WhatsApp copies Snapchat with cool effects and masks for video calls. We have tested them and we tell you how to use them and what they are like.

Activate this option on WhatsApp to surprise your friends with masks in your video calls

WhatsApp has been introducing filters and backgrounds for video calls for a while now . These filters are now joined by camera effects to liven up your video calls more than ever.

WhatsApp is taking a leaf out of Instagram and Snapchat’s book by introducing masks and effects for use in video calls . There are ten of them so far and they are already being tested in the beta version of the app, so we’ve tried them out. And you might be able to try them out too, if you activate a setting.

What are WhatsApp camera effects?

Earlier this month, WhatsApp officially introduced custom filters and backgrounds for calls. They were a bit dull compared to the true works of art you find in video calls on apps like Instagram, Messenger or Snapchat.

It turns out that the filters that WhatsApp video calls had were not comparable to those of Instagram. These are effects, and you need to activate them from WhatsApp settings to be able to use them.

To enable camera effects in WhatsApp, you need to enable them from WhatsApp’s privacy settings by checking Allow camera effects. Here are the steps:

• In WhatsApp, go to settings.
• Open the Privacy section .
• Checkmark Enables camera effects.
• Click Continue in the warning window.

WhatsApp’s camera effects appear to still be in testing , so you’ll have a better chance of seeing them if you’re using the beta version of WhatsApp. In our tests, we’ve found that on some phones, even after enabling the option, the effects didn’t appear in the video call, displaying an error.

Effects and masks for video calls

And what effects are available in WhatsApp video calls? For now there are ten and there is a bit of everything, from facial deformations to accessories. They are the following:

• Star Windows. Add floating stars with our eyes.
• Goof. Makes a deformation of the face to make us look chubbier.
• Puppy. Gives us dog ears and a snout.
• Nice day. He puts on some sunglasses and shows us some clouds in the background.
• Tears. Add tears to the eyes.

• Underwater. Creates a water reflection effect in the middle of the screen.
• Sparkles. Add sparkles.
• Nervous. He distorts his face with a nervous expression.
• Energy. It shows an aura around our silhouette.
• Karaoke. Add a microphone and background lights.

The effects worked well in our tests and are obviously visible to both people. WhatsApp hasn’t announced these effects for video calls yet, so if you don’t have them yet, you’ll have to wait for them to be activated globally. It shouldn’t be long now.