How to Video Call Family and Friends
A simple guide to starting a video call on iPhone, Android, or computer so you can see loved ones face to face, no matter what device they use.
3 min read · 5 steps · Checked July 2026
Step 1. Start a FaceTime call (iPhone to iPhone)
Open the FaceTime app, tap the plus button, type the person's name or phone number, and tap the video camera icon to start the call. They'll get a call notification just like a phone call.
Quick Tip
You can also start a FaceTime call directly from a text conversation by tapping the person's name at the top and choosing FaceTime.
Step 2. Start a Google Meet call (works on any device)
Open a web browser and go to meet.google.com, or open the Google Meet app on Android. Tap "New meeting," then "Share" and send the link to whoever you want to join. They can click it from any phone or computer, even without a Google account.
Step 3. Join a video call from a link someone sent you
Tap the link exactly as it was sent to you in a text or email from someone you know. It will open in your browser or the relevant app and ask if you want to join with your camera and microphone on — tap "Join" or "Allow."
Step 4. Turn your camera and microphone on or off during a call
Look for a small camera icon and microphone icon at the bottom of the call screen. Tapping the camera icon turns your video on or off. Tapping the microphone icon mutes or unmutes your sound. A line through the icon means it's currently off.
Step 5. End the call
Tap the red phone icon (sometimes labeled "Leave call") at the bottom of the screen to hang up. On FaceTime, this may be a red button with a phone symbol. On Google Meet, it's usually a red circle with a phone hang-up icon.
Video calling lets you see family and friends face to face even when you can't be in the same room, and it's especially valuable for staying close to grandchildren, checking in on relatives who live far away, or attending a virtual doctor's appointment. Every smartphone and most computers already have a free video calling app installed, so there's nothing extra to buy.
iPhone owners can use FaceTime to call other Apple users for free over Wi-Fi or cell data. For calling someone with an Android phone, or for group calls that mix Apple and Android users, Google Meet works on any device with a web browser and doesn't require anyone to create an account to join a call you start.
If you're ever unsure whether a video call link is legitimate, only click links sent directly by someone you know and were expecting to hear from — scammers sometimes send fake meeting invitations to try to steal personal information. Source: support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380 and support.google.com/meet.
Official sources
- Apple Support — support.apple.com
- iPhone User Guide — support.apple.com
- AppleCare contact options — support.apple.com
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