Leveraging “Machine Learning” to the best effect, “Center Stage” smartly fine-tunes your device’s front-facing camera to help you always remain in the frame. Hence, you can enjoy video calling without bothering about whether or not you are perfectly in the frame. From what I can tell, it works like a charm. However, there are times when this video calling feature goes for a toss and doesn’t work as expected. For this very reason, I thought it would be better to talk about the best tips and tricks to fix Center Stage not working on iPad Pro, Air, and mini.
Best Tips & Tricks to Fix Center Stage Not Working on iPad Pro/Air/mini
What could be hindering Center Stage from functioning properly on your device? To me, the elephant in the room is the device compatibility. Since very few folks are aware of the compatible devices, there is plenty of confusion in this regard. That aside, bringing Center Stage into action on an iPhone and incompatible Mac requires some workaround, which further adds fuel to the fire.
1. Which iPad Models Support Center Stage?
First and foremost, ensure that you have a compatible iPad model. Bear in mind that only the latest iPad models support Center Stage. Therefore, be sure you have the right tablet. Have a look at the supported devices:
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation or later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation or later)
- iPad (9th generation or later)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
2. Can You Use Center Stage on Your Mac?
Though it’s possible to use Center Stage on any Mac, there is a catch you need to keep in mind. So long as your Mac is connected to Apple Studio Display, you can use Center Stage on your macOS device. Frustrating. But that’s the harsh reality you need to deal with.
3. Can I use the Center Stage on My Mac without the Apple Studio Display?
Yes, you can. However, you need an iPhone to make Center Stage appear on your Mac. If you are wondering how it works, let me tell you that it’s all thanks to Continuity Camera.
4. Right Way to Use Center Stage on iPad
Using Center Stage on an iPad is a piece of cake.
- To begin with, open FaceTime or any other compatible video-calling app.
- Now, initiate a video call as usual.
- Next, bring up the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen.
- Next up, tap on the Video Effects tile and choose Center Stage.
5. Can I use Center Stage on my iPhone?
Unfortunately, iPhones still do not support Center Stage. Nevertheless, there is a workaround through which you can get the most out of it using your device’s camera.
Courtesy of the “Continuity Camera” feature, you can bring on the Center Stage on your supported iPhone. But before you get too excited, you should be fully aware of the fact that it requires a compatible Mac.
- To get it going, navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> AirPlay & Handoff -> Now, make sure that the toggle next to Continuity Camera is enabled.
- After that, launch FaceTime or any other supported video calling app -> head into the Video setting -> choose iPhone Camera.
- Next, click on the FaceTime menu and ensure that the Control Center is selected.
6. Which Third-Party Apps Support Center Stage?
There are many third-party apps that support Apple’s Center Stage including:
- Facebook Messenger
- Skype
- Slack
- Zoom
- Webex
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
7. Clean the Front Camera
Another important thing that you must check off is to ensure that the front camera is not covered. Use a soft lint-free cloth to clean the front camera. Furthermore, make sure that your screen guard does not interfere with the front camera.
8. Disable/Enable Center Stage
At times, just resetting the “Center Stage” toggle can let you fix the issue.
- On your iPadOS device, head into the Settings app -> FaceTime -> Turn off/on the toggle next to Center Stage.
9. Update the Third-Party App
If it’s been a while since you updated your video-calling app, there is a high chance that the outdated version of the app could be causing the problem.
- On your iPad, launch the App Store -> your profile -> scroll down to find the app in question and update it as usual.
10. Force Restart Your iPad
If the Center Stage hasn’t kicked in yet, force restart your device.
- To do so, press and release the volume up button. After that, press and release the volume down button.
- Then, hold down the “Top” button until the Apple logo comes up on the screen.
11. Update Your Device
Now is the time to look for the software update as I can smell the mischievous act of a miscellaneous software bug.
- To get rid of the bug, launch the Settings app on your iPad -> General -> Software Update -> Then, download and install the latest version of iPadOS.
12. Factory Reset Your iPad
Should Center Stage remain dysfunctional on your iPad, go for the factory reset. Note that factory reset means wiping out all the existing settings and putting everything back in the default state.
- Head into the Settings app on your iPad -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPad -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
There you have it! I guess Center Stage has eventually come back on track and so has your fun-loving FaceTiming. Now, it’s time to share your feedback and the tips that have resolved the problem.
Read more: 16 Ways to Fix Always On Display Not Working in iOS 17 on iPhone
