How to do a video call

In this modern day and with the growth of useful technology, video calls play a vital role for many people to stay connected to their loved ones if time or distance is a challenge. Video calls provide a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, and can even involve fun activities!

From Skype to Zoom, there seems to be endless ways of communicating through a video call, but not all are the easiest to navigate. If you’re not sure which one is best for you, we have listed our top five best video calling apps for keeping in touch with your family.

Video calling may seem daunting, but it’s simple once you know how to do it. All you need is an electronic device that can connect to the internet and a camera or webcam. And don’t worry, we have put together a guide on how to do a video call on a range of apps which all have free plans!

How to make a video on WhatsApp

You may already use WhatsApp to talk to family or friends individually or in a group chat, but it has great video call features to help you connect with your family even more. This is great for an intimate chat what a small group of people, however, it should be noted that video calls are limited to up to eight other users at a time.

Mobile:

Click here to download the iPhone mobile app

Click here to download the Android mobile app

To make a video call:

1. Go into the WhatsApp app and click calls in the tab. For iPhone, this is at the bottom of the screen and for Android, it is located at the top of the screen.
2. Tap the new call button located at the top of the screen for iPhones and at the bottom for Androids. The icon is shaped like a telephone.
3. Choose the person you want to video call by scrolling through the list. Once you have found the contact you wish to call, press the video icon on the far right.

Desktop:

Click here to log into WhatsApp web

1. Make sure you have WhatsApp Desktop set up. If you’re unsure how to do it, click here.
2. Open the chat of the contact you wish to call
3. Click the video call icon to start the call.

How to make a video on Messenger

If you have Facebook, there’s a high likely hood that you have Facebook Messenger, which is a free app that can make video calls and lets you use both your front and rear cameras. Messenger allows up to 50 in a video chat at a time so no one will feel left out.

Mobile:

Click here to download the iPhone mobile app.

Click here to download the Android mobile app.

1. Go on the Messenger app.
2. Choose the person or group you wish to video call and click to open the chat.
3. Once on the chat, click the video icon at the top to start the video call.

Desktop:

1. Head to Facebook and click on Messenger on the bottom right.
2. Choose the person or group you wish to video call and click to open the chat.
3. Once on the chat, click the video icon at the top to start the video call.

How to make a video on Skype

Skype is one of the oldest and most reliable apps for video calling which can hold up to 100 people in a video call for free. Group video calls are capped to 40 minutes, but one-to-one video calls can be up to 30 hours long on a free account.

Mobile:

Click here to download the iPhone mobile app.

Click here to download the Android mobile app.

1. Go into the Skype app
2. On Android, tap the speech bubble icon located in the bottom right corner. If you are using an iPhone, tap the chat option in the tab and tap the pencil icon in the top right corner.
3. Go through your contacts and select a contact you wish to video call.
4. Press the video icon button to start the video call.

Desktop:

Click here to download Skype for your desktop

1. Go into the Skype desktop app
2. Click the call icon then select + call
3. Go through your contacts, select the contact you wish to video call and start the call by clicking call.
4. As you can call through, select the video camera icon to open up your webcam and start the video chat.

How to make a video call on Zoom

Zoom came into popularity while we were in lockdown and since then, we haven’t looked back at one of the most loved and easy to use video call platforms. Zoom’s free plan allows you to have video calls with up to 100 people but are capped to 40 minutes.

Mobile:

Click here to download the iPhone mobile app.

Click here to download the Android mobile app.

1. Go to the Zoom meet & chat app
2. Tap the Meet & Chat tab and tap the new meeting button which is orange.
3. Turn on the video by ensuring the toggle is blue.
4. Tap start meeting.

Desktop:

Click here to download the Zoom desktop app

There are two ways to start a Zoom meeting using a desktop by either using the home tab or in a chat.

Home:

1. Go into the Zoom desktop app or log into Zoom via your web browser
2. Click the home tab
3. By clicking the down arrow, you can choose to start the meeting with video or use ‘My Personal Meeting ID’ which gives you access to your personal meeting room which is always reserved for you.
4. Click new meeting to start an instant meeting

Chat:

1. Go into the Zoom desktop app or log into Zoom via your web browser
2. Click chat
3. Select the contact you wish to video call
4. Click the camera icon button in the chat to start the video call.

If you’re looking to mix up you video calls with you family, read our blog to find out how to make family video calls more fun! 

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