Now it's time to be more responsible than ever. We have been home for several days now and we have taken advantage of our free time to watch a few (long) series, we have organized our cupboards and we have even learned several new recipes. I don't know if the same thing happens to you but, for me, the worst thing about this quarantine is that I can't see my family and friends … Every day I want to talk to my parents and see the faces of those friends with whom I can't stay during this difficult time.
For this reason, during the last week I have tried a lot of free apps that allow making group video calls and I want to tell you which ones have worked best for me.
Now it's time to be more responsible than ever. We have been home for several days now and we have taken advantage of our free time to watch a few (long) series, we have organized our cupboards and we have even learned several new recipes. I don't know if the same thing happens to you but, for me, the worst thing about this quarantine is that I can't see my family and friends … Every day I want to talk to my parents and see the faces of those friends with whom I can't stay during this difficult time.
For this reason, during the last week I have tried a lot of free apps that allow making group video calls and I want to tell you which ones have worked best for me.
Houseparty
Houseparty
One of the group video calling applications that triumphs on iOS and Android. We love it, because it is a multiplatform app (Android, iOS and computers) that allows group video calls of up to eight people . It is very intuitive! Without a doubt, a perfect option if you have to talk to your coworkers. Best of all, you don't need to register a phone number(a username is enough). After downloading the app, you will have to enter an email address, your name, username and password. You can connect this app with Facebook to find out which of your friends use it too. To make a group video call, open a video call with any of the participants and the others just have to click on the 'Join' of the users who are in the video call. And don't miss it! You can also send text messages, like on WhatsApp.
Skype
Skype
Skype allows group video conferences of up to 10 people. Enter the Chats page in the app and click on the pencil icon. Then, choose the New call option to make a new individual or group video conference (no need to create a group first). Choose the contacts and click on the Call button to start the video call. That easy!
Hangouts
Hangouts
It allows group video calls of up to 10 people (in the case of having the paid version we would go up to 25 members). Do you have a Google account? Then you already have one of Hangouts . We love it, because it offers very good picture and sound quality. How to make a video call? Go to hangouts.google.com, click New Conversation and New Group . Type or select the names, phone numbers, or email addresses of the people you want to add, and click Video Call .
If you don't want to complicate your life, you can use WhatsApp (it allows you to make a video call with four people). How? Just open a new conversation with one of your contacts and select the video camera icon. When you have answered the call, you can add new participants to the video conference: press the button at the top right of the screen and choose the contact you want to add to the call.
Zoom
Zoom
To begin with, it is very important that you know that in its free mode, videoconferences will be limited to 40 minutes. Only the hosts who create the meeting room need to register in the app (other users don't have to). Go to Zoom.us to create a new account. You will have to write your name, surname and the password that you want to use in your host account. To make a video call, go to the Meetings section and click on the Schedule a new meeting button that will appear in the Upcoming Meetings tab . Configure the meeting you want to schedule (give it a name and choose the theme) and click on the Save buttonto confirm the creation of the meeting. The Zoom website will ask you to download an application for your computer with which to make video calls. When you have the program installed, you can start or join the video call. Invite other people and that's it!
In case you didn't know, you can also use Instagram . This app allows group video calls of up to four people. How to make a video call? Enter the Direct option (that of private messages). Create a group with the people you want to talk to and click on the camera icon at the top right to start the video conference with the group members. That easy!
Facetime
Facetime
An app only for iOS users. Each video call accepts up to 32 people at a time, but does not support an Android-Apple connection. To make a video call, start Group FaceTime directly from a group conversation in Messages . Follow these steps: open Messages and start a group conversation or a group conversation that you already have; Tap the contacts at the top of the group conversation, hit FaceTime , then start the call.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger
If all of your friends you want to talk to are on Facebook, great! You have two ways to make a group video call:
- If you are already a member of a group, go to the Groups tab of Facebook Messenger and then tap on the group you want to call (the video camera icon). Don't panic, it is not necessary for everyone to answer. Whoever accepts the call will join.
- And if you don't have a group, don't worry, go to the Calls tab and tap on Start group call. Choose the contacts you want to include in the video call and you're done.
