How to Make Free Video Calls with Family on WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Google Meet
Video calls are the feature seniors tell us has changed their relationship with smartphones the most. A scheduled five-minute call with a grandchild becomes, in practice, the kind of half-hour conversation that used to require driving to someone's house. Three apps cover almost every household: WhatsApp (works on any phone, used by most international families), Apple FaceTime (built into every iPhone), and Google Meet (built into every Android). This guide explains all three, in plain language, and tells you which to use first.
Which app should I use?
The rule of thumb is simple: use the app the people you want to call already use. You'll have a far easier time joining a family conversation already happening than convincing six relatives to download a new app on your behalf. If your family is all on iPhones in the United States, FaceTime is the answer. If your family is spread across the world or uses a mix of iPhone and Android, WhatsApp is the answer. If your family is all on Android in the United States, Google Meet (or WhatsApp) works.
None of these apps charges money. None of them uses any of your monthly cellular data when you're connected to Wi-Fi.
WhatsApp — the most universal choice
WhatsApp works on iPhone and Android, on any country's phone number, with the same buttons in the same places. It is the app most international families settle on.
Setup: Open the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android). Search for "WhatsApp Messenger." Tap Get or Install. After install, open WhatsApp. It will ask for your phone number — enter the same number your phone uses. WhatsApp texts you a six-digit code. Type the code on the WhatsApp screen. Add your name. Allow access to Contacts when asked — this lets WhatsApp show you which of the people already in your phone are also on WhatsApp.
Making a video call: Tap Chats at the bottom. Tap the contact you want. At the top of the conversation screen you'll see a phone icon and a video-camera icon. Tap the video-camera icon. The phone calls them. When they answer, you see their face; they see yours.
FaceTime — the easiest on iPhone
FaceTime is built into every iPhone and works only between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). There is no separate setup — it uses your Apple ID, which is already on your phone.
Making a call: Open the FaceTime app (green camera icon). Tap "New FaceTime" at the top. Type the name or phone number of the person you want. Tap the green Video button. Their phone rings; they answer; you see each other.
Even easier: open the regular Phone app, tap a recent contact, and tap the FaceTime video icon next to their name. If they have an iPhone, the call goes through. If they don't, the FaceTime icon will be greyed out.
Google Meet — the easiest on Android
Google Meet is built into every Android phone and works between any two people who have a Google account (which is everyone with an Android phone, plus most people with a Gmail address even if they use an iPhone).
Making a call: Open the Meet app (multicolour video-camera icon). Tap "New" at the bottom. Choose "Start an instant meeting." Tap "Share invite" and pick the person you want — Meet sends them a link by text. When they tap the link, they appear on your screen.
An alternative: from the Phone or Contacts app on a Pixel, tap the video icon next to a contact. If they have Meet set up, the call goes through directly.
Getting the camera right
Three things make video calls feel natural rather than awkward:
- Light in front of you, not behind. Sit facing a window or a lamp; if a bright window is behind you, you'll be a silhouette.
- Hold the phone slightly above eye level. The under-chin angle is unflattering to everyone. Prop the phone on a stack of books or use a small stand.
- Use the front camera (the one above the screen). The phone defaults to this for video calls. If you accidentally tap the camera-flip button, your face disappears; tap the flip button again.
The first-call checklist
If you've never made a video call before, schedule the first one. Pick a time when both you and the other person are calm and not rushed. Then:
- Make sure both phones are connected to Wi-Fi (look for the fan-shaped Wi-Fi icon at the top of the screen).
- Plug your phone into power, or have it charged above 50%. Video calls drain battery faster than regular calls.
- Take it slow on the first call. The point of the first call is to know how to answer the second one — not to have a deep conversation.
Group video calls with the whole family
All three apps support group calls. WhatsApp: open a group chat → tap the video icon → all members are called. FaceTime: tap "New FaceTime" → add multiple people before starting. Google Meet: start a meeting → share the link with everyone. Group calls work best with no more than four or five people; beyond that, the small video tiles on a phone become hard to follow.
Frequently asked questions
Are video calls really free?
Free in the app — they don't charge a per-call fee. But they use the internet, so if you're on cellular data (not Wi-Fi), they count against your monthly data allowance. A one-hour video call uses around 500–600 MB on Wi-Fi or cellular.
Can someone see what I have on my phone screen during a video call?
No — they only see whatever the front camera is pointed at. None of these apps shows your other apps to the other person unless you explicitly tap "Share screen."
Can I record a video call?
WhatsApp and FaceTime don't let you record. Google Meet lets the meeting organiser record paid Workspace meetings, but not free personal meetings. If you want a memento, take a screenshot during the call (hold the side button and volume-up button briefly).
My grandchildren are saying they "can't hear" me.
Check the small microphone icon on your screen during the call. If it has a line through it, you're muted — tap it to unmute. Also check that you didn't accidentally cover the microphone hole at the bottom of the phone with a finger.
Can I make a video call from a tablet?
Yes. All three apps work identically on iPads and Android tablets. Many families find tablets better for video calls because the larger screen makes faces easier to see.
Written by David Chen. Reviewed by Margaret Holloway. Last verified 12 June 2026.