FaceTime comes with a nifty feature that automatically enlarges the tiles when people start talking. Apple calls it Automatic Importance, and this functionality can be indispensable when dozens of people intervene. But when FaceTime group calls get crowded, you might want to stop the tiles from resizing or moving around the screen on your iPhone or iPad. .
In group calls, people often talk about each other and this can be annoying when Auto-Attract is enabled. The constant resizing and mixing of tiles is not a pretty sight. If you don’t like the feature, find it confusing, or want to stop using it before an important group conversation, consider turning it off.
So, let’s see how you can stop the tiles from resizing or moving in a FaceTime group by disabling Auto-Attention. You’ll also find solutions to a few other minor FaceTime related issues, so keep reading.
Update Software on iPhone and iPad
Before disabling automatic resizing or moving of tiles in FaceTime group, you must update your iPhone or iPad to at least iOS 13.5 or iPadOS 13.5 respectively. Otherwise, you won’t find the option to turn off Auto Highlight in FaceTime Settings.
To make sure your device is up to date, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap General, then tap About. You should see the current version of iOS or iPadOS listed next to Software Version.
If you have installed iOS/iPadOS 13.4 or earlier, return to the previous screen, tap Software Update, and then tap Download and Install to keep your device updated with the latest system software.
If your device is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, you can proceed by disabling Auto-Display in FaceTime.
Disable Auto Highlight on iPhone and iPad
To disable Auto-Boost for Group FaceTime calls, you should dive briefly into the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. After turning the feature off, FaceTime tiles will no longer automatically resize or move around the screen the next time you join a group call.
Again, to turn off Automatic Importance, you need to update your iPhone or iPad to at least iOS 13.5 or iPadOS 13.5 or higher.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Scroll down the Settings screen and tap the option labeled FaceTime.
Stage 3: Find the section labeled Auto-Speak, and then turn off the switch next to Speech.
Auto Significance is now disabled. Although you have stopped FaceTime from resizing tiles automatically, you can manually zoom in on people by tapping the tiles.
If you want to enable the feature later, follow the steps above and turn on the switch next to Conversation under Auto Importance.
Other FaceTime Settings to Turn Off
Besides Automatic Importance, FaceTime has a few other privacy and functionality-related default settings that you might want to turn off.
Disable Siri Suggestions
By default, Siri “learns” from FaceTime as you use the app over time. This causes it to make specific suggestions on the Lock screen, such as who to call at certain times of the day. This can be annoying and even harmful to your privacy.
To stop these suggestions, go to iPhone/iPad Settings > FaceTime > Siri & Search. Turn off the switch next to Show Siri Suggestions under On Lock Screen.
Also, turn off the switch next to Learn from This App if you want to stop Siri from tracking your FaceTime activity patterns in the first place.
Close Live Photos
While on a Facetime video call, almost anyone can take a live photo of you with a simple tap on the Shutter icon.
If you’re not comfortable with this, go to iPhone/iPad Settings > FaceTime, then turn off the switch next to FaceTime Live Photos.
This should prevent others from taking your live photos.
Stop iPhone Calls on iPad
If you use FaceTime on iPhone and iPad, you may not want to start bothering with incoming FaceTime calls on your iPhone, especially on your iPhone’s cellular account.
It’s pretty easy to stop this behavior. On your iPad, go to Settings > FaceTime, then turn off the switch next to Calls from iPhone. However, this prevents you from using the iPhone’s cellular account to make calls from your iPad.
No More Disorientation
With FaceTime’s ability to engage in group calls with up to 32 people at once, implementing Auto Importance makes sense. While this feature can help you focus, the reverse is true: Tiles that resize and move too often can mess things up.
Apple correctly provided the ability to turn off Auto Importance. And if you start missing the feature, it’s pretty easy to turn the thing back on.
Next: FaceTime is limited to Apple devices only. Here are 6 great apps you can use to make video calls with both Apple and Android users.
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