Like other popular apps, WhatsApp has a series of filters and backgrounds to enrich and brighten up your video calls. Fun and highly anticipated features to personalize your conversations!
Despite its popularity – two billion users worldwide! –, WhatsApp is behind its competitors when it comes to video calls, a flagship function of instant messaging. It is in fact missing a function that is found for example in Google Meet and Microsoft Teams and which has made TikTok and Snapchat successful: filters. These are simply visual effects generally in augmented reality which allow, depending on the case, to correct defects on a face using virtual makeup or even to integrate crazy elements such as rabbit ears, a clown nose , stars, etc.
But this gap has finally been filled! As Meta announces in a blog postthe platform is gradually rolling out augmented reality filters and backgrounds for video calls. A function which had already been spotted during previous betas and which will therefore be available to everyone, on Android as well as on iOS, in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp filters: more fun video calls
WhatsApp accommodates exactly 10 filters and ten backgrounds. The filters work like those found on Instagram. You can change the overall color of the video or give it a tone. You can choose between the following filters: warm, cool, black and white, skylight, dreamlike, light prism, fisheye, vintage TV, frosted glass and two-tone.
You can now take advantage of a tool to change the background during calls, like what Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer. This will be particularly useful for group video conferences, since you will be able to benefit from a little more privacy and personalize your environment. On the background side. You will have the choice between blur, living room, office, cafe, pebble, treats, spotted, beach, sunset, celebration and forest.
“Retouch” options are also emerging to improve the appearance of the face. So you can use a retouching tool to smooth your skin and access a low-light mode to improve visibility in low-light environments, “so that you feel more comfortable and confident”.
To access these options during an individual or group video call, select the effects icons at the top right of the screen. The selection of filters and backgrounds will then be displayed, and you just have to choose the one that suits you best.