Communication

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Video Calling Made Simple: Stay Connected with Family

Video calls let you see the faces of people you love, no matter how far away they are. This guide walks you through choosing an app, making your first call, and looking great on camera.

15 min read 9 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

Why video calling matters

~2 min

Video calling is more than a technology trick — it is a way to stay part of people's lives. Here are some of the reasons people love it: You can see your grandchildren grow up, even if they live in another state or country. You can watch them show off a school project, a new tooth, or a silly dance. You can stay connected with friends and siblings without needing to travel. A weekly video call can become something you look forward to every week. Research shows that video calls help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for people who live alone. Seeing a friendly face makes a bigger difference than you might expect. You can also use video calls for practical things — showing a doctor a rash during a telehealth visit, having a family meeting to plan a reunion, or getting help from a grandchild when your computer is acting up (they can see your screen!). The bottom line: if you have people in your life you wish you could see more often, video calling is one of the simplest ways to make that happen.

Quick Tip

You do not need to be "good with technology" to use video calling. If you can answer a phone call, you can learn this. The apps are designed to be simple.

Choosing the right app for you

~2 min

There are several video calling apps available, and they are all free. Here is a simple comparison to help you choose: FaceTime — This comes already installed on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you and the person you want to call both have Apple devices, FaceTime is the easiest option. You do not need to download anything or create an account. It just works. However, FaceTime does not work on Android phones or Windows computers. Zoom — This works on every device: iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and computers. It is the most popular choice for group calls with multiple people. You do need to download the app and create a free account, but setup takes about 5 minutes. Zoom is the best choice if your family uses a mix of different devices. Google Meet — This works in any web browser, so you do not need to download anything on a computer. On phones and tablets, there is a free app. If you already have a Gmail account, you already have access to Google Meet. WhatsApp Video — This is very popular for one-on-one calls and small groups. If you already use WhatsApp for messaging, video calling is built right in — just tap the video camera icon in any conversation. Works on all phones. Facebook Messenger — If you use Facebook, you can make video calls directly through Messenger. Tap any conversation and hit the video camera button. Simple if you are already on Facebook.

Quick Tip

Not sure which to pick? Ask your family members what they already use. The best app is the one your family is already comfortable with. If nobody has a preference, Zoom is the safest bet because it works on everything.

Setting up Zoom step by step

~2 min

Zoom works on any device, which makes it the most universal choice. Here is how to set it up: On a phone or tablet: 1. Open the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). 2. Search for "Zoom Workplace" — this is the current name of the Zoom app. 3. Tap "Get" or "Install" and wait for it to download. 4. Open the app and tap "Sign Up." Enter your email address and create a password, or tap "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Apple" if you prefer. 5. Check your email for a confirmation message from Zoom. Tap the link in the email to verify your account. 6. Open the Zoom app again. You are ready to go. On a computer: 1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox). 2. Go to zoom.us. 3. Click the orange "Sign Up" button in the top-right corner. 4. Enter your email address and follow the steps to create your free account. 5. Zoom will ask you to download a small program. Click "Download" and then open the file to install it. 6. Once installed, open Zoom and sign in with the email and password you just created. That is it — Zoom is set up and ready to use.

Quick Tip

Write down your Zoom email and password somewhere safe, like a notebook you keep near your computer. You will need them if you ever sign out or get a new device.

Making your first video call

~2 min

Now for the fun part — actually calling someone. Here is how to do it on Zoom: To start a call: 1. Open the Zoom app. 2. Tap or click "New Meeting." Your camera will turn on and you will see yourself on the screen. 3. Tap "Invite" at the bottom of the screen. 4. Choose how you want to invite the other person — you can send a text message, an email, or copy the link and paste it into any messaging app. 5. The other person taps the link you sent, and they join your call. That is it. To join someone else's call: 1. If someone sends you a Zoom link (it looks like https://zoom.us/j/123456789), just tap or click the link. 2. Zoom will open automatically. Tap "Join with Video" and then "Join with Audio." 3. You are in the call. During the call, you will see the other person's face on your screen, and they will see yours. You can talk naturally, just like a phone call — except you can see each other. The main buttons at the bottom of the screen are: Mute (turns your microphone on or off), Stop Video (turns your camera on or off), and End (hangs up the call).

Quick Tip

Do a practice call with a patient family member first. Call your daughter, son, or a tech-savvy friend and ask them to walk through it with you. Once you have done it once, it becomes second nature.

Tips for looking and sounding your best

~2 min

You do not need fancy equipment to look and sound great on a video call. A few small adjustments make a big difference: Lighting: Sit facing a window or a lamp so the light shines on your face. If the light is behind you, you will look like a dark shadow to the other person. Natural light from a window in front of you is the best and easiest option. Camera angle: Position your phone, tablet, or computer so the camera is roughly at eye level. If the camera is too low (like in your lap), people will be looking up your nose. Prop your phone against a stack of books or a coffee mug to raise it up. On a laptop, a couple of thick books under the laptop works well. Background: You do not need a fancy background, but take a quick glance behind you before the call. A tidy room or a plain wall looks nice. Avoid having a bright window directly behind you. Sound: Find a quiet room and close the door if possible. Turn off the TV and radio. If other people are in the house, let them know you are on a call. Speak in your normal voice — you do not need to shout. Clothing: Wear what makes you comfortable, but solid colors tend to look better on camera than very busy patterns. Just be yourself.

Quick Tip

Before an important call, open Zoom and tap "New Meeting" just to check how you look. You can see your own camera view without actually calling anyone. Adjust your position and lighting until you are happy with what you see, then end the meeting and start the real call.

Group calls with family

~2 min

One of the best things about video calling is getting multiple people on the same call — a family dinner, a birthday celebration, or a holiday gathering when everyone cannot be in the same place. How to set up a group call on Zoom: 1. Open Zoom and tap "New Meeting." 2. Tap "Invite" and send the link to everyone you want on the call. You can send it to as many people as you like. 3. As each person joins, their face will appear on the screen. Zoom automatically arranges everyone so you can see all the faces at once. The free version of Zoom allows up to 100 people on a call. Group calls with 3 or more people have a 40-minute time limit on the free plan. When the time is almost up, Zoom will warn you, and you can simply start a new call and send the link again. Other apps for group calls: FaceTime allows group calls with up to 32 people (Apple devices only). WhatsApp allows up to 32 people. Google Meet allows up to 100 people with a free account. Facebook Messenger allows up to 50 people. Tips for group calls: Mute yourself when you are not talking — this cuts down on background noise and echoes. Tap the microphone button to mute, and tap it again when you want to speak. Take turns speaking. On a group call, it is hard to talk over each other. A simple system works: say "go ahead" when you are done, or have one person lead the conversation. If someone's audio is echoing, ask them to use headphones or earbuds. This usually fixes it immediately.

Quick Tip

Schedule a regular family video call — like every Sunday at 2 PM. Having a set time means everyone plans for it, and it becomes a nice weekly tradition.

Troubleshooting common issues

~2 min

Video calls usually work smoothly, but sometimes things go wrong. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them: No sound — other person cannot hear you: Check that you are not on mute. Look for the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. If it has a red line through it, tap it to unmute. Also check that your phone or computer volume is turned up. No sound — you cannot hear the other person: Turn up your device volume using the physical buttons on the side of your phone or the volume keys on your keyboard. If you are on a phone, make sure it is not set to silent mode. On Zoom, tap the screen to see the controls, then tap "Audio" and make sure "Call using Internet Audio" is selected. No video — the other person cannot see you: Look for the camera icon at the bottom of the screen. If it has a line through it, tap it to turn your camera on. If that does not work, close the app completely and reopen it. The app may need permission to use your camera — if it asks, tap "Allow." Frozen screen or choppy video: This usually means your internet connection is slow. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router. If the problem continues, turn off your camera and continue with voice only — this uses less internet. You can also try closing other apps on your device that might be using the internet. Echo or feedback: If you hear your own voice echoing back, ask the other person to use headphones or earbuds. The echo is usually caused by their speakers and microphone being too close together. Call dropped or cannot connect: Check that your Wi-Fi is working — try opening a website in your browser. If your internet is fine, close the Zoom app and reopen it, or click the invitation link again.

Warning

If your internet is not working at all, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to restart, then try your call again.

Video calling on tablet, phone, or computer

~2 min

You can make video calls on almost any device you already own. Each has its strengths: Tablet (iPad or Android tablet): Many people find tablets the best choice for video calls. The screen is big enough to see faces clearly, but the tablet is light enough to hold or prop up easily. The camera is good quality, and the speakers are usually loud enough without headphones. If you have a tablet, try it first. Smartphone (iPhone or Android): Your phone works great for video calls, especially one-on-one calls. The screen is smaller, so faces will be smaller too, but it is the most convenient option because you always have it with you. Use it propped up against something rather than holding it — your arm will get tired and the picture will be shaky. Laptop or desktop computer: Computers work very well for longer calls and group calls because the screen is large and you do not have to hold anything. Most laptops have a built-in camera at the top of the screen. Desktop computers may need a separate webcam — a basic one costs about $25 to $40 and plugs in with a USB cable. A few things to keep in mind: All devices need a working internet connection — either Wi-Fi or cellular data (though cellular data can use up your data plan quickly during video calls). Make sure your device is charged or plugged in before a long call. Video calls use more battery than regular phone calls. Headphones or earbuds with a built-in microphone can improve sound quality on any device. They also help if you are in a noisy room or if you are hard of hearing.

Quick Tip

If you are buying a device mainly for video calling, a tablet is often the best balance of screen size, ease of use, and portability. A basic iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab works wonderfully.

Staying safe on video calls

~2 min

Video calling is very safe when you follow a few common-sense rules: Do not answer video calls from people you do not know. If you get a call from an unfamiliar number or name, let it go. Legitimate callers will leave a message or try another way to reach you. This is the same rule as with regular phone calls. Be careful with screen sharing. Some video calling apps let you share your screen — this means the other person can see everything on your screen, including open emails, personal documents, or bank information. Only share your screen with people you trust, and close anything private before you start sharing. On Zoom, you have to specifically tap "Share Screen" for this to happen — it does not happen by default. Watch out for fake meeting links. If you receive an email or text asking you to join a video call from someone you do not recognize, do not click the link. Scammers sometimes send fake meeting invitations to steal personal information. Only join calls you are expecting, from people you know. Keep your app updated. When your phone or computer asks you to update Zoom, FaceTime, or any other app, say yes. Updates fix security problems and keep you protected. Be aware of your surroundings. Before joining a call, glance behind you. Make sure there is nothing visible that you would not want others to see — personal documents on a desk, medication bottles, financial statements, or anything private. You control your camera. Remember that you can turn your camera off at any time by tapping the camera button. If you are not comfortable being on video for any reason, you can still participate with voice only.

Warning

Never share personal information like passwords, Social Security numbers, or bank details during a video call — even if the caller claims to be from your bank, the government, or a tech company. Real organizations will never ask for this information over a video call.

You Did It!

You've completed: Video Calling Made Simple: Stay Connected with Family

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There is nothing quite like seeing someone's face when you talk to them. A phone call is nice, but a video call lets you watch your grandchild blow out birthday candles, see your friend's new garden, or just share a cup of coffee with someone you miss.

Video calling used to feel complicated, but today it is easier than ever. If you can tap a button on your phone or click a link on your computer, you can make a video call.

Millions of people use video calls every day to stay close to the people they love. Studies show that seeing someone's face during a conversation helps you feel more connected than a regular phone call — and it can make a real difference if you live alone or far from family.

This guide will walk you through everything step by step: which app to choose, how to set it up, how to make your first call, and how to look and sound your best. By the end, you will be ready to see your loved ones face to face — from anywhere.

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