Help Video calls

[JBentleyR]

Hi

I apologise for posting this question if it's already been answered, but I did a search and found nothing in the Nexus 5 forum about video calls.

My wife has an iPhone4S and the facility for making video phone calls is, apparently, built in.

Searching the internet, I found this (rather unhelpful!) information:

"Step 1Make sure your Android phone has a front-facing camera. The camera displays as a small, semi-transparent piece of glass near the earpiece of the phone.

Step 2Connect the phone to Wi-Fi if possible. Although it isn't necessary to connect to Wi-Fi prior to making a video call, doing so ensures a higher quality, more stable Internet signal and connection.

Step 3Select your recipient's name from your contact list. Click or tap the "Call With Video" button to begin a video call with the contact."


the problem being that there is no "call with video" button!


Can I assume that it will be necessary for me to download some third party app to enable video phone calls? If so, can anyone recommend a good one, preferably free?


Also, does it cost more to make a video call?

 

[nx1977]

I think on stock android you need to put the phone number in the Internet call field of a contact.

As for charges, they should be on the three website. I know EE charge more.

 

[renegad3]

Hi...

Can I assume that it will be necessary for me to download some third party app to enable video phone calls? If so, can anyone recommend a good one, preferably free?


Also, does it cost more to make a video call?

You can use Hangouts to make video calls (as well as many other third party apps on google play, skype, etc.)

Hangouts is free, and comes with your phone. It is also free on iOS. It does however (like any third party app) require a Google account to use, and both will need an account.

There is no native cross-platform video calling between iOS (iPhone) and Android (Nexus 5 in your case).

Both phones will need to have Hangouts (or whatever third party app you have chosen) installed on both phones. Both parties will need to be signed into their account to find each other.

If both devices happen to be connected over WiFi, it should all be free. If one, or both are on cellular data, it will use data to make the call, charging one, or both accounts. Obviously check with your carrier for more specific information regarding charges.

 

[happydundee]

If you want to do it for free over data or WiFi, you will need an app that works on IOS and Android, and install it on both phones. Then you will both need to set up an account with that app.

I use Skype, as I can call either other phones or PC's or in fact any device that has the Skype app, such as smart TV's.

 

[JBentleyR]

I think on stock android you need to put the phone number in the Internet call field of a contact.

As for charges, they should be on the three website. I know EE charge more.

Thanks for your help. I entered my wife's number in the internet call field, but it won't work.
Thanks anyway.

 

[JBentleyR]

You can use Hangouts to make video calls (as well as many other third party apps on google play, skype, etc.)

Hangouts is free, and comes with your phone. It is also free on iOS. It does however (like any third party app) require a Google account to use, and both will need an account.

There is no native cross-platform video calling between iOS (iPhone) and Android (Nexus 5 in your case).

Both phones will need to have Hangouts (or whatever third party app you have chosen) installed on both phones. Both parties will need to be signed into their account to find each other.

If both devices happen to be connected over WiFi, it should all be free. If one, or both are on cellular data, it will use data to make the call, charging one, or both accounts. Obviously check with your carrier for more specific information regarding charges.

Thanks for the very detailed reply. This is very helpful. We tried Skype, but it seems to be very clunky and calls are hit and miss. I'm not sure either whether we are being charged for these calls: it keeps saying we have no credit. Also, video calls with my supplier (Three UK) are charged at 52p per minute, so I don't think it's worth the hassle and we'll stick to voice calls only.

I know what she looks like anyway!

 

[JBentleyR]

If you want to do it for free over data or WiFi, you will need an app that works on IOS and Android, and install it on both phones. Then you will both need to set up an account with that app.

I use Skype, as I can call either other phones or PC's or in fact any device that has the Skype app, such as smart TV's.

Thanks. As I said in my last, we've tried Skype and we're not happy with it. I've also had a look at something called Tango, which I may look into later. For now, I've had enough hassle for something that we can manage without.

Thanks anyway.

 

[MartinS]

Hangouts works well for me.
Try it on the iPhone.

 

[JBentleyR]

Hangouts works well for me.
Try it on the iPhone.

Thanks. I could get my wife to download it, if available for iPhones.
Are video calls free?

 

[JBentleyR]

Thanks. I got my first wife to install it on her iPhone and it worked, at least when I called her. Unfortunately, she cannot call me. It's probably something she has done (!), so we'll keep trying.

 

[jj14x]

Thanks for the very detailed reply. This is very helpful. We tried Skype, but it seems to be very clunky and calls are hit and miss. I'm not sure either whether we are being charged for these calls: it keeps saying we have no credit. Also, video calls with my supplier (Three UK) are charged at 52p per minute, so I don't think it's worth the hassle and we'll stick to voice calls only.

I know what she looks like anyway!

Skype to Skype calls are free. The credit is only used if you are trying to call a landline/mobile# using skype. If you are calling from skype on your smartphone/computer/dedicated-skype-device to another skype user (smartphone/computer/dedicated-skype-device), it is free. (both voice and video are free)

I use skype fairly regularly and it is pretty reliable. Check to see if both (caller and call-recipient) have a good/strong internet connection, and of course, that the recipient is in fact online. I use skype on 4G LTE and on WiFi. But if I am in a 3g area, call quality is pretty bad.

Hangouts works pretty good too BTW

 

[JBentleyR]

Hi again. I hope you don't mind me pursuing this, but at least progress is being made.

My first wife can now call me and, even when I do not have Hangouts open, I receive a sound notification. Then we can see each other and talk without problems (apart from a slight delay, of course).

However, when I call my wife she receives no notification other than the 'video camera icon' turning green and that, of course, can only be seen if her Hangouts app is open.

We've been trying all sorts of settings (on her phone) and, of course, the 'help' pages are as much use as a chocolate teapot! We can only assume this is a glitch because her phone uses iOS rather than (the superior!) Android OS.

Does anyone here have any further ideas, please. I suppose that at least she can call me!

 

[jj14x]

You may want to check two things.
1. On iOS hangouts settings, check to see if notifications need to be enabled
2. On iOS notification center, check to see if hangout notifications are enabled.

I don't have an iOS device handy so can't tell you exactly where to look, but these two locations seem logical.

 

[JBentleyR]

Thanks JJ. Can't find 'notifications' in either Hangouts or iOS, but there is a 'sounds' button in her iOS settings which was turned off. Turned it on and problem solved.

Thanks again for your advice. I knew someone would sort it out!

 

[jj14x]

Glad it is working now, and thanks for the update

 

[BigCiX]

Where's that feature on hangouts