-dimensional augmented reality effects to the forefront of the camera frame.
These effects include hearts, balloons, fireworks, and other fun elements.
How to turn on hand gesture reactions
Enabling iOS WhatsApp and FaceTime hand gesture reactions is easy.
To check that they’re enabled, enter a video call on your chosen app and open the Control Center.
Look for the ‘Effects’ button in the top left – if ‘Reactions’ is listed, then hand gestures are enabled.
If not, press the ‘Effects’ button and turn on the ‘Reactions’ effects, as well as anything else you want.
How to do iOS WhatsApp hand gestures
To do hand gestures in FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other video calling apps, simply throw up one of the following gestures to get the corresponding reaction effect:
- Love heart gesture – Heart effect
- Thumbs-up gesture – Thumbs-up effect
- Thumbs-down gesture – Thumbs-down effect
- Peace gesture – Balloons effect
- Two thumbs-down gesture – Rain effect
- Two peace gesture – Confetti effect
- Two horn-hands (rock-and-roll) gesture – Laser burst effect
- Two thumbs-up gesture – Fireworks effect
Did you find this guide on iOS hand gestures useful? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Tech articles…
