FaceTime hand gestures allow you to control certain FaceTime features with simple hand motions in front of the camera. However, some users have reported issues getting gestures to work properly after updating to iOS 17. Here are some troubleshooting steps to try if your FaceTime hand gestures are not working on iOS 17.
When Do Issues Arise?
Problems with FaceTime gestures predominantly occur after updating an iPhone model to iOS 17. However, the feature also suddenly stops mid-call in some cases.
Issues appear more prevalent on older generation iPhones like the iPhone XR and 11 series as opposed to the latest iPhone 14 models. This indicates hardware compatibility could also play a role.
FaceTime hand gesture problems also seem device-specific instead of account-specific. For example, disabling FaceTime on one iOS device does not resolve the problem on another.
Restart Your iPhone
The first step is to restart your iPhone. A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that may be preventing FaceTime gestures from functioning.
To restart your iPhone, go to Settings > General and scroll down to the bottom. Tap on “Shut Down” and then restart your iPhone after 10-15 seconds. Give your iPhone some time after booting up before trying to use FaceTime gestures again.
Use the Front Camera
FaceTime gestures will only work when you are using the front-facing TrueDepth camera on compatible iPhone models. Make sure you are not trying to use gestures with the rear camera.
Go into the FaceTime app and check that you are using the front camera. FaceTime gestures require the TrueDepth camera to detect your face and hand motions.
Center Yourself in the Camera Frame
For the best gesture recognition, you need to frame yourself properly in the front camera. Your face should be centered in the frame and your hands need to be visible.
If your face or hands are too far from the camera, or partially cut off on the edges, iOS may have a hard time recognizing your gestures to control FaceTime.
Use the Correct Gestures
Make sure you are using the proper hand motions for each FaceTime gesture supported in iOS 17:
- Swipe up: Increase volume
- Swipe down: Decrease volume
- Swipe left: Mute/unmute yourself
- Swipe right: Switch to grid view
Practice the gestures a few times to get used to the required motions. Swipes need to be deliberate yet controlled for the best recognition.
Toggle FaceTime Gestures On/Off
Try disabling FaceTime gestures and then turning them back on, which can reset the feature and get it working again.
Go to Settings > FaceTime and toggle the “Gestures” switch off. Then go back and enable it again. Test out the gestures in FaceTime again after toggling the feature off and on.
Update to the Latest iOS Version
Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS 17 version. Apple regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance of features like FaceTime.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for any available updates. Download and install the latest iOS update and then test out FaceTime gestures again. The update may include fixes for any gesture issues.
Reset All Settings
If you still can’t get FaceTime gestures working, try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will restore the default settings without erasing any personal data.
To reset settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode if prompted. Your iPhone will reboot and settings will be restored to default.
Resetting all settings can fix software issues, including problems with FaceTime gestures not working properly in iOS 17.
Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and FaceTime gestures still do not work, you may need to contact Apple support for further assistance. Provide details on when the issue started, what troubleshooting you’ve tried, and specifics on the problem.
Apple can run diagnostics, check server logs, and determine if your iPhone requires a software repair or replacement under warranty in case of a hardware issue.
Summary
FaceTime hand gestures not working in iOS 17 can often be fixed by simple troubleshooting like restarting your iPhone, using the front camera, proper hand positioning, toggling the gestures setting off and on, or updating iOS. For persistent issues, resetting your iPhone or contacting Apple support may be required. With the right troubleshooting, you should be able to get FaceTime gestures working again.