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How to use video calling in whatsapp


How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call: a Complete Guide

According to Statista, WhatsApp is considered the single most popular global messaging app in the world with about two billion monthly active users — that's close to one out of every three people on earth. If you count yourself among them, you may want to use the service for video chats in addition to voice calls and text messaging. 

No matter how you connect to WhatsApp, whether it's via the mobile app or the desktop app on your PC or Mac, you can join a video call with just a few clicks or taps.  

How to make and receive a WhatsApp video call on mobile

On both iPhone and Android, you can start a video call from the WhatsApp Calls tab or from the Chat tab.

To place a video call from the Calls tab

1. Tap the Calls tab, located at the bottom of the screen on iPhone and at the top on Android. 

2. Tap the New call button, shaped like a phone. It's at the top on iPhone and at the bottom on Android.

Tap the "New call" button and then choose who you want to video call. Dave Johnson

3. In your list of contacts, find the person you want to call. Tap the video button at the far right of the screen to place the call. 

To start a video call from the Chats tab

1. Tap the Chats tab, located at the bottom of the screen on iPhone and at the top on Android.

2. In your list of chat messages, find and tap the chat for the person you want to talk to.

3. At the top of the chat page, tap the video button to start the video call.

There's a button to launch a video call from the top of every chat. Dave Johnson

Quick tip: WhatsApp does not charge a fee, so WhatsApp calls — both audio and video — are free. Even so, like any online activity, WhatsApp calls rely on the internet, so if you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network, you will use data from your mobile plan. Depending on your plan, that might cost money.  

How to switch between WhatsApp video and voice calls during a call

You can switch between voice and video on a WhatsApp call already in progress. 

To switch from a voice call to a video call

1. Tap the Video button at the bottom of the screen, shaped like a video camera. It's always visible on Android, but you might need to tap the iPhone screen (or click the desktop screen) to make the controls appear first. 

You can switch back and forth between video and audio on the same call. Dave Johnson

2. The other party will get notified you are switching to video. If your contact chooses to switch, then it becomes a video call. If the other party does nothing or declines the video, it reverts back to a voice call. 

To switch from a video call to a voice call

1. Tap the Cancel video button (the video with a slash through it). This disables your video.

2. The other party sees a message that you've turned off your video. If he or she also taps the Cancel video button, the call reverts to a voice call. If not, it stays a video call with only one party's video disabled. 

You can switch back and forth between voice and video calls as many times as you like in a call. 

How to make a group video call on WhatsApp

One of WhatsApp's strengths is its ability to handle group video calls with up to eight participants at once. You can launch a group video call several different ways.  

From a group or individual chat

1. Tap the Chats tab.

2. In the list of chat messages, tap the chat you want to video call.  

3. Tap the Video call button at the top of the screen. The call will start immediately. 

4. After the call starts, you can add more people to the video call (up to eight, including yourself). To do that, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap Add participant, then choose the person you want to add to the video call. 

Swipe up to add more participants to a call. Dave Johnson

From the Calls tab

1. Tap the Calls tab.

2. Tap the New call button.

3. At the top of the contact list, tap New group call. 

4. Select up to seven people and then tap the Video button. 

5. After the call starts, you can add more people to the video call (up to eight, including yourself). To do that, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap Add participant, then choose the person you want to add to the video call. 

You can convert a one-on-one video call into a group call at any time. When you're in a call, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap Add participant, then choose the person you want to add to the video call.

How to join a group video call on WhatsApp

If someone includes you in a group video call, you'll get the invitation when the call starts, but don't feel pressured to answer right away. Even if you reject the call, you can still get back to it and join the call any time before it ends. 

Incoming call

1. When you're included in a group call, you'll receive a notification inviting you to join. 

2. If you want to accept the call, tap Open. To defer the call, tap Ignore. 

3. If you're joining the call, you'll see the call menu, where you can preview details about the call including the list of participants. Tap Join. 

When someone invites you to a group call, you can see all the participants before choosing to join it. Dave Johnson

Quick tip: Even if you've linked your desktop computer to your mobile device, group video call invitations will go to your phone because group video isn't yet supported on the desktop.  

Missed call

If you previously tapped Ignore to defer a video call or you didn't respond at all, you can still join the video call as long as it's still in progress. 

1. Tap the Calls tab.

2. If the call is still in progress, you'll see a banner for the call. Tap it to open the call menu screen.

3. Tap Join. 

If you miss a video invitation, you can join it later if it's still in progress. Dave Johnson

How to make a WhatsApp video call on a computer

There are two ways to use WhatsApp on a computer — on a web browser using WhatsApp Web or on  the desktop app, if you've installed it. Unfortunately, you can only make video calls using the desktop app version of WhatsApp, not the website version.

1. If you haven't already installed the desktop app, install the WhatsApp Desktop for Windows or Mac.

2. After you install the app, link WhatsApp on your phone to the desktop. To do that, tap the QR code icon at the top-right of the mobile app. Then tap Scan and point your phone's camera at the QR code on the desktop app. Finally, tap Link a Device to complete the connection.  

You'll need to scan the QR code on the desktop app with the WhatsApp app on your mobile device to use the desktop version. Dave Johnson

3. Open the chat you want to video call and then click the Video call button, shaped like a video camera. 

Note: You can only video call individuals on desktop, so you can't start or join a group chat using the desktop app. 

Can you multitask on a WhatsApp video call? 

WhatsApp doesn't limit you to your call when you are in a video chat. Instead, you can multitask while in a WhatsApp call. Here's what you can do:

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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How to make a video call on WhatsApp: A complete guide

On 2016 WhatsApp launched the video calling feature for its Indian users. Here is a step by step guide you can follow to make a video call on WhatsApp.

Steps you can follow to make a video call on WhatsApp | Representational image

By India Today Web Desk: WhatsApp on 2016 launched the video calling feature for its Indian users. As the name suggests, video calling is exactly what it sounds like. You call a contact on WhatsApp and both of you can see each other on your smartphone screens.

WhatsApp video calling works across both Android and iOS. On Android, video calling is only available on Android 4.1+. If your phone's operating system isn't supported then video calling won't be available to you.

Do you know how to make a video call on WhatsApp? Here is a step by step guide which you can follow. But before you go for it make sure you have a strong Internet connection.

A poor or improperly configured connection might result in poor video and audio quality. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, then your video call quality is dependent on your wireless network signal and network data speed.

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How to place a video call on WhatsApp

Follow the below-given steps to place a video call on WhatsApp.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your device.
Step 2: Open the chat with the Contact you want to video call.
Step 3: Tap Video call icon.

You will be connected to that particular contact via WhatsApp video call.

How to make a WhatsApp group video call from a group

Follow the below-given steps to make a group video call from a WhatsApp group.

Step 1: First you need to open WhatsApp on your device.
Step 2: After that, you need to visit the group you want to video call.
Step 3: Now to tap the Call icon.
Step 4: Search for or select the contacts you want to add to the call.
Step 5: At last tap Video Call icon.

You can't remove a contact during a WhatsApp group video call. The contact would need to hang up their phone to disconnect from the call.

How to make WhatsApp group video call from the CALLS tab

You can follow the below-given steps to make a group video call from the WhatsApp CALLS tab.

Step 1: First you need to open WhatsApp on your device.
Step 2: After that, you need to go to the CALLS tab.
Step 3: Next tap New call icon> New group call.
Step 4: Search for or select the contacts you want to add to the call.
Step 5: At last tap Video Call.

All your group video call history will appear in the CALLS tab. You just need to tap the call history to view the individual contacts from the call.

How to make WhatsApp group video call from an individual chat

To make a group video call from an individual WhatsApp chat, you can follow the below-given steps:

Step 1: First you need to open WhatsApp on your device.
Step 2: Next you need to open the chat with one of the contacts you want to video call.
Step 3: Now tap the Video call icon.
Step 4: Once the contact accepts your video call, tap Add Participant icon.
Step 5: Search for or select another contact you want to add to the call. If prompted, tap Add.

When you receive a WhatsApp group video call, the incoming WhatsApp Video call screen will show the participants currently on the call, and the first contact listed will be the participant that added you on that particular call. Read the below-given points and know how to receive and decline a WhatsApp video call.

How to receive a WhatsApp video call

When someone video calls you you'll see an incoming WhatsApp video call screen, you just have to Swipe up to accept the call. If you to decline the WhatsApp video call you need Swipe up the decline option, Swipe up to reply to decline the call with a quick message.

How to switching between WhatsApp video and voice calls

You can follow the below-given steps to switching between video and voice calls.

To switch from a WhatsApp video call to a WhatsApp voice call:
While on the video call, tap Video off icon, which will notify the contact you're video calling. Once the contact turns their video off, the call will be switched to a voice call.

To switch from a WhatsApp voice call to a WhatsApp video call:
While on the voice call, tap Video call icon. The contact you are voice calling will see a request to switch to a video call and can accept or decline the switch.

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(source: WhatsApp help)

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Is there a way to set up a video call in WhatsApp?

One of the most popular instant messengers in the world provides its users with very wide functionality, and among the most popular questions about it, the leader is: is there a video call in WhatsApp?

There is no definite answer to this question, since everything depends on the installed version of the application on the smartphone. WhatsApp video calls are available to owners of devices running modern operating systems. For older devices running the first versions of Android, as well as the almost obsolete Symbian OS, the initial versions of iOS and Windows Phone.

From June 30, 2017, the messenger stops supporting most devices with old operating systems. Therefore, if you have just such an operating system installed, you should think about replacing your smartphone with a more modern one.

Basic device requirements

To make video calls, you need:

  1. your smartphone to have one of the following operating systems: Android OS 4.1+, iOS 8.0+ and Windows Phone 8.1+ or later version of any of them;
  2. had a stable connection, using wi-fi or high-speed mobile Internet;
  3. front camera.

Both users' phones must meet these requirements to make a video call. If all the elements are present in the gadget, then WhatsApp has a video connection and you can make such a call.

If you have any communication problems, WhatsApp technical support can help, you can learn more about the work from the article on our resource.

Cost of a call

Video calling in WhatsApp is completely free. The developers of the application do not charge users any fees for making such a call. However, traffic may be paid, especially if you use mobile communications.

Therefore, before you talk on video in WhatsApp, make sure you use unlimited internet or a cheap 3G-4G option. In this case, Whatsapp video call will be really free for you, and you won't have to worry about the quality of the connection.

How to set up a video call on WhatsApp

Before making the first video call via WhatsApp, you need to set up this feature.

    1. Download the application through the Android Market or from the developer's site.
    2. Install it.
    3. Add contacts (those you had in your phone book will be added automatically).
    4. To make a call through the application for Android, you need to enter the chat with the interlocutor and click on the icon, the handset and select the option to make a call with video. Also, the call can be made from the contact list. On iOS devices, the feature is activated in a similar way.

If you have trouble making a video call, check if the device is connected to the connection. Also, make sure that your front camera is in order, and the application installed on the phone is up to date, for which this function is available. And then you will not have any problems with how to set up a video call in WhatsApp.

Who can you call?

Some instant messengers, like Viber or Skype, allow you to make calls to smartphones that do not have this application installed. Is this service available for video calls from WhatsApp? Unfortunately, both voice and video calls in this application can only be made to those subscribers who also have it installed.

You should also make sure that the called subscriber has a sufficiently high quality of communication. Both you and your interlocutor will need fast internet if you want a stable signal.

You can learn more about how much traffic Whatsapp spends from the material on our website. It indicates an approximate value for both text messages and other forms of communication.

And one more article on our website will help you choose a messenger and tell you what is better than WhatsApp or Viber. It compares the pros and cons of these applications and gives them a complete characterization.

How to configure the video call in Watsap: Detailed Instruction

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.

WhatsApp video calls

In general, there are no special requirements for making video calls via WhatsApp, but you should still pay attention to some aspects:

    How to make a video call via WhatsApp for Android

    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.

    Setting

    In order to avoid any problems at the beginning of video communication 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 modules "Camera" and "Microphone" Android device.

    1. Go to "Settings" smartphone, open the parameter category "Apps" , click "All apps" .
    2. Find WhatsApp in the list of software present on the device and click on its name. Next select Application Permissions .
    3. Make sure that the switches near items "Camera" and "Microphone" of the list that opens are set to position "Enabled" , and if it is not, activate the specified options.
    4. To complete the configuration, exit "Settings" Android.

    Method 1: Chat

    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.

    1. Start the messenger.
    2. In any of the following ways, go to a conversation with the user with whom you want to establish a video connection:
      • Open an existing conversation from the list in the "Chats" tab of the application.

      • Create a new conversation with one of the contacts in your WhatsApp address book.

        • Read also: How to add a contact to WhatsApp address book for Android

      • Initiate communication with a system user who is absent in "Contacts" .

        • Read more: Creating a WhatsApp chat with user

        who is not in Contacts
    3. At the top of the open chat screen there are three icons, the first of which is made in the form of a video camera - tap on this element. Confirm your intentions by touching "CALL" in response to the request of the messenger application.
    4. Wait for the caller's answer and make a video call.

      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 the microphone (3).

    5. To end the video call, tap on the red button "Hang up" or wait until your interlocutor does it.

    Method 2: CALLS tab

    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.

    Option 1: New call

    1. Open the WhatsApp client application and go to the CALLS tab from the menu located at the top of the screen.
    2. Press the button "New call" located in the lower right corner. Next, find the username in the address book and then touch the icon "Camera" located to the right of it.

    3. Wait for the WhatsApp account owner you are calling to answer the call and then have a conversation.

    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.

    1. In the WhatsApp application, go to the tab "CALLS" . Next, find the name or identifier of the called person in the list of made and missed calls, tap on his photo. In the window that appears, showing an enlarged user avatar and a list of options applicable to it, tap the icon "Camera" .
    2. As a result of the implementation of the previous paragraph of the recommendations, the connection will immediately start, and you will only have to wait for the subscriber's response.

    Method 3: Contact card

    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.

    1. Launch WhatsApp and go to view the card of the contact to whom the video call will be made. This can be done in one of two ways:
      • On the "Chats" tab of the application in the lower right corner, click on the button to create a new conversation - "Write" . Then touch the avatar of the future subscriber in the list of address book entries that opens and go to view detailed information about him by tapping on the icon "i" .
      • Go to the open chat menu by touching the three dots at the top right of the screen and press View contact .
    2. In the "Details and phone number" area of the screen that opens, touch the icon "Camera" located to the right of the video caller ID. As a result, the call to the selected subscriber will immediately start.

    Method 4: Switch from audio call

    When making a voice call, you can quickly use your device's camera and thus switch to video calling.

    1. Initiate an audio call to another WhatsApp member or answer an incoming voice call.

      Read more: Voice calls via WhatsApp app for Android

    2. During the conversation, tap the icon "Camera" in the bottom bar on the screen shown by the application and then confirm the system request by tapping "TOGGLE" in the displayed window.
    3. If your interlocutor expresses a desire and activates the button "Switch" in his messenger, then you will continue communication with the video.

    Method 5: Android Contacts

    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.

    1. Open Contacts Android as if you were going to make a regular phone call
    2. Find the contact you want to make a video call to and tap on their name to open the details screen.
    3. Find the option indicated by the WhatsApp icon among other interface elements on the screen and tap on it. Next press "Video call USER_NUMBER" .
    4. The execution of the above manipulations ends with the launch of the messenger and the automatic initiation of a video call to another user through the WhatsApp service.

    Method 6: Group video calls

    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.

    Option 1: Group chat

    1. In the messenger, go to the group where you are a member. Or create a new chat, including the contacts of future video call participants.

      Read more:
      How to create a WhatsApp group chat for Android
      Add members to a WhatsApp group from an Android device

    2. Touch the icon "Handset +" located to the right of the group name. In the list displayed below "Select contacts to call" touch in turn the names of the users included in the negotiation process with the involvement of the cameras of their devices.
    3. Having completed the selection of conference call participants, click on the round button "Camera" , which is located to the right of the row formed by their avatars. That's almost all - wait for the response of the users invited to communicate.

    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.

    1. Initiate a video call using any of the methods suggested above in the article and wait for the subscriber to answer.
    2. Touch the button "Add member" located in the upper right corner of the screen. Next, click on the name of the user invited to communicate in the user group, finding it among the entries in the WhatsApp address book that opens.
    3. Confirm the request from the application and then wait for the person to be included in the conversation to respond.
    4. By following the previous steps of the instructions again, you can invite another WhatsApp account owner to a conversation using the camera.

    How to make a video call with WhatsApp for iPhone

    To use the video calling feature on iPhone, WhatsApp for iOS users can follow different paths, and all of them are very simple.

    Setting

    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).

    1. Go to "Settings" iOS, scroll down the list of options that opens. In the list of software installed on the iPhone, find "WhatsApp" and tap the name of the program.
    2. In the opened list of options "ALLOW ACCESS TO THE WHATSAPP PROGRAM" activate the switches "Microphone" and "Camera" or do not make any changes in the parameters if the modules are already connected to the program.
    3. Exit the iPhone settings - this completes the system configuration and then you can proceed to select the method of initiating a video call via WhatsApp.

    Method 1: Chat

    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.

    1. Launch messenger on iPhone.

    2. In any way, open a chat with the user to whom the video call will be made:
    3. While in a chat, tap the 9 button next to the person's name or ID0140 "Camera" , which will immediately start a video call.
    4. Wait for the subscriber's answer and conduct a conversation using the cameras of your devices. During video communication, you can switch from the front camera to the main one and vice versa (1), as well as temporarily turn off the image capture module (2) and/or the microphone using the buttons located at the bottom of the screen.
    5. To end the call, touch the Hang Up button or wait for the other party to do so.

    Method 2: Section "Calls"

    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

    1. Open WhatsApp and tap the "Calls" icon in the sections panel at the bottom of its main screen.
    2. Press button "New call" in the upper right corner. Next, select the video call contact in the list of address book entries and tap the interface element located to the right of his name and made in the form of a camera.
    3. The video call addressed to the messenger participant selected in the step above will start immediately.

    Option 2: Call log

    Once you have communicated with one or another person registered in the messenger via voice or video communication or missed a call from one or another WhatsApp participant, you will record one of these facts in the 9 provided for these purposes0140 "Journal" and subsequently you can initiate calls from it.

    1. Open the section "Calls" in the WhatsApp program and find the mark of the fact of a made or missed call in the list displayed by the messenger. Click the go to contact details view icon - "i" to the right of the contact's name or ID.
    2. On the contact card that opens, click the second icon "Camera" located under the user's photo and to the left of his name or number.
    3. As in other cases, wait for your call to be answered, after which you can conduct a conversation while observing the environment of the other user on the screen of your iPhone.

    Method 3: iOS Contacts

    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.

    1. Open Contacts iOS and search for the desired user among the entries displayed on the screen. Touch the name of the subscriber, which will open before you detailed information about him.
    2. Press the button "video" located under the name of the contact, then select "WhatsApp" in the list of available video call services that appears at the bottom of the screen and tap the subscriber's phone number.
    3. This will launch the messenger and automatically initiate a video call.

    Method 4: Switching from an audio call

    If you need to see your contact and/or their surroundings while making a voice call via WhatsApp, you can easily activate a video call without interrupting the call.

    1. Start a voice call through the messenger in any way or answer an incoming call from another member of the information exchange system.

      2. Read more: How to make WhatsApp calls from iPhone

    2. During the conversation, activate the iPhone camera by pressing the middle of the buttons on the screen - "Camera" . Confirm the request received from the WhatsApp program by touching under it "Switch" .
    3. After your interlocutor confirms his consent to participate in communication with the video, you will be able to see the picture captured by the camera of his device.

    Method 5: Group video calls

    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, video communication between several (up to 4 at the same time) users of the service in question is very easily organized And it's not the only way to do this.

    Option 1: Existing group chat

    1. Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone and go to a group you are already a member of. Or create a new conversation that brings together several account holders in the messenger.

      Read more:
      Create a WhatsApp group chat for iPhone
      How to add a member to a WhatsApp group from iPhone

    2. After opening the correspondence, click on the button "New call" - this interface element is located at the top of the screen to the right of the group name. In the list of chat participants that appears below, check the checkboxes next to the names of users invited to video chat.
    3. Having completed the formation of the list of persons to be combined by video call, click on the button "Camera" to the right of the row formed by their avatars.
    4. Wait for the response of the people invited to the conference call, and conduct negotiations in the most informative way available today.

    Option 2: Calls section

    1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls section of the program. Next tap "New call" in the upper right corner of the screen.
    2. Click on the option name "New group call" located under the contact search field. Highlight the names of future conference participants by checking the checkboxes located to the right of them.

    3. Once you've made your selection, tap on the icon "Camera" . As a result, a video call will start, addressed simultaneously to several users registered in WhatsApp.

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