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How to Video Call on Android in 3 Easy Steps

Video calling has revolutionized long-distance communication, enabling us to see our loved ones across the world with just a few taps on our phones. While early video calling required dedicated equipment and software, advancements in smartphone technology have now made it possible to video chat easily using the device in your pocket.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history of video calling, the various video chat options available for Android users, tips for making high quality video calls, and troubleshooting advice for common issues. Whether you are a novice Android user looking to stay connected with friends and family remotely or a power user wanting to take your video calling game to the next level, you will find this guide helpful. So let‘s get started!

A Brief History of Video Calling

While the concept of video telephony was imagined as early as the late 1800s, it took over a century before the required technology matured enough for practical implementations. AT&T carried out early experimentation with TV-based video calling in the 1960s, but high costs and insufficient call quality stalled wide adoption.

In the 1990s, the advent of digital networks and webcam technologies enabled PC-based video calling over the Internet. Solutions like CU-SeeMe became popular in niche use cases, but video calls largely remained a novelty due to the complexity of early hardware/software and the lack of sufficient bandwidth globally.

The proliferation of mobile broadband, improvements in display/camera modules of smartphones and the meteoric rise of apps completely transformed video calling from the late 2000s. Skype led the charge initially, becoming synonymous with video calls for the better part of the last decade. However, the video calling space saw intense innovation from both startups and tech giants alike on the mobile front recently.

Today video calling is ubiquitous, deeply integrated across both mobile and desktop operating systems allowing users to stay visually connected with friends & family easily. Apple‘s Facetime, Microsoft Teams and Facebook‘s messenger have made casual video calls commonplace. At the same time, Zoom & Google Meet cater well to enterprise use cases. Indeed, video calling has graduated from early science fiction to an indispensable facet of modern digital life.

Video Calling on Android: Key Options

Android users are spoiled for choice when it comes to apps for video chat. Let‘s briefly summarize some popular options:

Google Duo/Meet

As Android‘s developer, Google offers two solid video chat apps – Duo for casual consumer video calling and Meet for enterprise meetings. Both integrate well with your google account and contacts. Duo offers a simple interface, while Meet comes packed with collaboration features. Calls are end-to-end encrypted on both platforms.

WhatsApp

The messaging giant also lets you make secure one-on-one or group video calls. Being the world‘s most popular chat app, chances are you already have WhatsApp installed and can instantly video call your friends or family worldwide.

Facebook Messenger

Along expected messaging functionality, Facebook‘s app also enables making video and audio calls. This is handy if most contacts are already on Facebook. Group calls are enabled via the Messenger Rooms feature.

Telegram

The encrypted messaging app has also gradually built extensive support for video calls in recent times. It enables picture-in-picture mode so you can multitask during lengthy calls.

Zoom

While popular in the enterprise world originally, Zoom became a household name in the work-from-home pandemic era. It remains a solid app for large video meetings or webinars with features like screen sharing, recording etc.

There are several more niche video calling apps, but the above list covers most mainstream consumer use cases. Now let‘s jump into the step-by-step guide on making video calls using different Android options:

Method #1: Using Your Phone‘s Default App

If you haven‘t installed third party calling/messaging apps, start by checking if your phone‘s default dialer app supports video calling functionality:

Step 1: Open Your Contacts List

Launch your phone default Phone or Dialer app. This is usually preinstalled or set as default on your homescreen/app drawer.

Once launched, open the Contacts tab inside the dialer app. This will display a list of all contacts synced with your device.

Step 2: Tap on The Contact You Wish to Video Call

Browse or search your contacts list to select the person you wish to initiate a video call with.

Tap on their name/number to open their contact profile.

Step 3: Check for Video Call button

Inside the contact profile screen, see if there is a dedicated video calling button or icon beside the usual call button.

For example, in Google‘s Phone app you would see both a Call and Video Call button.

If available, proceed to next step to directly video call the contact using your phone‘s native dialer.

Step 4: Initiate Video Call

To begin your video call, simply tap on the Video Call button for the selected contact.

If prompted, allow the app access to your phone‘s camera and microphone when permissions pop-up.

Once access is enabled, the video call will instantly connect with live video footage from your phone‘s front camera.

Congrats, you have successfully initiated a video call via your device‘s default phone/dialer app!

Method #2: Google Duo

Google Duo is Android‘s native one-on-one video calling app. It has a simple interface and neatly integrates with your google account and contacts.

Follow these easy steps to video chat using Google Duo:

Step 1: Install Google Duo

If Duo isn‘t already installed, download it from the Play Store on your Android device.Du

Alternately, you can install Duo from google‘s website as well.

Step 2: Sign-in With Your Google account

When launched for the first time, Duo will prompt you to sign in with your Google ID.

Use the same Google/Gmail credentials that you use on your Android device for ease of syncing.

Grant the necessary permissions requested by the app.

Step 3: Allow Access to Contacts

On the Duo home screen, tap Allow when prompted for contacts access.

This syncs Duo with all contacts on your phone and google account.

All contacts who also have Duo will show up instantly under the Contacts tab within the app.

Step 4: Video call your contacts

Under Duo‘s Contacts tab, tap on any contact you wish to video call.

Select Video call option on the next screen.

Your video call will instantly connect and start with live camera feed from both ends!

Method #3: Third Party Video Call Apps

In addition to native Google Duo, Android users can choose from several third party apps for video calling purposes. Let‘s go through the simple steps to make video calls using some popular apps:

WhatsApp

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp & Open Chats Tab

Inside the WhatsApp app, select the Chats tab which contains your full messaging history.

Step 2: Tap Contact You Want to Video Call

From your chat list, tap into the conversation window of the contact you wish to initiate video call with.

Step 3: Select Video Camera Button

Within chat window, tap on the video camera icon to switch from standard call options to a video call.

Step 4: Tap Call Button

A confirmation prompt will appear – tap Call to begin your WhatsApp video call!

Facebook Messenger

Step 1: Launch Messenger & Open Chats

Inside the Facebook Messenger app, tap into the Chats tab showcasing your messages.

Step 2: Select Contact Chat

Browse chats and tap into the messaging window of the contact you want to video call.

Alternately start a new message chain by tapping the Pencil icon.

Step 3: Tap Video Icon

Within the chat window look for the video camera icon and tap it.

Step 4: Confirm Video Call

A popup will confirm the voice/video call. Select Video to connect the video call.

Zoom

Step 1: Sign Up for Zoom

Install the Zoom app from app store and sign up if you don‘t have an account.

Sign in with SSO or manually enter basic details to create your account.

Step 2: Schedule a Meeting

Inside the Zoom app, schedule a new meeting by specifying meeting name, date/time etc.

Enable video capability and disable other features like screen share if not required.

Step 3: Copy Meeting Link

Once your meeting is scheduled, copy the auto-generated meeting invite link.

You will also find other dial-in options to connect to the same meeting.

Step 4: Share Invite, Begin Meeting

Share this invite link with participants via email, messaging apps etc.

At scheduled time, launch meeting from your Zoom app to connect with participants.

That‘s it! Whether using your phone‘s default dialer or third party apps, video calling on Android is fairly straightforward. Follow platform prompts and enable permissions when asked. Make sure you connect using stable wi-fi or high speed cellular data for best experience.

Tips for Making High Quality Video Calls on Android

Now that you know how to make video calls across popular Android apps, apply these handy tips to enhance your overall video chat experience:

Use Stable High-Speed Internet

As video calls involve real-time streaming of high bandwidth audio/video data, the quality and reliability of your internet impacts call quality. Use WiFi or connect to high speed cellular data like 4G/5G for blur-free video.

Check Lighting Conditions

Proper lighting ensures you are visible clearly to the other party. Avoid sitting with bright light behind you. Face a window or add artificial lighting to brighten your face.

Use Device Hands-Free

Holding your phone introduces shakes and impacts video stability. Prop up your phone on a stand or flat surface with camera at eye level for best results.

Minimize Background Noise

Use video calling from quiet indoor locations, wear headphones and mute yourself when not speaking to reduce ambient interference.

Configure Device Settings

Fine-tune camera, microphone, speaker and battery settings on your Android device tailored to your usage for optimal performance.

Applying above tips goes a long way in delivering reliable, glitch-free video call performance comparable to desktop webcams and related hardware.

Troubleshooting Common Android Video Call Issues

Despite following best practices, you may occasionally face some problems with your calls. Apply these troubleshooting tips before assuming issues with your device or internet connection:

Force Stop Apps

Background apps can sometimes interfere with resource intensive tasks like video streaming. Force stop all other apps before initiating a fresh video call.

Reboot Device

If force stopping apps doesn‘t help, completely switch off your Android device and restart it. This clears out existing RAM issues.

Clear App Cache/Data

Corrupted app data can also manifest as freezing video or dropped calls. Clear cache and app data via device settings to fix this.

Check OS/App Updates

Outdated Android OS or video call apps may have performance issues or bugs. Install latest updates for best compatibility.

Toggle Airplane Mode

As a last resort, enable Airplane mode for a minute before turning it off and retrying your video call. This resets connections.

If issues persist despite above measures on your Android, it could point to either network conditions or device hardware faults which may need troubleshooting.

Closing Thoughts

We have covered a lot of ground detailing the rich video calling capabilities of Android phones in this guide. With numerous options across default and third party apps, you can easily stay connected with friends & family through high quality video calls.

Hopefully, the step-by-step setup instructions, usage tips and troubleshooting advice empowers you to become a power user leveraging video calling smartly across your work or personal life!

Do check back as we cover more tips to take your Android productivity to the next level!