In HALO 4.x, you design photo layouts in the in-app Design Panel on your iPad. This covers layout type, crop, margins, logos, and overlays. Layouts can only be edited in the app.
The rest of your picture settings can be changed either in the HALO app or in your preset settings on the online dashboard. These include filters, Glam, Background Blur, Background Replacement, and participant editing tools. Changes sync between the two, so use whichever is more convenient.
Not all features are available on all plans. See the notes in each section or the feature availability chart at the end.
In the in-app Design Panel (app only)
Layout options
Choose from a range of layouts, from traditional photo strips to motion-based formats like GIFs and video.
Still layouts
Single-frame or multi-frame photo layouts
Classic, static image formats
Motion layouts (Video layout available on Core and up)
GIF: 2–6 frames with customizable playback speed. The countdown resets before each frame.
Live GIF: a 6-frame, high-speed loop with a countdown only before the first frame, so it feels more like a short video.
Rebound: a short looping clip that plays forward and backward.
Video: 5–120 seconds of video with audio. Includes trim tools, but editing options are more limited.
Choose Layout
Turn this on to let participants select their layout after tapping to start.
Current options are Single 1x1, GIF, Live GIF, and Rebound.
When Choose Layout is off, all participants get the layout you selected.
Layout customizations
Basic customizations
Crop: square, circle, portrait, or landscape
Margins and corners: use the sliders to adjust border width and corner roundness
Margin colors: set the background color with the color picker or a hex code
Advanced customizations (Pro and Select plans only)
Frame rotation: rotate frames 90°, 180°, or 270°
Custom graphics
Add your own graphic elements to the layout for an on-theme look. For sizing requirements, see the HALO Graphic Design Guide.
Logos can sit above, beside, or below the layout. Extra space is added so a logo never covers part of the photo.
Overlays display over the photo like a watermark or decorative frame. They're often used to place logos in corners or create branded borders. Multiple overlays per event are available on Core and up.
Margin backgrounds replace the solid-color margin with a custom graphic or background image.
Themes
Choose from a library of free, in-app themes. Each theme applies a custom start screen and a matching overlay. Themes are based on holidays, parties, and common event types like weddings and Halloween, and you can combine them with your own custom graphics.
In the app or on the online dashboard
You can adjust these settings from your preset settings in the HALO app or on the online dashboard. If you make changes on the dashboard, sync your settings on your iPad before your event. The linked guides show the dashboard version of each setting. The app's layout looks a little different, but the settings work the same way.
Filters
Choose which filters are available to participants and the order they appear in. For setup steps, see Filters.
Glam
Glam smooths and enhances skin, reducing the appearance of blemishes, lines, and imperfections. Two styles are available:
Glam works better on lighter skin tones.
Glam More is optimized for darker skin tones.
For best results, turn on Glam as a participant editing tool so guests can pick the style that works for them. Glam is on by default. Learn more in Glam.
Background Blur (Core and up)
Blur the background of your pictures to keep the focus on your participants.
Set a fixed blur intensity, or use Auto Blur, which detects the environment and applies the best amount of blur automatically.
You can also let participants adjust the blur themselves on the editing screen.
Background Blur is on by default. For setup, see Frame Effects.
Background Replacement (Core and up)
Replace the background behind participants with a virtual background.
Upload multiple backgrounds to let participants choose one, or upload a single background to apply to every picture.
On iPads with an A14 chip or newer, participants choose their background before capture. On older iPads, the first background is applied after capture, and participants can switch backgrounds if you turn on Background Replacement as an editing tool.
A physical backdrop isn't required, but a green or blue backdrop improves accuracy and image quality.
Learn more in the Background Replacement Guide.
Edit tools
After capturing their photos, participants are taken to an editing screen. You choose which tools appear there. Depending on your settings, participants can retake their picture, which is always available. They can also adjust their filter, add props or stickers, and select an alternate layout.
Some tools turn on or off automatically based on your other settings. For example, the layout option doesn't appear if participants are only capturing a single-frame photo. Learn more in Participant Editing Tools.
Props and stickers
Hundreds of pre-made props are available on all plans. Custom props and stickers are available on Plus and higher.
Props use face detection to size and position themselves automatically on participants' eyes, mouths, and other features.
Stickers can be dragged, dropped, and resized anywhere on the photo.
For file requirements, see the Custom Prop Guide.
Feature Availability
| Lite | Core | Plus | Pro | Select |
Still & Motion Layouts | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Video Layout |
| ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Basic Customizations | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Advanced Customizations |
|
|
| ✔️ | ✔️ |
Glam Filter | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Background Blur |
|
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
Custom Graphics | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Multiple Overlays |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ | |
Themes | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Background Replacement |
| ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Digital Prop Packs | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Custom Props & Stickers |
|
| ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |