iOS 12 FaceTime Visual Effects and Features

Apple introduced a major overhaul to its video calling platform with iOS 12, adding interactive camera effects directly into FaceTime calls for the first time. This update allowed users to personalize live video feeds using dynamic digital overlays, stylistic camera filters, animated stickers, and customized avatars. Below is an overview of the visual effects available in FaceTime on iOS 12 and the hardware required to use them.

Memoji and Animoji Integration

FaceTime in iOS 12 allowed users to replace their real face with an Animoji or custom Memoji in real time during a call. Using the TrueDepth camera system, the avatar mirrors facial expressions, eye movements, and head tilts, complete with the user's real voice. This feature was exclusive to devices with TrueDepth camera sensors, such as the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Real-Time Video Filters

iOS 12 brought built-in artistic filters to the live FaceTime camera feed. Users could apply stylistic looks across the entire screen during a conversation without interrupting the call. The available filters included:

  • Comic Book: Outlines faces and objects with heavy, cel-shaded ink lines and high-contrast color.
  • Comic Mono: A black-and-white variation of the comic book look.
  • Ink: A sketched, hand-drawn black-and-white look.
  • Watercolor: A soft, painterly filter with blended colors.
  • Color and Black & White Styles: Classic vintage, film, and high-contrast monochrome tones.

Text Labels and Speech Bubbles

Users could place dynamic text labels, callout banners, and comic-style speech bubbles over their video stream. These text elements could be customized with typed messages and dragged anywhere on the screen. When placed near the user's face, certain text boxes tracked head movements automatically.

Stickers and Shapes

FaceTime integrated directly with the iMessage App Store sticker ecosystem. Users could place various elements onto their video feed:

  • iMessage Stickers: Any downloaded third-party or Apple-created iMessage sticker pack could be stamped directly onto the call.
  • Shapes: Stars, arrows, hearts, and doodle effects.
  • Activity Badges: Apple Watch users could display their earned Activity awards directly on the screen.

Similar to text labels, stickers could either remain static on the screen or attach to the user, moving dynamically along with their facial motions.

Hardware Compatibility

While iOS 12 brought these visual effects to the platform, full functionality required newer hardware. Memoji and Animoji required a device with a TrueDepth camera (iPhone X or later). Standard camera filters, text effects, and stickers required an iPhone 7 or later, iPad Pro, iPad (6th generation), or iPad mini 5. Devices older than these could receive and view the visual effects sent by other callers, but could not generate them locally.