Communication

Making a Video Call

3 min read Beginner

A video call lets you see and hear the people you love, wherever they are — a grandchild across the country, a friend who has moved away, or family abroad. It is the next best thing to being in the same room, and the apps that make it possible are completely free. This guide gets you making your first call with confidence.

Choosing an app

You and the person you are calling need to use the same app. The most popular free choices are:

  • WhatsApp — excellent on phones and tablets, and widely used by families.
  • Zoom — great for group calls and often used by clubs and community groups.
  • FaceTime — already built in if everyone has an Apple iPhone or iPad.

Ask the person you want to call which one they already use, and go with that.

Getting set up

  1. Open the App Store (on Apple devices) or the Play Store (on Android devices).
  2. Search for the app by name and tap Get or Install. Wait for it to download.
  3. Open the app and follow the simple setup. WhatsApp, for example, asks for your phone number and sends you a code by text to confirm it is really you.
  4. When the app asks for permission to use your camera and microphone, tap Allow. It needs these so the other person can see and hear you — the call will not work otherwise.

Making a call

  1. Open the app and find the person you want to call in your list of contacts.
  2. Tap their name, then look for the video camera icon and tap it.
  3. You will hear a ringing sound while you wait for them to answer. When they do, their face appears on your screen — and yours on theirs.
  4. To finish, tap the red telephone button.

Joining a call someone else has started

Sometimes a friend or group will send you a link by text or email to join a call (this is common with Zoom). You simply tap the link at the agreed time, and the app opens the call for you. If it asks whether to join with video and audio, say yes to both.

While you are on the call

A row of buttons sits along the bottom or side of the screen. The two most useful are:

  • The microphone button, to mute and unmute yourself. Handy if there is noise around you.
  • The camera button, to turn your picture off and on.
Top tips for a lovely call: sit facing a window or lamp so your face is well lit; prop your device up against something steady, or rest your elbows on a table, so the picture does not wobble; and choose a quiet spot so you can hear each other clearly.

If something is not working

  • They cannot hear you? Check the microphone button is not muted (it will have a line through it if it is).
  • You cannot see them? Ask them to check their camera is turned on.
  • The picture is frozen or fuzzy? This is usually your Wi-Fi signal. Move closer to your router, or hang up and call again.
Practice makes perfect. The first call is always the most nerve-wracking. Why not arrange a quick practice call with a patient friend or family member? Or pop into one of our drop-in sessions and we will do a test call together.
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