Apple
How to turn off FaceTime Reactions in iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac
With its latest iOS 17, iPadOS 17.4, and macOS 17.4 (Sonoma), Apple has introduced 8 hand gestures during video calls in the FaceTime app and other video conferencing apps, which lets you fill your screen with 3D effects. For eg. if you make a heart by joining hands, then you will see that the floating red hearts will arise from the center of your hands as shown in the image below:
As most of the users don’t know that this feature is enabled by default. But sometimes, it creates awkward and embarrassing moments during some important video calls such as business meetings, online therapy, online classes, etc.
Luckily, Apple has come up with a solution for this. Along with the new iOS 17.4 (stable) and iPadOS 17.4 (stable), which is going to be launched by next month i.e. March 2024, Apple is going to release a new API (Application Programming Interface) that allows video conferencing apps to turn off the gesture-based reactions by default in their apps as said by MacRumors Contributor Aaron Perris. Until now, it’s not confirmed whether this API will also be accessible in macOS 14.4.
How to turn off Gesture-based Reactions (FaceTime)
1. On an iPhone or iPad:
- First, you have to open FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
- Then, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to see Control Center.
Note: If you have a Touch ID-based iPhone/ iPad, then Swipe up from the bottom to see Control Center.
- Then, you have to tap on the Effects button which is present in the top-left corner.
- After that, tap on the Reactions button.
- At last, swipe up twice (2 times) to return to FaceTime.
2. On a MacBook or iMac: To turn off FaceTime reactions on a MacBook or iMac, running macOS Sonoma, you have to click on the Reactions button which is present in the FaceTime menu bar.
Do you already know guys, how to disable FaceTime reactions in iOS, iPadOS, iMac, and MacBook? Do let us know in the comment box. Also, do tell us whether you like this post or not.
Featured Image: TapSmart
iOS
iOS 26.4 Beta 3 Released: Apple Rolls Out Revised Developer Build With New Apple Music and Security Updates
Apple Releases Revised iOS 26.4 Beta 3 for Developers
iOS 26.4 Beta 3 has been released by Apple as a revised build for developers, bringing several refinements ahead of the stable public rollout. The update follows the earlier beta version and appears to focus on improving stability, security protections, and Apple Music features.
The revised beta build is currently available to registered developers through the Software Update section in Settings. Apple occasionally pushes revised beta builds when bugs or installation issues are discovered in the original release.
One of the most notable changes in iOS 26.4 Beta 3 is the expansion of messaging security features. Apple is reportedly testing end-to-end encryption support for RCS messaging, which could significantly improve privacy when communicating between iPhone and Android devices.
New Apple Music Features and System Improvements
Another highlight in the update is a new experimental feature inside Apple Music called Playlist Playground. This feature uses AI-driven prompts to generate playlists based on user preferences or mood, making music discovery more interactive.
Apple Music is also gaining a Concerts Near You discovery section. This feature helps users find nearby live music events related to artists they listen to frequently, improving the integration between music streaming and live performances.
Security improvements are also part of the update. Apple has enabled Stolen Device Protection by default, which strengthens security when an iPhone is stolen by requiring biometric authentication for sensitive actions.
In addition, the beta introduces a new Ambient Music widget, allowing users to quickly start relaxing audio from the home screen. Apple has also reportedly made adjustments to sleep tracking metrics to provide more accurate insights for users who rely on the Health ecosystem.
Although these changes are still being tested, they offer a clear look at Apple’s direction with iOS 26.4. The company is focusing on improving privacy, expanding AI-powered features, and enhancing the overall ecosystem experience.
The final version of iOS 26.4 is expected to roll out to the public after Apple completes the developer and public beta testing cycle.
Source: macrumors
Also Read: Motorola Edge 70 Fusion Launched: 144Hz Quad-Curved Display, Snapdragon Chip and Massive Battery
iOS 26.3 update has just been released by Apple and comes with an urgent warning for all iPhone users to install it now. According to the latest reports, the new software fixes 39 known security vulnerabilities, including at least one flaw that may have been actively exploited in attacks, making it critical to update as soon as possible.
Why the iOS 26.3 Update Is Important for Your iPhone Security
Security is at the heart of this release. Apple’s iOS updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that could allow malicious apps or hackers to gain unauthorised access to your device or data. With iOS 26.3, a wide range of weaknesses across the system has been addressed, and some of them could potentially affect sensitive parts of the operating system if left unpatched.
Notably, one of the patched issues was reportedly being used in real-world attacks, which underscores why delaying this update could expose your iPhone to unnecessary risk. Apple’s official support documentation also highlights that keeping your device updated with the latest security content is essential to ensuring your device remains protected.
What the iOS 26.3 Update Fixes and Improves
While this update is primarily focused on fixing security flaws, iOS 26.3 also brings some quality-of-life improvements:
- Improved iPhone-to-Android transfer tool to make switching platforms easier.
- A set of new weather-themed wallpapers and subtle customization tweaks.
- Additional privacy settings that help limit carrier location tracking on certain devices.
These additions show Apple’s commitment to both enhancing device usability and strengthening user protection.
How to Install the iOS 26.3 Update on Your iPhone
Updating your iPhone to iOS 26.3 is straightforward:
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts.
It’s always a good idea to back up your data before installing any major software update.
This update is recommended for all compatible iPhone users to ensure your device remains secure and up-to-date with Apple’s latest patches and enhancements.
Also Read: Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4: Apple Pushes Major AI Upgrade to Future Updates
Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4 has become a major talking point among iPhone users as Apple reportedly hits setbacks in bringing the next era of its intelligent voice assistant to the spring software update cycle. According to new reports from MacRumors and Bloomberg, Apple encountered internal testing issues that could defer many of the redesign improvements to later updates, such as iOS 26.5 and even iOS 27.
Why Siri Features Delayed iOS 26.4 Update Matters
Apple planned iOS 26.4 to introduce a smarter, more personalized version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence and external technologies, but the company has “run into snags” while testing the assistant’s performance and reliability. The issues reportedly include occasional slow responses, mistakes in processing user queries, and dependency on fallback systems instead of expected AI mechanisms.
What Features Are Being Postponed?
Instead of receiving all advanced Siri features with iOS 26.4, users are more likely to see only partial updates initially — possibly limited to smaller enhancements while core AI capabilities arrive later. Apple engineers are now reportedly using internal iOS 26.5 builds in May as a fresh testing ground for these postponed features.
Beyond that, Apple’s broader vision for Siri evolves with iOS 27, where a full AI-driven chatbot experience is expected to compete with services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. This hints at the possibility that the most ambitious elements of Apple’s Siri overhaul won’t land until late 2026 or even into 2027.
What This Means for the iOS Update Timeline
Originally announced in 2024 as a major generational leap for Siri, the personalized and proactive assistant design has already been delayed multiple times. Pushing advanced Siri features beyond iOS 26.4 underscores the challenges Apple faces when merging deep machine learning with real-world voice experience on millions of devices.
Final Thoughts
For many iPhone users, the excitement around Apple’s next Siri release remains strong, but patience will be required. Whether you’re an early adopter or a cautious updater, keeping an eye on Apple’s beta updates and developer releases will be key to understanding when the full scope of Siri’s AI upgrade finally arrives.
Image: Gimini AI
Source: Macrumors
Also Read: Android 17 Beta Officially Confirmed: Powerful New Features and Exciting Upgrades Coming Soon