General
How to make video calls
Video calling is a great way to keep in touch. When you make a video call you can see and hear your family and friends. It’s the next best thing to sitting down to have a chat with someone in the same room. They could be on the other side of the world or just around the corner.
In this guide we show you the basics of how to make video calls and take you through some of the more popular video calling options. We also take a look at accessibility features for people who are blind or deaf or have a vision or hearing impairment.
In this article:
What you need to get started
To make a video call, you’ll need:
- A smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera, microphone and speakers. Most devices these days come with everything you need but you can buy a separate microphone and/or camera if your device doesn’t have one.
- A video calling program or application (‘app’ for short) to make the video calls, such as Skype, WhatsApp or FaceTime.
- An internet connection. If you’re using your smartphone to make a video call it’s best to do it while connected to Wi-Fi so you don’t have to use your mobile data.
If you’d like help with setting up for a video call or locating the microphone and speaker on your device, take a look at our course on what you need for video calling.
Video calling apps
Skype
Skype is a calling app that is both popular and free. It lets you make video and voice calls to other people as long as they have Skype. You need to create an account to use Skype, then add your contacts to make calls. Group chats are available for up to 50 people at once.
What device can you use?
Skype is most popular on computers but can also be used on smartphones and tablets. There are also specialist Skype enabled devices such as captioned video phones.
How to use Skype
See our course on how to use Skype and check out the accessibility features available for Skype.
FaceTime
Every Apple device comes with the FaceTime app, so you can make voice and video calls with other people who have an Apple device. FaceTime works with your device’s existing contacts list, making it easy to call the people you know. You can talk for as long as you like, and you can also make a group FaceTime chat with up to 32 people.
What device can you use?
FaceTime can only be used on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, iPod touch and Mac computers.
How to use FaceTime
See our course on how to use FaceTime and check out the accessibility features available for Apple devices and apps.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp lets you send messages, images and video, as well as make audio and video calls to other WhatsApp users. To use WhatsApp, you need to create an account. It’s user friendly and has end-to-end encryption. This means your messages remain private, so they can only be seen by you and the recipient(s).
How to use WhatsApp
See our course on how to use WhatsApp. WhatsApp does not have specific accessibility features but you may be able to use the accessibility features on your device.
Zoom
Zoom has recently grown in popularity for personal voice and video calls. If you want to invite someone to join a video call, you need to create a Zoom account and email them a link. However, you don’t need a Zoom account when someone else sends you a link to join a call. The free Zoom plan has a 40 minute time limit on group calls of three people or more. Currently there are some concerns with Zoom's security, although it should be ok to use as long as you sign in with a password and avoid sending personal or sensitive information via Zoom.
What device can you use?
Most people use Zoom on their computers, but it’s also available on phones and tablets.
How to use Zoom
See our course on How to use Zoom and check out the accessibility features.
Google Duo
Google Duo lets you make video and voice calls with up to eight people for free. You can also send pre-recorded video messages, which is handy if you want to leave a video message for someone who is busy or in another time zone. Google Duo uses end-to-end encryption so your conversations remain private.
What device can you use?
Google Duo works on most smartphones, tablets and computers.
How to use Google Duo
Find out more about how to set up Google Duo and check out the accessibility features.
Accessibility features
Many video calling apps include features to help people who are blind or deaf or have a vision or hearing impairment. For example, Skype and Zoom offer live or closed captioning that translates spoken words into text on your screen. And Skype, Zoom, FaceTime and Google Duo are designed to work with screen readers.
Your device should also have built in accessibility features to help make it easier to use. Take a look at our courses for more information on how to adjust the settings for your smartphone, tablet and computer.
