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.

Requirements for removing Apple video reactions on Zoom meetings

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

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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.

macOS

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.
Zoom Room

When using Zoom Rooms 6.0.0+ on an Apple device running macOS Sonoma 14.4+ or iOS/iPadOS 17.4+, Apple video reactions will be disabled by default.

If you are using macOS Sonoma 14.0-14.3.1, or if Apple video reactions persist after upgrading to macOS 14.4+ with Zoom Rooms 6.0.0+, follow these steps to disable Apple video reactions:

  1. Connect a keyboard and mouse to the Mac running Zoom Rooms.
  2. Using the Zoom Rooms Controller, start a Zoom meeting. It is not necessary for any other participants to join.
  3. On the keyboard, press Command + H. This will minimize the Zoom Room application while the call is in progress.
  4. Use the mouse to click the green video icon in the Apple menu bar.
  5. Locate the name of the camera you’re using and click Reactions to turn the feature off.
  6. Click the Zoom Rooms application icon in the dock to return it to full screen.
  7. End the meeting.
    Apple video reactions will now be disabled for any future meeting.