iOS 17.4 includes a new developer API to optionally disable hand gesture reactions in third-party videoconferencing apps like Google Meet by default.
UPDATE: Apple has confirmed that third-party video apps can disable gesture reactions. “Developers can control the default behavior of reactions,” according to developer documentation. “This is controlled per application and user choice will override application declared defaults.” The original article continues below.
You can already turn off hand gesture reactions: Open Control Center on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, press the Video Effects control and disable Reactions. The problem is, you must do so while on the call or the control won’t even show up.
This isn’t immediately obvious, leading to lots of accidental triggers of augmented reality reactions in inappropriate situations. Apple wants to fix this by letting developers disable hand gesture reactions in their video-calling apps by default.
iOS 17.4 could let developers disable hand gesture reactions on video calls
Alongside iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4, Apple is releasing a new API that allows videoconferencing apps to turn off the gesture-based reactions by default in their apps, according to information obtained by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. We have not yet confirmed if Apple has also made the API available for macOS 14.4.
Apple introduced hand gesture video reactions with iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma. By performing a gesture like a thumbs-up, you trigger animated augmented reality reactions such us showing fireworks or lasers.
Video reactions work in FaceTime and compatible third-party apps, like Google Meet. Because they’re enabled by default and not everyone knows how to turn them off, some folks would accidentally invoke cheesy 3D animations at an inopportune time, like an important business call or an online therapy session.
A case of bad UI design
This is a real concern, so much so that telehealth provider SimplePractice had to update its FAQ with a line stating that animated reactions aren’t a feature of its platform. “We don’t have control over these settings for iOS,” it reads.
With this rumored new API, developers like SimplePractice should be able to disable AR reactions in their apps to prevent embarrassing moments like triggering virtual confetti during a telehealth video call. Apple is currently testing iOS 17.4 and other OS updates and will release them to the public in March.