Video calling has gone from novelty to necessity, and for good reason: seeing a familiar face is simply not the same as hearing a voice on the phone. If you've been hesitant to try it, or have tried it and found it confusing, this guide will walk you through everything you need — step by step, without the jargon.
What You'll Need
Before you make your first video call, check that you have:
- A smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with a built-in or attached camera
- A reliable internet connection (Wi-Fi works best)
- The relevant app installed (details below)
- The other person's phone number or email address, depending on the app
Most smartphones made in the last eight years have perfectly capable cameras for video calls. You don't need any special equipment.
FaceTime: Step-by-Step
FaceTime comes built into iPhones and iPads, so there's nothing to install. This is the easiest option if everyone you're calling uses Apple devices.
- Open the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad (it has a green icon with a white video camera).
- Tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner.
- Type in the name, phone number, or email address of the person you want to call. Their name should appear if they're in your contacts.
- Tap the Video button (the camera icon) to start a video call.
- The other person's phone will ring. When they answer, you'll see their face on your screen.
- To end the call, tap the red phone button.
If someone calls you on FaceTime, a green banner will appear at the top of your screen. Tap it and then tap Accept.
Zoom: Step-by-Step
Zoom works on iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and computers, making it the best choice when you're calling people across different types of devices.
- Download Zoom from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). On a computer, go to zoom.us and click "Download".
- Open Zoom and tap Sign Up to create a free account using your email address. You only need to do this once.
- Once signed in, tap New Meeting to start a call. This opens a room that others can join.
- Tap Participants, then Invite, and choose how to share your meeting link — you can send it by text, email, or WhatsApp.
- When your family member receives the link, they simply tap it to join. They don't need their own Zoom account to join a call.
- To end the call, tap End in the top right corner.
Alternatively, if someone else is hosting and sends you a link, just tap the link to join — Zoom will open automatically.
Google Meet: Step-by-Step
Google Meet is a good option if you have a Gmail account and your family members use Android phones or Google products. It's also completely free.
- On a smartphone, download Google Meet from the App Store or Google Play. On a computer, go to meet.google.com.
- Sign in with your Google (Gmail) account.
- Tap New Meeting, then Start an instant meeting.
- Tap the person icon to add participants. You can invite people by sharing the meeting link via text or email.
- Recipients simply tap the link to join — no account required for guests joining via link.
- Tap the red phone button to leave the call.
Looking and Sounding Your Best
Video calls don't require any special preparation, but a few small things make a big difference:
Lighting: The single most important factor. Sit facing a window or a lamp — light should be in front of you, not behind you. If you're backlit (window behind you), your face will appear dark and shadowy. Even moving to face a table lamp makes an enormous difference.
Camera position: Try to position your device so the camera is roughly at eye level. Looking up at a camera from below is unflattering for everyone. If you're using a laptop on a desk, a stack of books under it works perfectly.
Background: A tidy, plain background is better than a cluttered one, but don't overthink it. A bookshelf or a plain wall works well. What matters is that people can see and hear you clearly.
Sound: In a quiet room, the built-in microphone on your phone or laptop is usually fine. If there's background noise — a television, traffic — try to reduce it. Earbuds or headphones with a built-in microphone also improve sound quality significantly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
"They can't see me" / Camera not working: Check that the app has permission to use your camera. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, and make sure the app is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App name] > Permissions.
"They can't hear me" / Microphone not working: Similar to above — check microphone permissions in your phone's settings. Also check that you haven't accidentally muted yourself in the app (there's usually a microphone icon you can tap to unmute).
Call is freezing or pixelated: This is almost always an internet connection issue. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router, or close other apps that might be using bandwidth. If the problem persists, ask the other person if they're having the same trouble.
"I can see myself but not them" / Black screen: Ask the other person to check their camera permissions, or try ending the call and starting a new one.
One Last Thought
The first time you try a video call, it might feel a little awkward. That's perfectly normal. Give it two or three tries and it will become second nature. The payoff — seeing a grandchild's smile, sharing a cup of tea with a friend who lives far away — is worth a little initial fumbling.