Video calling is ubiquitous. You can video call your friends, family, and colleagues, sharing your face and surroundings simultaneously. Being in the same location all time is boring, right? How about appearing with your regular face? Everyone knows what that looks like.
What if you could make a fake video call that switched out your face, the background, or other important features—would you fake call your family?
Here's how fake video calls work and how you can spot one.
A fake video call can mean a couple of things.
For instance, you could create a fake video background in an attempt to trick people into believing you're on holiday. You could record a video of yourself staring at your monitor, then play it back during a meeting that you are not required to talk in.
There's the option of mirroring your webcam input to a YouTube video that does not feature you at all but could show an amusing cat video.
A fake video call could also use deepfake technology, using AI-powered video to switch out the faces and voices on display. You can find more information on deepfake tech later in the article.
How you approach making a fake video call depends on the platform. On a desktop computer or laptop, you have multiple software options to use a fake video, but your access to certain apps is limited. However, the WhatsApp desktop app now allows voice and video calling, so the following instructions also allow you to make a fake call using WhatsApp.
For those apps that you can use, ManyCam allows you to alter the appearance of your webcam extensively. For instance, you can use more than one webcam with Skype or other voice calling apps or stream a completely different video that appears instead of your webcam.
Here's how you make a fake video call using ManyCam.
First, you need to download, install, and configure ManyCam.
Download: ManyCam for Windows | macOS
Once your download completes, install ManyCam.
You can use presets for your fake video call. Open ManyCam, then under Presets, select Preset 1. Underneath the Presets panel are the video source options. Select the video source you want to use, such as a webcam, IP camera, YouTube video, web source URL, and so on.
If you want to use a YouTube video, copy and paste the video URL into ManyCam. Do the same for whichever fake video source you choose.
Once you configure the fake video source, you can make your video call. But you must select the ManyCam webcam option in your video call app to display your fake video. The process is slightly different for each video calling app, but you'll find the ManyCam Virtual Webcam option in the camera or webcam options.
How to Select ManyCam In Skype
In the Skype desktop app, head to Settings > Audio & Video. In the Camera options, select the ManyCam Virtual Webcam. When you make your video call, the fake video in ManyCam will play instead of your regular webcam.
How to Select ManyCam In WhatsApp Desktop
After following the above instructions, open your WhatsApp Desktop app and locate the person you want to call. When the call dialog appears, select the three-dot icon, then select ManyCam Virtual Webcam from the dropdown menu. The video call will display the video playing in ManyCam to the person you're calling, and hilarity will ensue. And, that is how you make a fake WhatsApp call with ManyCam.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular cross-platform, open-source video streaming tool. You can use OBS to stream to multiple platforms simultaneously, record media, and much more.
In this case, you can use OBS to stream a fake video in place of your webcam.
The result is similar to ManyCam. However, as OBS is completely free, you can use the full range of video streaming and broadcasting options. Even though OBS has more tools on offer, the software isn't difficult to use.
Here's how you make a fake video call using OBS.
First, you need to download and install OBS. Although it is a cross-platform tool, the following steps only work with OBS on Windows due to the plugin required to create a virtual webcam.
Download: OBS for Windows (Free)
OBS-VirtualCam is an open-source plugin for OBS. The plugin creates a virtual webcam option in OBS. Once you install the plugin, you can output media to the virtual webcam, then select the virtual webcam in your video call options.
While the VirtualCam plugin once required you to download and install it manually, as of OBS version 26.
0.0 (launched in August 2020), virtual webcam functionality is now built into OBS directly. You can still install the plugin if you want, but it is no longer the most efficient way of doing things.
So, within OBS, head to Tools > VirtualCam and select Start. The virtual webcam option of "OBS-Camera" will now appear in your video calling apps, such as Skype or Facebook Messenger.
OBS has several options you can use for a fake video. You can use OBS to play a local video, display a browser window or online video, create a video stream from a third-party video player (such as VLC), and more.
You can see the range of options along the bottom of the main screen in OBS. Under Source, select the + icon, then choose the video input option for your fake video call.
Whichever video configuration you choose, the result will play through the OBS-VirtualCam virtual webcam in your video calling app.
Smartphone apps come with a different set of limitations regarding fake video calling.
Fake video apps for smartphones are a dime-a-dozen, but they don't do what you expect. If you search for "fake video calling apps" on Google Play, you'll find thousands of poorly coded apps that let you "chat" with a fake person, rather than stream a fake video through a video calling app.
Spoofing a smartphone camera within an app isn't easy. Smartphone video calling apps (and other apps in general) don't allow such behavior for a simple reason: it presents a security risk. If one app can spoof and mimic the camera for a fun reason, another app will use the same process for nefarious reasons. So while you can make a fake call on WhatsApp Desktop, you cannot do the same using WhatsApp on your smartphone.
On the more nefarious side, there are deepfakes. A deepfake video uses AI technology to create an extremely convincing video featuring the likeness of someone else.
Deepfake tech continues to develop, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to spot the difference between a real video and an AI video. For example, check out the example that brought deepfake technology to light, mimicking Barack Obama:
The hands and gestures are Obama's, but the mouth (voiced by comedian Jordan Peele) is out of sync. Whereas, just over one year later, The Dark Knight's Tale features Heath Ledger playing himself as Joker in the Dark Knight, but also in A Knight's Tale.
The Dark Knight's Tale is fake. But it does illustrate the tremendous advances in deepfake technology over the course of a year.
Around the same time, a deepfake featuring Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was also illustrating the technology.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bill Posters (@bill_posters_uk)
Again, it is clearly fake. Zuckerberg sounds completely different from the deepfake.
A deepfake requires masses of computing power (specifically, a powerful GPU), time, and data. For the effort creating a lifelike deepfake requires, you're unlikely to encounter an effective effort as a prank in the near future.
Can you spot a fake video call? The answer lies in the quality of the fake video.
The development of deepfake technology is a prime example. Jordan Peele's deepfake video mimicking Barack Obama was clearly fake. But the quality of public-facing deepfake technology is much better than it was. That's without considering the deepfake technology that powerful organizations or governments will have access to. Regardless, protecting yourself from deepfakes is important.
At other times, you'll know a fake video call is false because of the contact information. Making a truly fake video call on WhatsApp Desktop is incredibly difficult because the contact information is on display during the connection. Similar limitations are present with other video calling apps that link to a phone number, such as making a fake video call with FaceTime.
There are, of course, tricks to skirt these issues—fake accounts, fake phone numbers, false names, pictures, and so on. But for the most part, would someone go to that length to create a fake video call to fool you?
For most people, tech support scams are a more pressing issue.
Either that, or the threat of phishing scams relating to the latest news cycle.
In short, there are a few tell-tale signs regarding a fake video call:
Many fake videos will loop around to the start after a certain amount of time elapses. Alternatively, the video will stop abruptly at the end—but the video call won't finish. Also, if someone is using a face swapping app with video functionality, the faces are extremely unlikely to align correctly.
Now you know a few of the methods used to make fake video calls and which platforms they work best on, you're better prepared to spot and avoid them. Fake calls using software like ManyCam do work, but unless you're using exceptional hardware, most of the time, a fake video call is easy enough to spot.
Mobile apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime have built-in security mechanisms to prevent fake video calling and other such scams. In reality, it comes down to just taking a moment to double-check the facts on offer, such as the phone number, video quality, and so on.
Mobile devices are more powerful than ever.
Most smartphones come with high-quality cameras, speedy performance, and easy-to-use features. Best of all, they are accessible to most business professionals, online teachers, and content creators, unlike the video gear recommended out there. Since the need for engaging and high-def live videos continues to increase, learning how to use your phone as a webcam can be a life-saver.
Need to connect your phone as a webcam? Download ManyCam for free today!
Can you use your phone as a webcam?
The short answer is yes, and you can skip to the tutorial right here! (LINK)
If you have an Android or iOS device, you can follow the tutorial below and use your phone as a webcam on video calling apps, video conferencing solutions, online teaching platforms, and even on live streaming channels.
Why use mobile devices as webcams?
When you turn your mobile device into a webcam, you get to increase your video quality and maximize your resources without spending money on an HD webcam.
It’s a great way to amp up your videos while staying within your budget since most smartphones have high-quality cameras.
Second camera angles
Another benefit of using smartphones as webcams is producing professional live videos with multiple camera angles. Switching between your regular webcam view to a second camera from a different angle makes your video more dynamic. This allows you to deliver an amazing experience to your viewers instead of the usual tedious “talking head” kind of video.
Use your mobile as a document camera or close-up shot
In addition, when considering a second angle, you can think about your mobile camera as a document camera or a close-up shot. This technique can be particularly useful if you need to show your viewers something specific.
Here are some application examples:
Now, you probably have a few ideas on when you can use your mobile device as a webcam. So, let’s take a look at how you can do that.
Step-by-step guide on how to use your phone as a webcam with ManyCam
This tutorial will guide you to connect your mobile phone as a video source on ManyCam. Once connected, you can then use ManyCam as your virtual camera on video calls, conferences, online classes, and live streams.
Before we start, make sure you download the latest version of ManyCam here. You can also go ahead and download the ManyCam app for your device: Android or iOS.
Step 1 – ManyCam Account
If you don’t have a ManyCam account yet, you can create one on our website, clicking on the top-right corner “Login.”
Once created, you can log in on your desktop application and your mobile app.
Make sure you are connected to the same account on both your computer and your device.
Step 2 – Select your device on ManyCam
On the desktop app, right-click on the layer you want your mobile to be on. Select “Mobile Device” among the options.
Step 3 – Accept the connection on your phone
The mobile app will prompt you to accept the connection, and you’ll be able to see your mobile camera’s feed on ManyCam desktop.
As easy as that!
Now you are ready to connect ManyCam to any live video application!
How to connect ManyCam to other apps
To connect ManyCam as a virtual camera, all you need to do is:
For more information on connecting ManyCam to your platform, check out this blog post.
If you want to live stream with ManyCam, you can:
Extra tips for using your mobile as a webcam
Key Takeaway
Using your phone as a webcam can help you increase the quality of your live videos during meetings, online classes, and live streams. The best part is, you can easily do that with ManyCam.
We hope this guide helps you deliver high-quality live videos with ease. Share this blog post with your friends and colleagues so they can also step up their video production game.
Author Kirill Sokolov Reading 9 min. Views 153 Posted by
Video calls are ubiquitous. You can video chat with your friends, family and colleagues while sharing your face and surroundings. Being in the same place all the time is boring, right? How about showing up with your normal face? Everyone knows what it looks like.
nine0005
What if you could fake a video call that changed your face, background or other important features - would you fake a call to your family?
Here's how fake video calls work and how to recognize them.
Contents
Fake video call can mean a couple of things.
For example, you can create a fake video background to make people believe you are on vacation.
You can record a video of yourself looking at your monitor and then play it back during a meeting where you don't need to talk.
It is possible to mirror webcam input to a YouTube video that doesn't show you at all, but can show a funny cat video. nine0005
The fake video call can also use deepfake technology, which uses artificial intelligence video to disable displayed faces and voices. You can find more information about deepfake technology later in this article.
How you approach a fake video call depends on the platform. On a desktop or laptop, you have several software options to use fake video, but your access to certain applications is limited. For example, the WhatsApp desktop app does not allow video calls (or voice calls). nine0005
For the applications you can use, ManyCam allows you to significantly change the look of your webcam. For example, you can use multiple webcams with Skype or other voice calling applications, or you can broadcast a completely different video that appears instead of your webcam.
Here's how to make a fake video call using ManyCam.
First, you need to download, install and configure ManyCam. nine0005
Download: ManyCam for Windows | macOS
Once the download is complete, install ManyCam.
You can use presets for your fake video call. Open ManyCam, then under Presets select Preset 1 .. Below the Presets panel are the video source options. Select the video source you want to use, such as webcam, IP camera, YouTube video, web source URL, etc.
If you want to use a YouTube video, please copy and paste the URL of the video in ManyCam. Do the same for any fake video source you choose.
After setting up a fake video source, you can make a video call. But you have to select the ManyCam webcam option in the video call app to display the fake video.
For example, in the Skype desktop app, go to Settings > Audio and video . In the Camera options, select ManyCam Virtual Webcam . When you make a video call, the fake video in ManyCam will play instead of your regular webcam.
The process is slightly different for each video call application, but you will find the ManyCam Virtual Webcam option in the camera or webcam settings.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a popular open source cross-platform video streaming tool. You can use OBS to stream to multiple platforms at the same time, record media, and more. In this case, you can use OBS to stream fake video instead of a webcam. nine0005
Same result as ManyCam. However, since OBS is completely free, you can use the full range of video streaming and broadcast options. Even though OBS offers more tools, the software is not hard to use.
Here's how to make a fake video call using OBS.
First, you need to download and install OBS. Although it is a cross-platform tool, the following steps only work with OBS on Windows due to the fact that a plugin is required to create a virtual webcam. nine0005
Download: OBS for Windows (Free)
OBS-VirtualCam is an open source plugin for OBS. The plugin creates a virtual webcam option in OBS. After installing the plugin, you can output media to the virtual webcam and then select the virtual webcam in the video call options.
Download: OBS-VirtualCam for Windows (Free)
Download and install the plugin. The OBS-VirtualCam plugin will automatically detect your OBS installation folder. Select 9 when prompted0067 Yes Are you sure you want to overwrite the folder. Then choose if you want to use one or more virtual webcam outputs. Now complete the installation.
Now open OBS and go to Tools > VirtualCam to enable the virtual webcam.
The "OBS-Camera" virtual webcam option will now appear in your video calling apps like Skype or Facebook Messenger.
OBS has several options that you can use for fake videos. You can use OBS to play local video, display a browser window or online video, create a video stream from a third party video player. (eg VLC) etc.
You can see the range of options at the bottom of the main screen in OBS. Under Source , select the + icon, then select the video input option for your fake video call. nine0005
Then resize the browser window using the width and height to fit the video. nine0016 Whichever video configuration you choose, the result will be played through the OBS-VirtualCam virtual webcam in your video call application.
Smartphone apps have a different set of restrictions on fake video calls.
Fake video apps for smartphones are a breeze, but they don't do what you'd expect. If you search for "fake video call apps" on Google Play, you will find thousands of badly coded apps that allow you to "talk" with a fake person rather than stream fake video through the video call app. nine0005
It's not easy to fake a smartphone camera in an app. Video calling apps for smartphones (and other apps in general) don't allow this behavior for a simple reason: it's a security risk. If one app can spoof and mimic a camera for a funny reason, another app will use the same process for nefarious reasons.
On a more nefarious side, there are deepfakes.
Video Deepfake uses artificial intelligence technology to create an extremely convincing video depicting someone's likeness. nine0005
Deepfake technology continues to evolve and it's getting harder to tell the difference between real video and AI video. For example, see the example that revealed Barack Obama's deepfake technology:
The hands and gestures are Obama's, but the mouth (voiced by comedian Jordan Peele ) is out of sync. Whereas just over a year later in The Dark Knight's Tale, Heath Ledger plays himself as the Joker in The Dark Knight as well as in The Knight's Tale. nine0005
The Dark Knight's story is a fake. But it does illustrate the huge advances in deepfake technology over the year.
Around the same time, a deepfake involving Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also illustrated the technology.
Again, this is clearly a fake. Zuckerberg sounds completely different than a deepfake.
Deepfake requires huge computing power (in particular, a powerful graphics processor), time and data.
To create a realistic deepfake, you are unlikely to encounter such an effective attempt in the near future. nine0005
Can you spot a fake video call? The answer lies in the quality of a fake video.
A striking example is the development of deepfake technology. The deepfake video of Jordan Peele impersonating Barack Obama was clearly a fake. But the quality of public deepfakes is much better than it used to be. And that's without taking into account the deepfake technology that powerful organizations or governments will have access to.
In other cases, you will know that a fake video call is fake because of the contact information. Making a truly fake WhatsApp video call is incredibly difficult because the contact information is displayed during the connection. Similar restrictions exist in other video calling apps that refer to a phone number. nine0005
Of course, there are tricks to get around these problems - fake accounts, fake phone numbers, fake names, images, etc./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19886661/Image_from_iOS__16_.png)
But for the most part, can someone go to such lengths to create a fake video call to deceive you?
For most people, tech support scams are a more pressing issue. Either that or the threat of a phishing scam due to the latest news cycle.
In short, there are several tell-tale signs of a fake video call:
Many fake videos return to the beginning after a certain amount of time. Alternatively, the video will suddenly stop at the end, but the video call will not end. nine0016 Also, if someone is using a face swap app with a video feature, the faces are extremely unlikely to align correctly.
Now that you know a few methods used to make fake video calls and which platforms they work best with, you better be prepared to detect and avoid them.
I hope you don't come across fake videos on the Internet. But fake news is big business. If something seems fishy, double-check it on one of the best fact-checking sites to find the truth. nine0005
Content
Today, many modern instant messengers have a video calling function that is highly demanded by users.
WhatsApp did not stand aside here, and in this article we will consider all the ways to make video calls using the service, as well as points that you should pay attention to in order to use this type of communication effectively and without problems. nine0005
In general, there are no special requirements for making video calls via WhatsApp, but you should still pay attention to some aspects:
Read also: Updating the operating system of Android smartphones and iPhone
nine0002 Read also: How to connect the Internet on an Android smartphone and iPhone The ability to make a video call is available in almost every section of the WhatsApp for Android application, that is, you can start exchanging information on the technology in question very quickly, regardless of the screen shown by the messenger.
In order to avoid any problems at the beginning of a video chat via WhatsApp, before activating the function in question, it is necessary to ensure that the client application of the information exchange system has access to the modules "Camera" and "Microphone" Android device.
The fastest way to initiate a video call is to activate a special interface element on the screen with the correspondence with the called WhatsApp participant.
Read also: How to add a contact to WhatsApp address book for Android
Read more: Creating a WhatsApp chat with user
who is not in Contacts nine0153
The process is controlled using the buttons located at the bottom of the screen to switch from the front camera to the main one and vice versa (1), temporarily disable the image capture module (2) and microphone (3).
nine0005
The second method to switch to a WhatsApp video call is available from the CALLS tab in the system application. This may be more convenient than the above method of calling from the chat screen, because almost every messenger user has contacts, communication with which is carried out only through calls. nine0005
Option 1: New call
Option 2: Call log
If you have ever communicated with a user registered in WhatsApp via audio or video, this fact, as well as missed calls, is recorded in the specialized "Journal" .
From this list, it is possible to initiate another call, including one involving the use of video cameras of your device and the subscriber's device.
Another option to switch to a video call in WhatsApp for Android is available from the screen showing information about the user added to "Contacts" of your messenger.
This can be done in one of two ways:
When making a voice call, you can quickly use the camera of your device and thus switch to video communication.
Read more: Voice calls via WhatsApp app for Android
A subtle yet very convenient option to make a video call via WhatsApp can be obtained without first opening the messenger application for this purpose. System application "Contacts" in the Android OS is equipped with a special option, by using which you will very quickly solve the problem in question.
In addition to video communication with an individual WhatsApp participant, the service in question provides the ability to combine its users with a total number of up to 4 people with a video conference call. In total, there are two methods for organizing a group video call. nine0005
Option 1: Group Chat
Read more:
How to create a WhatsApp group chat for Android
Add members to a WhatsApp group from an Android device
In the list displayed below "Select contacts to call" tap in turn the names of the users included in the negotiation process with the involvement of the cameras of their devices. Option 2: Individual video call
Once you have already started a video conversation with a single person registered in WhatsApp, you can invite two more people to the conversation without interrupting it. nine0005
To use the video calling feature on iPhone, WhatsApp for iOS users can follow different paths, and all of them are very simple.
To ensure trouble-free video communication via WhatsApp from an iPhone, you should initially and one-time configure the messenger's access to modules "Camera" and "Microphone" in the iOS settings (or that it is already provided). nine0005
The easiest and fastest way to switch to a video call through WhatsApp for iOS can be implemented without actually interrupting the correspondence with one or another member of the system, that is, directly from the chat.
If you do not correspond with a particular user, and it seems inconvenient to create a chat every time you need to make a video call to him, you can use section "CALLS" to solve our problem messenger.
Option 1: New call
Option 2: Call log
Once you communicate with one or another person registered in the messenger via voice or video communication or miss a call from one or another WhatsApp participant, you will record one of these facts in the 9 provided for these purposes0304 "Journal" and subsequently you can initiate calls from it.
The close interaction between the messenger and the iPhone operating system, or rather their address books, which are essentially the same software module, allows us to solve our problem without launching WhatsApp specifically for this.
Touch the name of the subscriber, which will open before you detailed information about him. If you need to see the other party and/or their surroundings while making a voice call via WhatsApp, you can easily activate the video call without interrupting the call.
Read more: How to make WhatsApp calls from iPhone
nine0015 During a conversation, activate the iPhone's camera by pressing the middle button on the screen - "Camera" .
Confirm the request received from the WhatsApp program by touching under it "Switch" . As in the case of WhatsApp for Android described in the first part of our article, in the version of the messenger adapted for use with Apple devices, it is very easy to organize video communication between several (up to 4 at the same time) users of the service in question And it's not the only way to do this. nine0005
Option 1: Existing group chat
Read more:
Create a group chat in WhatsApp for iPhone
How to add a member to a WhatsApp group from iPhone
In the list of chat participants that appears below, check the checkboxes next to the names of users invited to video chat. nine0016 Option 2: Calls section
