Help Guides
How do I make a video call on my phone or tablet?
Video calls are one of the nicest things a phone can do. Here is a clear walkthrough of the four main apps, so you can pick the one that suits your situation.
Use FaceTime if everyone on the call has an iPhone or iPad. Use WhatsApp if the people you want to call already have it. Use Zoom for appointments where someone has sent you a link. Use Google Meet if a link comes from someone with a Gmail address. All four are free.
Feeling uncertain about which app to use or how to answer a call? We run one-on-one tech tutoring sessions in your own home, at your own pace. Give us a call to book.
Pick the right app for the situation
There is no single "best" video call app. The right choice depends on who you are calling and what device they are on. Here are the four situations that cover almost everyone.
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Calling family on FaceTime
If the person you are calling has an iPhone or iPad, FaceTime is the easiest option. It is already installed. Open the FaceTime app, tap the green New FaceTime button, type the name of the person from your contacts, then tap the green FaceTime icon. That is the whole thing.
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A Zoom appointment
Doctors, lawyers, and classes often send a Zoom link by email or text. Tap the link. Your phone will either open the Zoom app or ask you to install it for free from the app store. Once in, tap Join Audio and Start Video and you are in the meeting.
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WhatsApp video call
WhatsApp works on both iPhone and Android, which is why it is popular for family calls across different devices. Open WhatsApp, tap the person you want to call, then tap the small video camera icon at the top right. It rings just like a phone call.
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Google Meet link
If someone with a Gmail address sends you a meeting link, it is probably Google Meet. Tap the link, allow it to use your camera and microphone when it asks, then tap Join. No account is needed to join as a guest.
Would you like someone to show you in person?
We sit with you and walk through video calling on your own phone, with your own contacts, until it feels easy. Across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa.
Book a Tutoring VisitA few small tips that help a lot
Before any video call, sit somewhere with a window or lamp in front of you, not behind you. A face lit from behind becomes a dark shape on screen. Prop the phone up so you are not holding it, a stack of books works fine. And if you wear glasses, keep them on. The person on the other end would rather see your eyes than your forehead.
If the call looks jumpy or pixelated, that is almost always a Wi-Fi problem rather than a phone problem. Moving closer to your router often fixes it. If it keeps happening, our guide on slow Wi-Fi is worth a read.
Missed a call? Do not worry
If someone video-called you while you were away from your phone, they cannot see or hear anything. The camera only turns on once you actually answer. So a missed call is just that, a missed call. Nothing has been recorded and nothing has been shared.
Get help today
We can set up video calling with your family and make sure it works first time. Patient, one-on-one help in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby or Oshawa.
Get Help TodayFAQ
Common questions about video calls
- Which video call app is the easiest to use?
For iPhone and iPad, FaceTime is built in and has nothing extra to download. If the other person also has an iPhone, FaceTime is the simplest choice. For everyone else, WhatsApp is usually the easiest because most people already have it.
- Does a video call use my phone minutes?
No. Video calls use internet data, not phone minutes. On Wi-Fi at home, they cost nothing at all. On mobile data they use roughly the same as watching a short video.
- I joined a Zoom call but nobody can hear me. What do I do?
The microphone icon at the bottom of the screen has probably got a red line through it, which means you are muted. Tap it once to turn the microphone back on. This is by far the most common reason.