How to off camera in whatsapp video call


Everything You Need to Know

WhatsApp connects users all around the world. The app allows people to communicate through text messages, voice, or by using WhatsApp video calling. And like any instant messenger, WhatsApp's video calling is feature-rich.

Here's a guide on how to make WhatsApp video calls on desktop and mobile, as well as everything you need to know about its limits.

WhatsApp Video Calling? You Need to Know This

Video calling is precisely what it sounds like. You “call” a contact you have on WhatsApp, and both of you can see each other on your smartphone screens. It's what Skype and FaceTime have been doing for years.

Video calling on WhatsApp also works across both Android and iOS. That's what makes WhatsApp one of the best smartphone apps for cross-platform video calls. If you have any security concerns, check out these tips to make WhatsApp more secure and private.

WhatsApp video calls are free locally and internationally, meaning that WhatsApp isn't charging you any money to make the call. However, video calls require an internet connection, so they consume data from your phone's data plan;

If you are using WhatsApp to call someone over a Wi-Fi connection, your phone's network carrier won't charge you anything.

A quick reminder: you can check how much data WhatsApp video calls use, thanks to these WhatsApp tricks everyone should know. And to ensure you get all the features, download the latest version of WhatsApp.

Download: WhatsApp for Android | iOS (Free)

What You Can Do With WhatsApp Video Calling

WhatsApp video calling is part of the existing voice calls feature. You can contact old friends who use the app and chat as though they were sitting in front of you.

You can hold business meetings, work with small teams, and even keep in touch with friends in other countries. WhatsApp's features are all exceptionally robust.

How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call on Mobile

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Placing a WhatsApp video call on your phone is quite simple. Here's how:

  1. First, tap the Contact you want to talk to.
  2. Now tap the Video Camera icon to the right of their name at the top of the screen. The other person can answer the call by tapping the green Video button or reject the call by tapping the red Phone button. If they answer, you're ready to go.

By default, WhatsApp video calls use the front-facing camera of your phone. However, you can switch this to the rear Camera at any point with a tap on the screen. It's seamless and just works.

You can also mute the microphone, so the other person can see you but not hear you—just tap the Microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. To mute the audio from the speakers, use your phone's volume buttons.

How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call on Your PC

Making a WhatsApp video call on your PC is just as easy. Follow the steps below to get started:

  1. Launch WhatsApp Desktop on your PC and select the Contact you want to call.
  2. Next, click on the Video Camera icon at the top-right of the screen. You will then see your face and that of the person you're calling displayed in a small window in the top-right corner of the screen, with your chat in the background. You can maximize the display to get a better view of yourself and of the person you're calling.
  3. At the bottom of the video call display are options to toggle your Camera on or off, turn your Microphone off, and End the call. Tap the three-dot Menu to access WhatsApp video call Settings to adjust your preferences.

Unlike on mobile, you can view your other Chats on the left side of the screen while on a video call on your PC.

Group WhatsApp Video Calls

You can make a WhatsApp video call with up to eight participants at the same time. That means you can chat to seven friends or loved ones all in one call. Group video calls consume more data as well.

How to Place a WhatsApp Group Call on Your Mobile

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Here's how to place a WhatsApp group call on your phone:

  1. First, start a one-on-one call with anyone on your contact list. Then tap the Video icon next to their name.
  2. If you want to add more people once the person has answered the call, swipe up on the upward Arrow above the in-call options buttons and tap Add Participant. The icon looks like a person with a plus sign next to them at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Now select the Contacts you want to call, and repeat for up to seven additional people.
  4. If you want to place a call from within a group chat, open the chat and tap the Camera icon in the top-right corner. This will call everyone in the chat simultaneously.

The process is simple and easy. You just need to ensure that everyone else you're adding to the video call has WhatsApp. Currently, you cannot place a group video call on your PC, but that may change in the future.

Multitasking While on a WhatsApp Video Call

Another highlight of WhatsApp's video calls is the multitasking feature. Most smartphone video calls force you to use the video call and prevent you from using anything else, meaning you can't multitask. However, WhatsApp has no such restrictions.

On your phone, you can tap the back Arrow in the top-left corner of the screen to check other messages that someone has sent you on WhatsApp and even reply to them. To return to your video call, just tap the green Bar at the top of the screen.

On your PC, click on the background to access the contacts you want to text while on a WhatsApp video call. You will continue to see the Preview of your call in the top-right corner of the screen.

Did you know that WhatsApp has a range of shortcuts you can use? Check out our article on every WhatsApp Desktop keyboard shortcut you need to know.

How Much Data Do WhatsApp Video Calls Use?

WhatsApp's focus is to make your video call look as crisp as possible. So if your internet speeds support higher quality video, then WhatsApp will take full advantage. Unfortunately, that results in high data usage. If you're not on Wi-Fi, you can quickly go through a lot of cellular data.

On average, we found a minute's call to use around 13.1 MB of data on 5G. This isn't terrible, but it is enough to warrant keeping an eye on. A few Twitter users also recorded similar numbers.

To combat high data usage, WhatsApp offers a setting to reduce the data used on voice calls. If you're worried about exceeding your monthly data allocation, this option may help you avoid overages.

There's Much More to WhatsApp

Video calling is an essential tool, and WhatsApp has done an impressive job with it. In addition, the service is getting more stable and reliable as updates occur.

That said, WhatsApp offers many desirable features in addition to video calling. Overall, the service is more than just an instant messenger. With its range of features, WhatsApp is quickly becoming its own social network.

How to start a WhatsApp video call

You can use WhatsApp not only to write messages or call your contacts, but also to communicate via video calls. Find out how WhatsApp video calling works and everything you need to know about WhatsApp video calls here.

Contents

  1. Begin a WhatsApp video call: quick tutorial
    1. Receiving a WhatsApp video call
    2. Convert WhatsApp voice call to video call
    3. WhatsApp group video calls
  2. WhatsApp video call: interesting facts and options for settings
    1. Are WhatsApp video calls free?
    2. WhatsApp video call settings: throttle data consumption
    3. WhatsApp video calling settings: switch camera
    4. WhatsApp video calling settings: Mute
    5. Problems with WhatsApp video calls

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Begin a WhatsApp video call: quick tutorial

Reaching your contacts via WhatsApp video calling is super easy:

  1. Launch the chat window for the contact you wish to video call.
  2. Click on the camera symbol in the upper right.
  3. Start the video chat.
Launch the WhatsApp chat and tap the camera icon to start a WhatsApp video call.

To end the video call, simply tap the red handset icon.

Tap the red handset to end the call.

Receiving a WhatsApp video call

When you receive a video call, you usually get a push notification. You can then use the “Decline” or “Answer” buttons to decide whether you wish to accept the WhatsApp video call.

Tap “Decline” or “Answer” on an incoming video call.

On some devices, the option to reject the call with a message or receive a reminder of a WhatsApp video call is available.

Convert WhatsApp voice call to video call

You can also switch to video calling during an ongoing voice call in WhatsApp. To do this, simply tap the camera icon.

Tap the camera icon to switch from WhatsApp voice call to video call.

WhatsApp group video calls

Planning a video conference with multiple participants? Need an alternative to Skype? No problem! With a WhatsApp group call, up to eight participants can chat together.

You can extend any video call to a group video call. To do this, simply tap the person icon in the top right corner while a video call is already in progress, select the desired contact from your address book, and confirm by clicking “Add to video call”.

Click the person icon to add another contact to the video call from your address book.

WhatsApp video call: interesting facts and options for settings

Does the cost of a video call differ from voice and text messages? And what settings do video calls offer? Below you’ll find a summary of the most important information.

Are WhatsApp video calls free?

Video calls via WhatsApp are free, but only up to a point. After all, you do pay for them via your data volume, since the connection is established via the Internet.

When you’re not within reach of a WiFi network, WhatsApp will use your mobile data volume to make a video call. For users on flat rates, video calls won’t incur higher costs since even high data consumption should be covered by their package. However, if your data is limited to a monthly usage restriction, your browsing speed may be reduced which can affect the quality of a video call.

WhatsApp video call settings: throttle data consumption

You can use a simple trick to curb the data usage of WhatsApp video calls. We explain how it works.

Step 1: Launch the WhatsApp menu via the three dots in the top right.

Tap the three dots at the top right to enter the menu.

Step 2: Switch to the “Settings”.

Access “Settings”.

Step 3: Select “Storage and data”.

Go to “Storage and data”.

Step 4: Slide the “Use less data for calls” slider to the right.

Move the “Use less data for calls” slider in “Storage and data” to the right.

This way, you’ll save data when making calls on the go. Keep in mind, however, that the quality of the calls will deteriorate as a result.

WhatsApp video calling settings: switch camera

You can also switch the camera via the settings (front or selfie-facing) during a video call on WhatsApp. The only requirement is that your device is equipped with a main and front camera.

To do this, simply click on the “Switch camera” icon during the current call.

Click the “Switch camera” icon to switch between the main and front cameras.

WhatsApp video calling settings: Mute

You can also mute the microphone. To do this, all you have to do is tap the crossed-out microphone icon at the bottom during the current call.

Click the crossed-out microphone icon to mute the call.

The symbol with the crossed-out microphone appears at the center of the screen. The person you are talking to can no longer hear you, but they can still see you. If you tap the microphone symbol again, the sound transmission is activated once more.

Problems with WhatsApp video calls

There may be several reasons for why you could run into a problem during a video call on WhatsApp.

  • Weak Internet connection: If you or the person you are talking to have a poor Internet connection, this will result in poor video and audio quality.
  • WhatsApp video call does not get through: This may be because you have been blocked by your contact on WhatsApp. Blocking affects both voice calls and video calls on WhatsApp.

If the problem is caused by something else, first check your connection and then restart the app. A restart solves most WhatsApp errors.

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How to block video calls on Whatsapp: block video calls

Want to know how to block video calls on WhatsApp if you don't want to communicate through the camera? This question has visited every user at least once - you don’t always want to show your face to the interlocutor and generally enter into a dialogue!

Is it possible to ban

It is impossible to completely disable video calls in WhatsApp - this is a built-in feature that cannot be abandoned. But no one is forcing you to take advantage of this opportunity! If you call through the handset icon, you will only be able to communicate in audio format. nine0003

However, sometimes there is no escape from annoying incoming calls. Therefore, we will try to find ways around!

A few words about how to turn off WhatsApp video in a video call. If you don’t mind chatting, but don’t want to show your face during the incoming call (and you don’t mind looking at the interlocutor’s face), just click on the video camera icon. As soon as the icon is crossed out, the camera will stop working, the call will automatically be converted to audio format.

Do not answer

The first answer to the question of how to block WhatsApp video calls on iPhone or Android is to simply stop answering. If you absolutely do not want to talk to a certain person (especially when connecting a camera):

  • While incoming, click on the icon with a red tube;
  • If there is no such button, click "Reject".

In this case, you can add a message with reasons. Write why you do not want to accept the call or leave the reset without comment. nine0003

Here's how to block WhatsApp video calls on Android and iPhone. It remains to be hoped that the obsessive interlocutor will realize that you have no desire to communicate. In this case, you can only answer through audio (the instruction is above).

Disabling the camera

A peculiar way to block WhatsApp video calls is to disable permissions! If the messenger does not have access to the camera, no one will be able to see your face.

If you use an iPhone:

  • Open your smartphone settings;
  • Find the name of the messenger in the application list;
  • Expand the menu and turn off the toggle switch opposite the word "Camera" (should not be highlighted in green).

If you have Android:

  • Open the settings and go to the section with applications;
  • Find the one you need and go to the "Permissions" tab;

  • Set to "Off" for the camera.

Here's a simple way to disable video calls on WhatsApp - when the smartphone goes incoming, only the audio will turn on. The system will automatically request access to the camera, but you can refuse. Thus, no one will see you - you will talk in the usual way. nine0003

Blacklist

And now a little about how to block WhatsApp video calls from a specific person. If you do not want to receive incoming messages from a certain user who constantly imposes a similar format of communication, send him to the black list.

  • Enter into a dialogue with a person;
  • Click on the name on the top bar;
  • The chat settings window will open - scroll down;
  • Click on the "Block" button;

  • Confirm the action by clicking on the corresponding icon.

We told you how to disable incoming video on smartphones using affordable means - the instructions are equally suitable for iPhone and Android. Using algorithms on a computer (web version and desktop application) does not make sense. Desktop versions are not designed for voice communication, so an incoming video call can only go to a mobile phone!

You have learned how to turn off video calls in WhatsApp - now no one will force you to chat if you don't want to! Although there is no direct way to block incoming calls, you can use a few life hacks and tricks. nine0003

how to use video calling in the messenger

This messenger is a great way to save money on calls: wherever you have access to the Internet, you can call people from your contact list for free. And in WhatsApp there is an option “Video call” - you can not only hear the interlocutor, but also see. Below we will tell you how to use it and about what nuances there are.

How to make and receive a call

Video calling in WhatsApp is extremely simple:

  1. How to call. In the "Chats" section, find and open the conversation with the contact you plan to contact. Next, click on the “Video call” icon (“Camera” icon) and wait for an answer.
  2. How to accept a call. When a call comes in, your smartphone screen will display “Incoming video call”. To accept it, swipe the Green Tube icon, to reject it, swipe the Red Tube icon.

If there is an incoming video call on WhatsApp that you don't want to silently reject, you can send a short message to the caller. For example - with an explanation why you cannot answer right now. To do this, drag up the Message icon, which will open the text input window and display the on-screen keyboard. nine0003

Group video calls

Whatsapp allows group calls of more than two people. The maximum number of participants in such a chat is 4 people. There are several ways to create a video call using WhatsApp.

  1. From the Calls tab. Switch to the “Calls” tab → New call → New group call → mark the contacts* you plan to contact → Call (Camera).
  2. Video call to WhatsApp from an individual chat. Open a chat (correspondence) with any contact who is a future member of a group video call → Call (Camera) → wait for an answer → Add participant*. nine0018
  3. From a private video call. Right during the video session, click on “Add participant” and select the desired person / people from the list.
  4. How to make a video call in WhatsApp from a group chat (general conversation). Open a group chat → Group call → mark the desired contacts* → Call (Camera).

*Maximum 3 people as you yourself will be the fourth participant.

Please note: any of the participants in the video chat can turn off the camera on their smartphone at any time. After that, the interlocutors stop seeing his image on their screens, but continue to hear his voice. nine0115

Switching from an audio call to a video call

Whatsapp functionality implies the ability to switch from an audio call to a video call and back right during a communication session. How it's done:

  1. Audio to video. If you started talking in voice mode, and then decided that it would be nice to look at each other, click on the “Video Call” button. The interlocutor will then receive a request to switch to the “Video” mode. Then he either accepts this request or rejects it (and then the communication will continue in voice format). nine0018
  2. How to switch Whatsapp video calls to audio. If you want to interrupt the video broadcast from your smartphone without stopping the conversation, click on “Turn off the camera”. If the interlocutor does not do the same, then you will see him as before, and he will only hear you. If the interlocutor also clicks on “Turn off the camera”, the communication session will switch to the “Audio call” mode in WhatsApp.

Possible problems while making a video call

Video calls via WhatsApp as an option are debugged by the developers very well and you should not expect any random “glitches” or failures. However, sometimes users encounter the following issues caused by third-party factors:

  1. Whatsapp video call “Freezes”, the image freezes, there is no sound or is distorted. Here, most likely, the matter is in the quality / speed of the Internet with you or with your interlocutor. If we are talking about a group video chat, then if only one of the participants has problems with the Internet, these “symptoms” appear immediately for everyone.

    Learn more