Video Call Your Family: Zoom, FaceTime and WhatsApp Basics
Seeing faces makes distance feel smaller. All of these tools are free and work similarly.
Step by step
- Choose the app your family uses. FaceTime for iPhones, WhatsApp or Zoom for everyone.
- Install it. From the app store.
- Allow camera and microphone. When asked.
- Practice a call. With a patient relative.
- Check your setup. Light in front of you, phone steady.
What to expect
Expect a call to start with one tap on a name or a link.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not click meeting links from strangers. Avoid sitting with a window behind you.
A good next step
Schedule a weekly call with family.
A prompt you can copy
Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini
Give me a one page cheat sheet for starting and ending a video call on [app], using simple words.
Good to know. Only join links from people you know. Scammers send fake meeting links.
Want to try this with a friendly teacher?
Join a free live class on Zoom. Small group, no experience needed, no sign-up fee.
Reserve a free seatCommon questions
Do I need an account?
Some apps need one. Others let you join by link.
What if the sound does not work?
Check the mute icon and your volume.