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Facebook Messenger Group Effects Adds AR Fun to Group Chats

Green beards for everyone!

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on October 21, 2021 01:06PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Social Media Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Interactive augmented reality (AR) experiences are coming to video calls on Facebook Messenger and Instagram as a fun new way to chat with friends. Facebook announced the new feature, known as Group Effects, on Thursday. You’ll be able to choose from 70 different Group Effects to augment everyone on a video call at the same time so each participant can see the others in a green beard or play an AR game together in real-time. Facebook Group Effects work in the Messenger app during video calls or room chats. The option is available under the smiley face icon. The Group Effect you choose will apply to everyone on the video call so you can share the experience together. To create more Group Effects for people to enjoy, Facebook detailed that it would also be expanding access to its Spark AR API for creators to develop new effects. This will be the first time that an AR experience can be shared with others on the platform. Previously, you only could use AR lenses or effects for Stories or Reels, usually as a solo experience unless others were present with you in person. Timothy Hales Bennett / Unsplash The Group Effects feature is available now for Facebook Messenger and will be coming soon to Instagram. TechCrunch notes that Messenger also is rolling out another feature known as Word Effects that will pair common words or phrases with emojis that will fill your entire screen. The feature can be used for memories, inside jokes, lyrics, and more and is available on the iOS Messenger app, with Android app availability coming in the next few weeks. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a Group Chat in Instagram How to Recover Deleted Messages on Facebook Messenger How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages How to Log Out of Facebook Messenger How to Find Your Facebook Messenger History Messenger Rooms: How to Use Facebook's Video Chat Feature Yahoo Messenger: What Was It & Why Did It Shut Down? How to Unblock Someone on Messenger How to PM on Facebook How to Unsend a Facebook Message How to Use Messenger Without a Facebook Account How to Skype Multiple People How to Add Anyone to Facebook Messenger How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Isn’t Sending Messages Facebook Messenger: Everything You Need to Know How to Tell If Someone Blocked You on Facebook Messenger Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies