iPhone 17 front camera keeps tracking my face in WhatsApp

Question

iPhone 17 front camera keeps tracking my face in WhatsApp

Hi,

I’m on an iPhone 17 running the latest iOS, and every time I open the front camera in WhatsApp it automatically tracks my face and tries to center me. It happens even when I’m just taking a photo, not on a call.

I’ve already turned off Auto Zoom and Auto Rotate in the Camera app, turned off WhatsApp’s camera effects, turned off face tracking on FaceTime, turned off Face ID, reinstalled the app, and restarted the phone. Nothing changes.

It looks like some kind of system-level face tracking that WhatsApp is picking up from the iPhone’s camera, even though I’ve disabled everything I can find.

Is there any way to stop this completely? I’m not trying to always focus on my face. It’s very distracting.

Thanks.

iPhone 17

Posted on Oct 15, 2025 10:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LD150

Level 10

100,011 points

Oct 15, 2025 10:49 AM in response to ayeletfromashdod

sounds like Centre Stage

Use Center Stage to keep you centred in the camera frame – Apple Support (UK)

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Answer 2

LucaTB

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2025 11:44 AM in response to ayeletfromashdod

I found the solution on Reddit. First, you need to open the selfie-camera in WhatsApp, either like you are taking a picture in a chat or posting a status. Then you will see in the dynamic island a little green dot, if you pull down the control center (upper right hand corner) and click on the green dot in the dynamic island it will give you some preferences, including to turn off the center stage. Good luck!

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2025 10:39 PM in response to ayeletfromashdod

It is not whatsapp issue because i also experienced this recently, when you make a video call on whatsapp, you have to swap to control centre at the same time( when we usually turn off/on airplone mode, bluetooth that section) it will appear on top on that control center the green appear as whatsapp control, just click on it and turn off centre stage

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Answer 4

Oct 26, 2025 12:22 AM in response to ayeletfromashdod

Sounds like it’s using the new iOS “Center Stage” or “Subject Framing” feature that got expanded in recent updates. Even though it’s mainly for video calls, some apps like WhatsApp can trigger it through the camera API. Try going to Settings > Camera > Composition and turn off “Subject Framing” if it’s on. Also, in Settings > WhatsApp > Camera Access, toggle it off and on again to reset permissions. That usually stops the automatic face tracking.

Had a similar issue once while recording clips during my desert safari dubai tickets experience, and turning off that setting fixed it perfectly.

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Answer 5

Nov 18, 2025 6:40 AM in response to ayeletfromashdod

Nope, it’s not a WhatsApp issue.

What you found is center stage in the camera app and you turned it off only in camera. It’s a function that is on by default in WhatsApp and Meet (and I’m sure many others) and you must disable it in each app separately. Via the control centre, as others mentioned.

I came here for the same issue and it worked!

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Answer 6

Oct 15, 2025 10:53 AM in response to LD150

Yeah, that’s what I suspected too, but I’ve already turned off Center Stage (Auto Zoom and Auto Rotate) in the Camera app, and it’s still happening in WhatsApp. It keeps tracking even with all the toggles off.

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