How do I stop the camera from following me and zooming in and out when I move my hands!

[StopFollowingMe]

Just got a 2024 Apple M4 and downloaded the newest Zoom app... I cannot for the life of me stop this camera from auto focusing and moving with me. All the help documents tell to do things that don't exist in Zoom Workplace!!!  It's so annoying and every time I move a hand the camera zooms in and out, I want it to go back to solid!

[StopFollowingMe · Accepted solution]

yes! It's not Zoom- it's Apple... you have to login into Facetime and then click on the Green top bar icon till you see Center Stage and unclick that... totally worked and saving my life

[LJaco]

Following this, hoping there is some way to resolve it. It is beyond disturbing that the camera zoom changes almost continuously. 

[StopFollowingMe · Accepted solution]

yes! It's not Zoom- it's Apple... you have to login into Facetime and then click on the Green top bar icon till you see Center Stage and unclick that... totally worked and saving my life

[LJaco]

RIGHT, the green icon in the right corner of the top bar - I would never have found this on my own. Thank you so much! 

[vanessa3396815]

Same here! Very grateful!

[JillSandford]

what green icon?

[JillSandford]

There is s green dot. That is all it does nothing?

[rask]

Thank you, you're right - it's a feature called "Center Stage" that needs to be toggled off in Facetime to stop the camera from following and zooming to your face

[JillSandford]

I cannot find center stage anywhere?  anywhere.  Can you be more specific please?  Driving me nuts.

[Guia8]

IN MACBOOK:  JOIN a Zoom meeting.  AUDIO ^ - VIDEO & EFFECTS - Turn OFF AUTO FRAMING.

(Could not find CENTER STAGE BUTTON  in all my updated Apple IPhone, Ipad & Macbook  devices - only the above helped,  after 2+ hours with 3 Apple Care helpers.)

[etcoutts]

Thank you!!!

[AliciaOrtiz]

I’m using an iPad mini and an iPhone. i opened the FaceTime app but  I don’t see a Green bar anywhere. At the top, I have two buttons, Create Link (with a link icon) and New FaceTime (with a video icon). nothing else. Please help. Thanks. 

[VancKat]

That stopped the problem for one meeting, but I have to do this step EVERY TIME, even when I lose connection with a Zoom and reenter. Is there any way to make this fix permanent? Or can Zoom put in an override? 

[RobD6]

Got new MacBook and had to unexpectedly join a Zoom on two hours sleep, only to find the camera following me and zooming in on my haggard face. Bless you for sharing this solution. 

[ericm4224]

Its Apple not Zoom.  It would help if we could post a screenshot, here.  Hint-Hint!!!

Here are Steps:

1.  Start up Facetime with camera on! 

2.  Make sure your MAC-OS "Menu Bar" is visible.  The default is VERY TOP of screen, Far-right. SEPARATE from Face time menu.  

3.  You should see a Camera Icon with Green Background.  CLICK-IT.  Again, not the Facetime Menu.

4.  You should see an entry "Center Stage" and it is toggled-on.   Toggle it OFF.

5.  Log out of Facetime, Shut it Down!

[gyru69]

WHAT GREEN BUTTON!!!!!😫

[redflutejc]

I tried this on my iPhone 14 Pro. The green video icon on top menu bar doesn't show me a menu (with the Centre Stage). It just show my live video pic and speaker mode options. Help? 

[LJaco]

This article explains how to disable it in Zoom:  https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0066897

[timrichards]

I had this problem with my new Apple iPad. It was never an issue with the old one. I finally solved it in the ZOOM meeting by going to the 9-dot VIEW grid at the top right of the screen. As well as 'Gallery View' and 'Speaker View' there is a CENTRE STAGE view. I unchecked this and all was well.

[timrichards]

I solved this on my new Apple i-Pad by going to the 9-dot VIEW grid - top right of the ZOOM screen. As well as 'Speaker View' and 'Gallery View' options there is now a CENTRE STAGE option. Uncheck this and you should be good to go... 🙂

[JillSandford]

Which green button??  sorry. Have tried on I pad and mac.

[apkrhnyu]

I couldn't find the green video button until I disconnect all the external monitors. Try disconnecting all those monitors and start zoom meeting, you'll see the green video button on top right bar, and click and find the 'center stage' and other effects as well. 

[JillSandford]

Re the very irritating CENTER STAGE question (ignore the spelling)!!   It is top right hand corner of ZOOM.  there is a grid and little squares.  Tap on it and there is a list including centre stage.  Untick.   It does work.  

[hdog]

Jill!

How to Turn Off "Centre Stage" on FaceTime (Mac)

1. Look at the very top right of your Mac screen. You’ll see a small magnifying glass icon. Click on it. (This is called Spotlight Search.)

2. A search bar will appear. Type "FaceTime" and press Enter to open the app.

3. Once FaceTime is open, look again at the top right of your screen. You’ll see a green camera icon (near where you found the magnifying glass earlier). Click on it.

4. A menu will appear. Look for "Centre Stage" and unselect it (click to turn it off).

✅ All done! 😊

[hdog · Accepted solution]

How to Turn Off "Centre Stage" on FaceTime (Mac)

1. Look at the very top right of your Mac screen. You’ll see a small magnifying glass icon. Click on it. (This is called Spotlight Search.)
2. A search bar will appear. Type "FaceTime" and press Enter to open the app.
3. Once FaceTime is open, look again at the top right of your screen. You’ll see a green camera icon (near where you found the magnifying glass earlier). Click on it.
4. A menu will appear. Look for "Centre Stage" and unselect it (click to turn it off).

✅ All done! 😊

[Elevated_Minds1]

Thank you for sharing these instructions. 

[borori]

THANK YOU. May you experience many joys. 

[CindiLambWiley]

THANK UUUUUU!!!!

[Blondy9999]

Sorry but I have done this., center stage is off. I started a meeting on Zoom to test it out and it is STILL doing it. I just want it to stop moving and have it how it was with my old computer.

[jeryn7035]

Center stage doesn't come up in that menu. Can we do an updated instruction for Sequoia 15+

[Colinc7020]

Short and right on point ..... Many thanks  🙏

[JLL12]

Thank you!!

[Marticulate]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  That was insanely annoying!

[rozemac]

1. Look for an option like Auto-framing, Auto-zoom, or Person tracking and disable it.

This will keep your camera from moving automatically.

[rozemac]

1. Open the settings for your video call app (like Zoom or Teams) or your camera's own software.

2. Look for an option like Auto-framing, Auto-zoom, or Person tracking and disable it.

This will keep your camera from moving automatically.

[gyru69]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!😘

[Daryl1122]

Bless you it worked!

[FussyUser]

I was hoping the existing posts on this would help me turn that same darn thing off.  But they didn't.  Then I asked ChatGPT and learned a way that did work.  There is a carrot next to the word VIDEO on the Zoom task bar. Click it and look for: "Auto-frame my video."  Uncheck that. That's it.  It stops.