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Notes On the New Mac Background Replacement Feature
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Does this only apply to the latest Mac hardware? I have a Mac Mini, and in FaceTime, I do not see the icon showing a screen with a person or any of the other screenflowhelper icons.
Graham: You need one of Apple's webcams. Since a Mac mini doesn't have one, then I assume you are using a third-party camera so this probably won't work for you.
Thanks bunches
Gary, longtime viewer delurking momentarily to let you know that my 4 year old Logitech webcam connected to my M2 mini seems to handle the backgrounds just fine in the Facetime, QuickTime and Photo Booth scenarios in -however, not so in iMovie where it is not listed under cameras. In QuickTime a slightly different mechanism though... launching QT opened the Facetime icon in the menu bar where I could make the background selections. Thanks for all you do!
can't see the icon of the screen with a person in it, so Icant turn it on. Where do I look?
Gil: Is your camera active right now (FaceTime showing you, etc?). Are you sure you are using macOS Sequoia?
Good grief, Gary! This tip was SO useful I had to become one of your Patreon supporters - at long last. I've taken all I can from you! Now I've got to give back, just a little. :-) You make me better on my Mac. The folks at Apple should hire you or at least pay you to be a consultant. Your videos are so so very helpful. And I thought I was a pro. You make me feel like an amateur - and I'm happy about it. You help me rock my Mac. Thank you thank you thank you.
Jeff: Thanks for your support!
Gary, I have a new 15 inch MacBook running Sonoma, but, when I turn on FaceTime a square, which allows me to choose background replacement does not show up. What gives?
Carl: This is for macOS Sequoia. I say that at the very start of the video
I meant to say Sequoia. But after fiddling with it a while, I realized when I clicked on the FaceTime icon there was a drop-down video where I could choose a background sometimes they just make it easier before your videos come out.
I am running Sequoia 15.0.1 and my camera is on. Sorry - should have included that data.
Gil: Sorry I don’t know why it isn’t working for you.
Thank you Gary, very useful!!
Gary, when I add a photo to the background of FaceTime, they are all blured. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Tom: Check the other settings there. For instance, Portrait mode will do exactly what you describe.
I'd like to resize some of my images to better serve as backgrounds but I can't locate any of the sample backgrounds to serve at a template. Any help? Also is it possible to expand beyond the 9 image matrix presented by the grid? I like the feature but would like to fine tune it. Thanks
Bob: I don't know if there is an ideal size, but I would simply experiment with sizes like 1920x1080, though I don't think it would hurt just to use the images at the maximum size you have. There are no hidden options here for controls or the grid.
Gary, That is spot on. It was set to Portrait mode. Thanks!
Hi Gary,
I have a third-party camera plugged in an USB-A on my Mac mini and it's working.
I have an M1 Max MBP running Sequoia. I can set a gradient but trying to select either of the other two tabs (wall paper / pictures) just bloops at me, and doesn't change the tab. Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas?
I've got the same issue as xcapee. M1 max MBP. I can only select between the 9 gradients. I get an error beep trying to select the other tabs.