Most iPhone owners already know that Portrait mode takes photos that create a blurred background while keeping the subject in sharp focus. The big news is that with the arrival of iOS 15, Apple made Portrait mode background blurring an option on FaceTime calls. You need to be running at least iOS 15 on the iPhone and iPad or macOS Monterey 12 on a Mac with Apple Silicon.

To use Portrait mode in FaceTime using an iPhone or iPad, you must first place your call. Once your FaceTime call is answered, simply tap on the video, then on the face icon in the top left corner; these two taps will instantly switch your video to Portrait mode. Turn Portrait mode off using these same methods; Apple makes it so easy.

Another way to turn on the feature when using an iPhone or iPad is via the Control Center. Again, place your FaceTime call and once it is answered, swipe down from the top right corner of the device, then tap on Video Effects > Portrait. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go back to FaceTime. Turn Portrait mode off using these same methods.

If you're on a Mac, click Control Center > Video Effects > Portrait. If the Video Effects feature isn't shown, that means the app you're in doesn't support it. Fortunately, FaceTime is one of the apps that supports the feature on macOS. You may not notice your blurred background at first, but enlarge your own video to see that the background is slightly blurred.