Blur the background behind you on a Mac video call

Why it happens

Portrait is a video effect built into macOS, so it works in FaceTime and most other video apps. It only appears while an app is using the camera, which is why you won't find it in System Settings. It needs a Mac with Apple silicon, or an iPhone used as your Mac's camera.

How to fix it

1. Open your video app and turn your camera on, for example by starting a call or opening the camera preview.

2. Look for the Video icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. It appears while the camera is in use. Click it, then click Portrait so it's highlighted.

   Menu bar›Video

3. Check your preview. The background should blur within a second. To turn it off later, click Portrait again in the same menu.

Still not fixed?

1. If Portrait is greyed out or missing, your Mac may have an Intel chip, which doesn't support it. Using your iPhone as the camera with Continuity Camera adds the effect.

2. Video effects are set separately in each app. If the blur works in one app but not another, start the camera in that app and turn Portrait on again from the Video icon.

3. If the blur looks doubled or patchy, your video app may have its own background setting switched on too. Turn one of them off.

4. If nothing changes, quit the video app with Command-Q, open it again and start the camera before opening the Video menu.

5. Make sure your Mac is up to date in General > Software Update, as video effects get fixes there.

   General›Software Update

6. If the camera picture itself is black or frozen, or Portrait still won't work on an Apple silicon Mac, contact Apple Support.