Disabling Apple video reactions from Zoom video calls

In macOS Sonoma 14 and iOS 17, Apple introduced video reactions, such as thumbs up, hearts, balloons, and confetti, that overlay on your video during meetings when you make hand gestures. Depending on your macOS or iOS settings, these video effects may appear in your Zoom meetings, but are not controlled by Zoom.

Apple’s video reactions feature is separate and distinct from Zoom’s meeting reactions and gesture recognition features that are part of the Zoom application and meeting experience.

Note: Zoom is working with Apple to provide a mechanism to control the macOS video reactions from the Zoom web portal and Zoom Rooms Controller. This article will be updated as more information is made available.

Prerequisites for removing Apple video reactions on Zoom meetings

How to prevent balloons, confetti, hearts, and other Apple video reactions from displaying on your video in Zoom

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To disable the Apple video reactions feature, you must edit your macOS or iOS settings. Visit Apple’s user guides for more information:

Learn how to disable this feature while you’re in a Zoom meeting.

On the Zoom desktop app or Zoom Room for macOS, you can quickly disable reactions during a test meeting or live meeting.

  1. While your video is on during a live Zoom meeting or test meeting, locate the green video icon in the Apple menu bar.
    Note: If you are screen sharing (such as your desktop or what's displayed on an external monitor), click the purple screen share icon in the menu bar, then if applicable, click zoom.us.
  2. Locate the name of the camera you’re using and click Reactions to turn the feature off.
  3. Click anywhere on your screen to go back to the meeting.

iOS

On the Zoom mobile app for iOS or iPadOS, you can quickly disable reactions during a test meeting or live meeting.

  1. While your video is on during a live Zoom meeting or test meeting, open your device’s Control Center.
  2. Tap Video Effects.
  3. Tap Reactions to turn the feature on or off.