iOS 17: What the F Button Does in FaceTime + All New FaceTime Features

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Plus, a list of the new FaceTime features in iOS 17

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: May 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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FaceTime "F" Button Meaning

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How to Adjust the "F" Button Effects

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iOS 17 FaceTime Updates

If you are a frequent FaceTime user, you might have noticed a new "F" button after updating to iOS 17. This "F" button in FaceTime makes the background of your video blurry, similar to when you're taking a photo in Portrait mode. In this article, we'll go over what this button does, how to adjust the blurriness of your background when using it, and list more FaceTime updates from iOS 17.

What the "F" Button Means in FaceTime

If you tap the "F" button in FaceTime, the background of your video will get blurry while the foreground will stay in focus. This effect looks similar to a depth-of-field effect you can get on a digital camera when you adjust the aperture/f-stop, and helps frame your face and body better in a FaceTime call.

Section 1 of 3:

FaceTime "F" Button Meaning

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The "F" button in FaceTime adds a depth-of-field effect to your call. When you tap the "F" button, the background of your video will turn blurry while anything in the foreground (including yourself) will remain sharp.
- You may see this referred to as aperture, or f-stop (as the button has an "F" like the "F" in f-stop), which are both terms used in photography.
- Adjusting the aperture/f-stop of a camera lens is what causes the depth-of-field effect. On the iPhone, this effect is simulated, so the "F" button doesn't actually have anything to do with apertures and f-stop.

Section 2 of 3:

How to Adjust the "F" Button Effects

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The background behind you in your video will become blurry, similar to when you're taking a Portrait mode photo.
Make sure not to swipe from the top middle of the screen, as this will open your notifications.
It's in the upper-left corner and has a green icon of a video camera.
It's in the middle of the screen, under the video preview.
The more you move the slider to the left, the blurrier your background will become.

Section 3 of 3:

iOS 17 FaceTime Updates

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iOS 17 added several updates for FaceTime. Besides just adding the "F" button, Apple has added these features and improvements to FaceTime:^{[1]
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- Video messages. With iOS 17, you can now leave video messages when someone doesn't pick up your call.
- Contact posters. The contact poster feature also works with FaceTime, and will show a custom poster when you make a FaceTime call.
- Silence callers you don't know. You can now automatically decline FaceTime calls from people who aren't in your Contacts.
- Reactions and gestures. You can now make fun effects happen on screen by tapping on a reaction or using a gesture—for example, if you make a thumbs up in a FaceTime call, you'll see a fun effect on the screen when you do so.