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With the coronavirus pandemic, you might find yourself separated from friends and family with no way to see them. Luckily, if you have access to a new smartphone, you have different options to get in touch with them. The best method is having a video call with them. There are many ways to have a video call on your iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S20.
iPhone 11
For the iPhone 11, there are a couple different methods you can use to make a video call. If the other person has an iPhone, you should use FaceTime. If they don’t have an iPhone, you can use WhatsApp to video call them.
FaceTime
The built-in videoconference app is called FaceTime. Every iPhone 11 has access to the app, and it is automatically loaded on your phone. If you want to video call someone who has an iPhone, you should use FaceTime. If not, you’ll need to use another video calling method.
How to use FaceTime
One way to start a FaceTime call is to tell Siri “Make a FaceTime call” and follow her instructions. Otherwise, you can navigate to the FaceTime app on your phone. In the app, click the plus button at the top right of the screen.
Now you have the option to type in the number or the name of the person you want to call. You then have to click the “Video” button on the screen and the video call will start.
If you can’t seem to find the FaceTime app, go to your contacts list and open the contact you wish to call. There will be an option there to start a video call with them.
There’s a great app you can download on your iPhone 11 called WhatsApp. It allows you to text, call, and even video call other people who have the app.
How to use WhatsApp
To start a video call, open up the conversation you have with the person you want to video chat. Then go to the toolbar at the top. Next to the person’s name, there will be a “Video” button that you can hit to start video chatting with this person.
Samsung Galaxy S20
If you have the newest Android 11 phone, you have the option to video call people. There are different options available for you. If the person you want to call has an Android 11 phone, you can use the built-in Google Duo video call to reach them. If they don’t have a Droid phone, then you can use Skype or Facebook Messenger to video conference them during this infection.
Google Duo
Google duo is the Galaxy S20’s built-in video call. It’s very convenient if your friend or family member also has an Android phone. It will help you keep in touch during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to use Google Duo
To use it, open your phone dialer and select the contact that you want to video call. Underneath the contact details, there’s an option to start the video call with a camera icon. This will begin a video call with them.
Another option is you can call this person on the phone, and when they pick up there’s an option on your screen to “Video Call” them.
Skype
If the person you want to video call doesn’t have an Android phone and you want to call during the coronavirus quarantine, you can download Skype on your phone. Both people would need to download Skype.
How to use Skype
To start a video call, open the app and make sure you’re logged in to your Skype account. Then hit the “Menu” button, then hit “Settings”. Scroll down to “Voice and Video Calls” and make sure that “Enable Video Calling” is turned on.
To make a call, go to “contacts” in the Skype app and select the person you wish to video call. Then click the “Video Call” button and the call will begin.
Facebook Messenger
Another popular way to stay in touch during this infection is to use Facebook Messenger. If you have a Facebook account, you can use it to log into Facebook Messenger on your phone. First, download Facebook Messenger and log in. Open the app and select the person you want to video call.
When the conversation opens, you’ll notice a video camera icon in the top right of your screen. Press that button, and it will initiate a video call with this person.
Closing Thoughts
It’s a scary time with the coronavirus infection circulating around the world. A lot of areas are calling for shutdowns and limited travel. This makes it hard to see your friends and family. Luckily you can resort to videoconference apps to stay in touch. If you have an iPhone 11, you can use FaceTime or WhatsApp to keep in contact with them. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S20, you can use the built-in Google Duo, Skype, or Facebook Messenger to video call them.