How to Make a Group Video Call on Mobile Using the Most Popular Apps

The COVID-19 pandemic has made spending hours in video calls the norm. Whether you’re trying to keep in touch with your friend group, family members, or colleagues at work, mobile video chatting apps are particularly useful, since most offer a group video calling feature. This article shows you how you can place a group video call using some of the most popular video chatting apps for mobile.

How to Make a Group Video Call in WhatsApp on Your Mobile

It’s pretty easy in WhatsApp to initiate a video group call with up to 8 people.

Set Up a WhatsApp Group Video Call on Android

On Android, you’ll have to create a group first, then use the video calling option from there. If you’ve already created a group, things are even more straightforward.

1. Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
2. Tap on the green message button in the lower-right corner of the display to create a new chat.

3. Now select the “New group” option.

4. Choose the persons you want to include in the group from your list of WhatsApp contacts.
5. Pick a name for your group, then press the green “Done” button.

6. A new group chat window will open up for you.
7. To start video calling the members in this group, tap on the video calling button in the upper-right corner.

8. Tap on the “Call group” option that shows up at the bottom to initiate the call.

Set Up a WhatsApp Group Video Call on iPhone

In iOS, the process is similar, although not quite exactly the same.

1. Open WhatsApp on your iOS device.
2. Select the Calls option from the menu at the bottom. This will bring up a list of all the calls you’ve made so far.

3. Tap on the “New call” icon in the upper-right corner of the display.
4. Select the “New group call” option.

5. Proceed to add the people you wish to add to your group.
6. Press the video calling icon to start the video chat.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Skype on Your Mobile

If you use Skype, then you can video group chat with up to 100 people.

Set Up a Skype Group Video Call on Android

On Android, follow these steps to get started.

1. Open Skype on your device.
2. Tap on the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the display to create a new chat.

3. Select the “New group chat” option.

4. Name your group.

5. Select the group’s participants from the list below, then press “Done.”

6. Once the group chat has been created, press the video calling icon in the upper-right corner of the display.

Set Up a Skype Group Video Call on iPhone

For those using Skype on their iOS device, here’s what you need to do to start a video group session.

1. Open Skype on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Calls button at the bottom of the display.

3. Select the Video call option from the upper right section of the display.
4. A screen will appear informing you that “Your meeting is ready.”
5. From here you can add Skype contacts to your video call or just copy the link and share it with the other people you want to invite.

6. Once you’re done with that, press “Start Meeting.”
7. A new group chat window will be created.
8. To start a video call, press the “Start a call” button in the upper-right corner.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Zoom on Your Mobile

As the pandemic hit, Zoom quickly became the go-to app for many employees working from home – but the app can be used for personal video calls as well. Catching up with your squad is pretty easy with Zoom for mobile. Note that a free account will only let you add as many as 100 participants in a meeting for up to 40 minutes.

The steps to starting a group video call are similar on iOS and Android.

1. Open the Zoom app on your phone.
2. Tap on the “New Meeting” button under the Search bar.

3. Click on the “Start a Meeting” button.

4. Tap on the Participants button at the bottom of the display to add others to your call.

5. You can send invites through various social platforms.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Messenger on Your Mobile

Messenger is probably one of the most convenient options on this list. Given Facebook’s immense popularity, a vast majority of users have this app installed on their phones.

In Messenger, there are two ways to start a video group chat with others: by creating a group (limited to 8 participants) or a room (up to 50 people). Here’s how to do it on both iOS and Android.

Let’s start with creating a group video call.

1. Open Messenger on your device.
2. In the upper-right corner of the display, tap on the pencil icon.

3. Select “Create a new group.”

4. Add your friends to the group, then press Next.

5. Once the group has been created, access it and tap on the video calling icon in the upper-right corner to start a video with your squad.

To video chat with up to 50 people at once, you’ll need to create a Room.

1. Go back to your chats in Messenger.
2. Tap on the “Create Room” bubble at the top of the display.

3. Select the participants from the list.

4. Tap on “Start room” to set up the space.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Google Duo on Your Mobile

Google’s handy Duo app comes pre-installed on many Android devices, which makes it quite handy, as you won’t have to download another app to make group video calls. Here’s how to place one on Android and iOS.

1. Open Google Duo on your phone.
2. Tap on the “New call” button.

3. Select “Create a group.”

4. Add the people you want to the group, then press Done.

5. Press “Start” to get the conversation started. From here, you can also share the group’s link so that even more friends can join your party.

Google Duo supports group video chats with up to 32 participants. Google also has an additional app geared toward the more professional crowed. It’s called Meet and comes with some additional features, such as a whiteboard, although Duo has its own crop of impressive features, such as screen sharing.

Also read: 17 Google Messages Tips, Tricks, and Features You Should Know

How to Make a Group Video Call in Instagram on Your Mobile

While Instagram isn’t really a video calling app, it does offer that capability – even for groups.

On Android you can start group chatting using video one of several ways.

1. If you don’t have a group set up and ready, open your Direct Messages on the app, then press the video calling button in the upper-right corner.

2. Tap on “Create a Room.”

3. Add the people you want, then press “Join Room.”

4. The front camera should now be activated while you wait for the others to join.

On the other hand, if you already have a group, go ahead and access it, then tap on the video calling icon in the upper-right corner.

On iOS, you don’t have the option to create a video chat room directly from DM and will just have to go ahead and create a normal group, then access it and tap on the video calling button.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Discord on Your Mobile

Discord is another app that is not really known for its video calling capabilities, but it does offer a robust mobile group video chat option. On Android and iOS, here’s how you can initiate a video call with your buddies. You can add up to 8 people to video chat with.

1. Open the Discord app on your device.
2. Go to your Direct Messages by tapping on the Message icon at the top.

3. Create a new group by tapping on the “Add” icon in the upper-right corner.
4. Select the people you want to invite to the group, then tap Next.

5. The group has been created for you. Simply tap on the video calling icon in the upper-right corner.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Signal on Your Mobile

The privacy-focused app offers the option to do a video call with a group of up to 8 people. Whether you’re using Signal on iOS or Android, here’s how you can start a video group chat.

1. In the Signal app, tap on the blue pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the display.

2. Select the “New group” option.

3. Pick the people you want to add to the group.

4. Name the group, then press “Create.”

5. A new group chat window will open.

6. Click the video button in the upper-right corner.

The front camera will be activated. Tap on the “Start call” button to connect with your friends.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Telegram on iPhone

Telegram recently added the option to do group video calls with up to 30 people, but only on iOS devices. If you want to give this a try, follow these instructions.

1. Open the Telegram app.
2. Tap on the pencil icon in the upper-right corner of the display.

3. Select the “New group” option.

4. Select the people you want to add to the group.

5. Enter a group name.

6. Once in the new chat group, tap on the group’s profile pic in the upper-right corner.

7. Select Video chat from the menu that appears.

How to Make a Group Video Call in Viber on Your Mobile

Viber might not be that popular in the U.S., but it’s a great chat app with a really generous group video calling function (up to 40 people). Here’s how you can use it on Android and iOS.

1. Open the Viber app.
2. Tap the message icon in the lower-right corner of the display.

3. Select the “New group” option.

4. Select the people you want to add to the group.

5. Enter a group name.

6. When in the new chat group, press the video calling icon in the upper-right corner.

How to Make a Group Video Call in FaceTime on iPhone

Apple’s FaceTime app popularized video chatting back in the day, and it’s still quite a popular option. In iOS 15, you can now initiate a group video call by creating a FaceTime link, which the recipients can join simply by using a browser. In other words, you can now FaceTime with family and friends on Android devices and Windows computers.

You can add up to 32 contacts to your group video call.

1. Open the FaceTime app and tap on the “Create Link” button.

2. You can share this link using the options shown e.g. iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.

3. If you often have recurring FaceTime group video calls with various different groups of people, you can choose to name this group by tapping on ‘Add Name’. FaceTime links are kept active and can be used again in the future.

4. Your FaceTime group video call is now ready. Simply join the call yourself and approve the other participants as they join.

How to Join a FaceTime Call on a Windows Device

1. If you have a Windows device and you’ve received a link to a FaceTime call (generated as explained above), click the link on your Windows device.
2. The link will open in a browser. In our tests, Firefox failed to load the link – every other browser worked.
3. Enter your name, then click “Continue.”

4. If prompted, allow FaceTime to use the microphone and camera.

5. Select “Join.” and wait for the call’s host to let you in.
6. When it’s time to wrap up the call, press the “Leave” button.

How to Make a Group Video Call Using the Alexa App on Your Mobile

You can also initiate a group video call with up to 7 people using the Alexa app on your phone (Android and iOS). If you have an Amazon Echo smart speaker with an integrated camera, you’ll be able to see the others on the device’s display.

1. Open the Alexa app on your device.
2. Tap on the “Communicate” button in the lower-left corner.

3. Tap on the people icon in the top-right corner.

4. Click on the three-dot menu in the top- right.

5. Select “Add group.”

6. Press the Enable button to activate the group calling feature.

7. Select the people you wish to add to your group.

8. Name your group and tap “Create group.”

The group has been created, and the participants have been notified. Now whenever you want to video call with the group, simply say “Alexa, video call [group name].” You can use your Echo smart speaker to place the call or the Alexa app.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use any of these services to create or join video group calls on desktop?

All the apps in the list above have a desktop equivalent. However, not all support the group video chat feature. On a desktop, you can create a group video chat only in Messenger, Telegram, Discord, Zoom, Skype, Viber and FaceTime.

2. How much bandwidth does a video call use?

If you’re on an unlimited plan, you probably won’t have to worry all that much about this issue. However, if you’re dealing with data caps, it may be useful to learn a few things about bandwidth and how to keep consumption in check. You can go ahead and read our earlier article for clarification.

3. How can I improve my video call quality?

First, ensure you’re Internet connection is working properly before plunging into a video call. Other than that, there are quite a few things you can do to improve overall quality, such as adjusting the lighting and the camera angle. You can learn more from our guide which teaches you the basics of improving calls quality.

Now that you know all about placing a group video call, perhaps it would be helpful to also learn how to record online meetings even when you’re not the host. Iif you’re still on the fence about which video chat app to choose, check out our comparison of WhatsApp vs. Signal vs. Telegram and make an informed choice.