How to Use Marco Polo to Send Video Messages to Family

Marco Polo lets you send short video messages that family can watch whenever they want — perfect for staying connected across time zones or busy schedules.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Download Marco Polo and create your account
2.Send your first video message
3.Watch messages sent to you
4.Start a group conversation for family updates

Download Marco Polo and create your account

~27s

Marco Polo is free in the App Store and Google Play. Search for "Marco Polo — Video Messaging." Open the app and enter your phone number. You will receive a verification text with a code — enter it. Add your name and an optional profile photo. The app will show you which of your contacts also use Marco Polo. Marco Polo works only with people who also have the app — but it is free, so inviting family members costs nothing.

Send your first video message

~38s

Tap a contact's name to open a conversation. Press and hold the large camera button at the bottom of the screen. While holding it, speak to the camera like you are talking to the person — "Hi Mom, I was thinking of you today and wanted to show you the garden. Look at these tomatoes!" Release the button to stop recording. The video sends automatically. You can record multiple clips in one conversation — tap and hold again to add another video to the same chat.

Quick Tip

You do not need to look perfect on camera. Marco Polo is meant for casual, unscripted moments — most people use it like they would a text conversation, just in video form.

Watch messages sent to you

~22s

When someone sends you a Marco Polo, you get a notification. Open the app and tap the conversation with a blue dot (indicating unwatched messages). The video plays automatically. After it plays, you can record a reply immediately or come back to it later. You can also tap the screen while a video is playing to add a reaction (heart, laugh, clap), which the sender will see.

Start a group conversation for family updates

~25s

Marco Polo supports group conversations — tap the compose button → "New Group" → add family members. In a group, anyone can post a video and everyone sees it. This works well for keeping a whole family connected without everyone having to be on a call at the same time. Grandparents can post videos of what they are up to; grandchildren can send videos from school events. Everyone checks in at their own pace.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Use Marco Polo to Send Video Messages to Family

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Marco Polo is a free app that lets you record and send short video messages — like video voicemail. Unlike FaceTime or Zoom, both people do not have to be available at the same time. You record a message and send it; the other person watches it and records a reply when they are ready. It is popular with families spread across different time zones, grandparents staying connected with grandchildren, and anyone who wants to share a moment without scheduling a call.

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