Apple released iOS 17 in 2023, bringing many new features, including custom contact posters, an expandable Messages menu, and smarter autocorrect. Since then, Apple has continued to expand FaceTime’s capabilities through subsequent iOS updates, with iOS 27 expected to have more features when it arrives in fall 2026. iOS 17 also introduced the “F” button for FaceTime calls on iPhones, but what that button actually does isn’t immediately obvious from the icon.
During a FaceTime video call, you may have spotted a tiny, stylized “F” button labeled “Portrait” at the bottom of the screen when you tap your own video preview. When you click the button, the background of your video blurs while you stay in focus, similar to how you can blur the background of photos using Portrait mode in the iPhone Camera app. Below we explain exactly what the “F” button does, how it works, and how to easily adjust the strength of the blur effect.
What is the “F” button on FaceTime for?
The “F” button available during FaceTime video calls activates Portrait mode, which creates a depth of field effect. It keeps people (or objects) sharp in the foreground while blurring the background, much like the background blur feature available during video calls in apps like Google Meet.
The stylized “F” button is actually an f-stop icon. In photography, a f-stop (or f-number) measures the width of a camera’s lens aperture and, therefore, the amount of light that enters the camera. Lower f-stop values are better for portraits because they let more light into the camera, making the background blurrier and the subject stand out, while higher values produce less blur. The FaceTime “F” button references this concept by applying a similar, albeit simulated, depth of field effect.
To enable Portrait mode, tap your video preview to expand it, then select the Portrait/”F” button from the menu at the bottom of the screen (it should be next to the Studio Light button). Once enabled, Portrait mode blurs your background while keeping you in focus. This feature is especially useful if you want to draw attention to yourself rather than your surroundings. It can also help screen out a cluttered room or add an extra layer of privacy by making your background less visible during a call.
How to Adjust Portrait Mode Blur in FaceTime
On a traditional camera, adjusting the aperture changes the depth of field and, therefore, the amount of background blur. Although Apple doesn’t let you manually adjust a virtual aperture, you can adjust the intensity of FaceTime’s background blur.
To do this, start a FaceTime call and enable Portrait mode. Next, swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen to open Control Center. Tap the “FaceTime Controls” button at the top of your screen to access FaceTime’s audio and video settings, then select Portrait in Video next to your live video preview.
This opens a depth slider that lets you adjust the strength of the background blur while previewing the adjustments in real time. Moving the slider to the right increases the blur effect, while moving it to the left sharpens the background. Adjust the slider as desired, then exit the Control Center and continue your call.
