What Is Apple’s Center Stage?
Center Stage is a technology that works with the ultra-wide 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera first included with the 2021 iPad Pro to keep everyone (whether it’s one person or a group) centered in the frame during video calls. The technology works by sending just the part of the image you or a group are actually in. Center Stage uses machine learning technology to recognize and focus on your face and make adjustments on the fly to ensure you’re always in the center of the frame. If you get up and walk around during a FaceTime call, Center Stage is capable of recognizing you are moving and keeps the camera focused on you. It can also recognize when another person enters the camera’s field of view and automatically adjust to keep both people in the frame.
How to Use Center Stage
If you have a supported device, then you can use Center Stage. It will kick in automatically whenever you use FaceTime when it’s enabled. You don’t have to do anything, as Center Stage works seamlessly in the background to keep you in the center of the frame. While Center Stage works automatically, you can turn it off. If it doesn’t seem to work for you, it may not be on, or your device might not support the feature.
How to Enable Center Stage on an iPad
You can enable Center Stage in FaceTime settings.
How to Enable Center Stage During a FaceTime Call
You can also turn Center Stage on while you’re in a FaceTime call. If you need to get up and walk around, and you want the camera to stay focused on you, then make sure to turn the feature on first. Here’s how to enable Center Stage during a FaceTime call:
How to Turn Off Center Stage on an iPad
You can disable Center Stage through the Settings menu, and you can also toggle it off during a FaceTime call. Here’s how to turn off Center Stage via Settings.
How to Disable Center Stage During a FaceTime Call
If you want Center Stage to stop following you around during a FaceTime call, you can toggle it off from inside the FaceTime app. You might do this if you’re having a one-on-one conversation with people in the background; otherwise, Center Stage will automatically zoom and crop to include anyone it sees, even if they aren’t participating in the call. Here’s how to disable Center Stage during a FaceTime call:
How to Enable Center Stage for Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, and Other Video Chat Apps
Center Stage works with many apps other than FaceTime, but you have to enable it individually for each app. There is no global Center Stage setting, so you need to access the settings for each app and activate the toggle. The process works the same for each, with the only difference being you need to select the app you want to use from the main iOS Settings menu. Here’s how to enable Center Stage for Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, and other compatible video chat apps:
