WhatsApp Introduces Filters and Backgrounds for Your Video Calls

WhatsApp Introduces Filters and Backgrounds for Your Video Calls

Like other popular apps, WhatsApp is rolling out a series of filters and backgrounds to enhance and brighten up your video calls. These fun, highly anticipated features allow you to personalize your conversations!

Despite its global popularity – with two billion users worldwide – WhatsApp has lagged behind competitors when it comes to video calls, a key feature of instant messaging. It's been missing something that's already found in Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, and which has contributed to the success of apps like TikTok and Snapchat: filters. These visual effects, often in augmented reality, allow users to correct facial imperfections with virtual makeup or add fun elements like rabbit ears, clown noses, stars, and more.

Fortunately, this gap has now been filled! As Meta announced in a blog post, WhatsApp is gradually rolling out augmented reality filters and backgrounds for video calls. This feature, which was spotted during previous beta tests, will soon be available to everyone on both Android and iOS in the coming weeks.

WhatsApp Filters: More Fun Video Calls

WhatsApp now offers exactly 10 filters and 10 backgrounds. The filters work similarly to those on Instagram, allowing you to change the overall color tone of your video. You can choose between the following filters: Warm, Cold, Black and White, Skylight, Dreamlike, Light Prism, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted Glass, and Two-Tone.

You can also enjoy a tool to change the background during calls, similar to features in Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. This will be especially useful for group video conferences, as it offers more privacy and lets you personalize your environment. For backgrounds, you can choose from options like Blur, Living Room, Office, Coffee Shop, Pebbles, Treats, Speckled, Beach, Sunset, Celebration, and Forest.

"Retouch" options are also making their debut, allowing you to enhance your appearance. A retouch tool lets you smooth your skin, and a low-light mode improves visibility in darker environments, so "you can feel more comfortable and confident."

To access these features during a one-on-one or group video call, simply select the effects icons at the top right of the screen. This will bring up a selection of filters and backgrounds, so you can choose the one that best suits your mood or environment.