How to Video Call Your Grandchildren: A Simple Guide

A video call lets you see and hear your grandchildren live on your phone or tablet, and on most devices it is already installed and free to use. FaceTime comes built into every iPhone and iPad, while WhatsApp and Google Meet work on both Apple and Android phones. The hardest part is the first call; after that it becomes second nature.

There is nothing to buy and no equipment to set up. You need a phone or tablet with a camera, a Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection, and the same app on the other person's device. A video call uses internet data rather than phone minutes, so it does not cost anything beyond your normal internet.

Choosing the right app

The simplest rule is to use whatever app your family already uses. If your grandchildren have iPhones, FaceTime is the easiest because it is built in and needs no setup. If anyone in the family has an Android phone, WhatsApp is the better choice because it works on every kind of phone.

The table below compares the three most common options so you can match the app to your family. You do not need all of them; pick one and learn it well. Ask a family member which they prefer, and put that one on your device.

For a household with a mix of Apple and Android phones, WhatsApp is the best all-round choice because it leaves nobody out. The one exception is an all-Apple family, where FaceTime's built-in simplicity makes it the easier pick. Whichever you choose, the steps that follow work the same way in spirit.

Step by step: making a FaceTime call

If you have an iPhone or iPad, FaceTime is ready to go. The person you are calling also needs an Apple device with FaceTime. Here is how to start a call from scratch.

1. Find the FaceTime app. Look for a green icon with a white video camera inside it. It is usually on your home screen.
2. Tap New FaceTime. This button sits near the top of the screen. A box appears for you to choose who to call.
3. Type a name or number. Start typing your grandchild's name, and if they are saved in your contacts, tap their name when it appears below.
4. Tap the green FaceTime button. The call starts ringing on the other end. You will see yourself in a small window while you wait.
5. Wait for them to answer. When they pick up, their face fills the screen and you can start chatting. Hold the phone steady at eye level so they see your face clearly.
6. End the call. Tap the red button with a phone symbol when you are finished. That hangs up cleanly.

Step by step: making a WhatsApp video call

WhatsApp works on every phone, which is why so many families settle on it. You will have already added the app and saved your family's numbers; if not, a relative can help with that one-time setup. Once that is done, calling is quick.

1. Open WhatsApp. The icon is a green speech bubble with a white phone inside.
2. Find the person. Tap the Chats tab at the bottom, then tap your grandchild's name in the list.
3. Tap the video camera icon. It sits at the top right of the chat screen. This starts a video call.
4. Wait for them to answer, then talk as normal. To switch to the camera facing away from you, so they can see what you see, tap the little camera-flip icon on screen.
5. End the call with the red button when you are done.

Little tricks that make calls easier

Good lighting makes the biggest difference to how well your family can see you. Sit facing a window or a lamp rather than with the light behind you, which turns your face into a dark shape. A few seconds spent turning your chair around pays off for the whole call.

Prop your device up instead of holding it, so your arm does not tire and the picture stays steady. A stand costs around $10 to $20, or you can lean the phone against a few books on the table. Position it at eye level, because a phone held low in your lap shows mostly the ceiling and your chin.

If the picture freezes or the sound breaks up, the cause is almost always a weak internet signal. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, the box that gives you wireless internet, or end the call and start it again. A fresh call often clears up a glitchy connection straight away.

Frequently asked questions

Does a video call cost money?

No, not beyond your normal internet. On Wi-Fi the call is completely free however long you talk. On mobile data it uses some of your allowance, so Wi-Fi is best for long chats.

What if I do not know how to add the app?

Ask a family member to install WhatsApp and save everyone's numbers for you. It takes them five minutes and only needs doing once. After that, making a call is just a few taps and you can do it yourself.

The other person cannot see me. What is wrong?

Usually the camera is covered or pointed the wrong way. Check your finger is not over the lens, and look for a small camera-flip icon on screen to switch between the front and back cameras. Tapping it puts your face back in view.

Can I video call someone with a different type of phone?

Yes, as long as you both use the same app. FaceTime only works between Apple devices, but WhatsApp and Google Meet connect Apple and Android phones to each other. If your family is mixed, choose WhatsApp.

What if I accidentally hang up?

Nothing bad happens. Just call the person back the same way you started, and they will answer again. Dropped calls are completely normal and happen to everyone, so there is no need to feel flustered.