SimplePractice, a telehealth platform, is cautioning patients about a new video reactions feature on Apple devices that could lead to unintentional emoji or animation displays during telehealth video calls. The company has notified patients that Apple devices may show emojis during video calls and that SimplePractice does not have control over these settings. While the reactions feature is a new addition to iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, intended to enhance video calls with hand gestures that trigger specific emoji and animations, it may prove awkward or distracting in certain situations, such as therapy sessions or important business calls. SimplePractice has provided instructions on how to disable the reactions feature on both iOS and macOS devices.
The reactions feature in iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma enables users to activate emoji and animations using hand gestures during video calls. However, SimplePractice warns patients that these reactions may inadvertently appear during telehealth sessions, as the feature is enabled by default. The company highlights that patients should be aware that Apple devices may display emojis during video calls and that SimplePractice has no control over these settings. While the reactions are designed to enhance video calls by allowing users to add extra elements to their communication, they may prove disruptive or inappropriate in certain contexts, such as therapeutic or litigation calls.
To address concerns regarding the unintended activation of reactions, SimplePractice has provided instructions on disabling the feature for Apple devices. Users can turn off the gesture-based reactions on iOS by accessing the FaceTime app, opening the Control Center, selecting “Video Effects,” and then tapping “Reactions.” On macOS Sonoma, users can disable reactions by opening the FaceTime app, clicking the FaceTime icon in the menu bar, and selecting “Reactions.” By following these steps, users can ensure that the reactions feature is turned off, preventing any unwanted emoji or animation displays during their video calls.
