How to Use Apple Reactions in Google Meet

Google Meet is a fantastic tool for virtual meetings. It offers a range of features to make video calls more interactive and engaging.

The integration of Apple Reactions on Apple devices has recently added a fun and expressive element to any video call.

In this article, you’ll learn what Apple Reactions are, how to turn them on and off, and how to customize these reactions to suit your style.

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What are Apple Reactions?

Apple Reactions are dynamic video effects that appear in your frame during a Google Meet video call. Apple Reactions allow you to express your emotions visually. Apple Reactions are available on the following devices:

• On a Mac: macOS Sonoma or later with Apple silicon
• On a Mac: macOS Sonoma or later using Continuity Camera with iPhone 12 or later
• iPad and iPhone: Running the latest iOS

You can trigger reactions by making specific hand gestures in front of the camera. These reactions help give quick feedback, reduce awkward pauses, and show appreciation or agreement without interrupting the speaker.

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Types of Reactions

Here are the different types of Apple camera reactions available and how to make them appear during your video chat.

‍Hearts: Make a heart sign with two hands.

Image from Apple

Balloons: Hold up two fingers (peace sign).

Image from Apple

Thumbs Up: Hold one thumb up.

Image from Apple

Thumbs Down: Hold one thumb down.

Image from Apple

Rain: Hold two thumbs down.

Image from Apple

Confetti: Hold up two peace signs.

Image from Apple

Fireworks: Hold two thumbs up.

Image from Apple

Lasers: Make horn signs on each hand.

Image from Apple

To display a reaction without hand gestures, click "Reactions" in the menu and choose a reaction button from the submenu.

Image from Apple

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How to Enable Apple Reactions in Google Meet

Apple Reactions are enabled by default for Workspace and Enterprise accounts unless disabled by an admin or host.

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How to Turn Off Apple Reactions in Google Meet

If you need to disable Apple Reactions for all participants, follow these steps:

1. During your video call, navigate to the screen's bottom right corner and click "Host controls" in the menu bar.
2. In the side panel that appears, locate the “Meeting moderation” section.
3. Turn on the "Host management" toggle to gain control over various meeting settings.
4. Under the Host management settings, find the "Send reactions" toggle. Turn this off to disable reactions for all participants.

Once you complete these steps, the Reactions feature will be disabled for the current meeting. Participants will see the Reactions icon but cannot click it, and a message will indicate that reactions are unavailable when they hover over the panel.

Important Notes

• If an admin or host turns off Reactions, the icon remains visible but is not clickable. Hovering over the panel will display a message indicating that reactions aren’t available.
• Admins can turn Reactions on or off for all participants under “Admin control settings.”
• Hosts can turn Reactions on or off for a specific call.

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How to Change Apple Reactions in Google Meet

Customizing your Apple Reactions settings lets you personalize how you interact during a video call. Follow these steps to adjust your settings:

1. Select "More options" then "Settings" in the menu bar.
2. In the Settings menu, tap on "Reactions".
3. You can now turn on or off various settings according to your preference:

• Get reactions from others: Choose whether you want to see reactions from other participants.
• Set animations: Enable or disable animations for reactions.
• Set notification sounds: Turn notification sounds on or off for reactions.
• Set emoji skin tone: Choose your preferred skin tone for emoji reactions.

These adjustments allow you to control how reactions appear and sound during your video calls, creating a more personalized and comfortable meeting environment. To explore more ways to improve your Google Meet experience, visit our article on Google Meet extensions.

Remember, turning off reactions in your settings only affects your personal experience and does not disable reactions for other participants.

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Why Are My Apple Reactions Not Showing Up on Google Meet?

If your Apple Reactions are not showing up, several factors might be causing this issue. Here are some common reasons and solutions:

Device Compatibility

Ensure you are using a compatible device. Apple Reactions require macOS Sonoma or later on a Mac with Apple silicon, macOS Sonoma with Continuity Camera on iPhone 12 or later, or the latest iOS on iPad and iPhone.

Software Update

Your device must be running on the latest software update. Outdated versions of macOS or iOS may not support Apple Reactions.

Meeting Settings

Reactions might be disabled in your Google Meet settings. Ensure that Reactions are enabled in the video menu. If you're the host, navigate to "Host controls" and ensure the "Send reactions" toggle is turned on.

Admin or Host Restrictions

If you use a Workspace or Enterprise account, the admin or host might have disabled Reactions for the meeting. In this case, contact your admin or host to verify if the feature has been turned off.

Gestures Not Recognized

Make sure you make the correct hand gestures in front of the camera. Specific gestures trigger Apple Reactions, so ensure your camera can see your hands clearly.

Video Menu Settings

You can manually select reactions from the video menu if you prefer not to use hand gestures. Click the arrow next to "Reactions" in the video menu and choose a reaction button from the submenu.

By troubleshooting these areas, you can determine why your Apple Reactions are not appearing and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.

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Improve Your Google Meet Experience with Apple Reactions

Apple Reactions add a fun and expressive dimension to your video call, making it easier to communicate emotions and feedback.

Understanding how to enable, customize, and disable these reactions can help you tailor your meeting experience better. Explore the various settings to maximize this feature and ensure your video chats are engaging and interactive.

For additional tips on optimizing Google Meet, check out Google Meet - The Complete Guide for a Perfect Meeting.