with these 6 tips you can chat without any problems

WhatsApp is one of our favorite video calling apps. Would you also like to meet digitally or just chat with friends, family or colleagues? In this starter guide we help you on your way!

WhatsApp video calling: 6 tips for a flying start

Catching up with friends in the pub is not always an option. Fortunately, there are countless apps that allow you to see each other. One of the most famous apps is WhatsApp. You probably already use the app to send text messages, but did you know that you can also video call with up to seven others at the same time? We explain how you do that here.

1. How does video calling via WhatsApp work?

It’s actually very simple. All you need is a WhatsApp account and stable internet connection. Keep in mind that video calling consumes more data than ‘normal’ calling. If you have a small internet bundle, it is wise to only make video calls when you are connected to WiFi.

How to make video calls via WhatsApp:

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone;
2. Tap the chat with the contact you want to video call;
3. Tap the camera icon to start a video call.

Do you want to call several people at the same time? Which can! In WhatsApp you can make video calls with up to eight people at the same time. To do this, follow the steps below.

With the buttons in the image you can switch between a video and audio call. Friends can of course also invite you to video call. You will automatically receive a notification, which you can then accept or reject. It does not matter which platform you use. You can also make video calls via WhatsApp with friends who have an Android smartphone.

2. The video quality is disappointing: what can I do about this?

All participants need a stable internet connection, otherwise the image will look grainy or you will experience stuttering. If the video quality is disappointing, it can be smart to move closer to the router in your house, for example. After all, some buildings suffer from ‘blind spots’. The signal is poor in these places. When you call via 4G (or 5G), you will probably be less bothered by this.

Furthermore, of course the telephone with which someone is calling is important for the audio and video quality. An iPhone 13 Pro has much more powerful hardware than, for example, an iPhone 11. In any case, make sure that you are well lit during video calling and that you are in an environment with little ambient noise. That way you can understand each other well.

Do you have headphones or earbuds with built-in microphones, such as the AirPods Pro or AirPods 3? Then insert it during video calling. You hear the sound of others through the earplugs and you avoid reverberation. This is not only good for yourself, but also for the other participants. Because of this, they do not hear themselves through the speakers of your iPhone.

3. What is the cost of WhatsApp video calling?

Nothing! Video calling with WhatsApp is free. That said: you do use data and that is not free. When making video calls outside the home, this data is deducted from your internet bundle. You may therefore wonder how much MB video calling via WhatsApp costs.

That’s hard to say exactly. After all, it depends on several factors, such as the quality of the video call and how many people you are calling. When you video call via a 4G connection with three others, you use about 3MB of data per minute, calculated MakeUseOf.

4. Can I make video calls via WhatsApp Web?

No, video calling via WhatsApp Web is not possible. However, in recent years there have been regular reports that WhatsApp is working on this function, so it may someday be possible.

With WhatsApp Desktop it is possible to make video calls. You can read how to do that in the article below.

Read more: (video) calling with WhatsApp Desktop now possible, this is how it works

Do you mainly want to make video calls with your Mac(Book)? Then there are more than enough alternatives besides WhatsApp Desktop, such as FaceTime. Apple’s own video calling app lets you chat with up to 32 people at the same time.

Read more: The 3 best video calling apps for group conversations

5. Can I record WhatsApp video calls?

That is possible. You can use the built-in screen recording of your iPhone for this. You activate this from the Control Panel, after which everything that happens on the screen of your device is registered. You indicate yourself whether the microphone should also be switched on or not. Ask permission from other participants in advance: it is not nice to be recorded without your knowledge.

Also useful: This is how you record your iPhone or iPad screen

6. I want to disable WhatsApp video calling: how do I do that?

Unfortunately that is not possible. It is currently impossible to completely disable the video calling function. WhatsApp does indicate that this may be added in the future. What you can do is block the contact if you are being harassed. Tap Conversations and the information icon next to the contact you want to block. Scroll to the bottom and tap Block Contact.

More about WhatsApp

Via WhatsApp you probably share joys and sorrows with friends, your partner, colleagues and acquaintances. To prevent personal data from falling into the wrong hands, you can take some precautions. Check out our WhatsApp security guide for some simple precautions. That way you reduce the chance of trouble a lot, such as WhatsApp hacks.