To call someone on Instagram, open your direct message chat with them and tap the phone icon for a voice call or the camera icon for a video call, both at the top right of the chat. They'll get a ringing notification, and they can answer or decline.
Instagram calls are free over Wi-Fi or mobile data, and they sit right inside the app you already use. That makes them handy for a quick chat with a friend, a supplier or a customer who'd rather not hand over a phone number. Here's how to do it.
What you need before you ring
- The latest version of Instagram on your iPhone or Android phone.
- A decent connection, either Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Microphone access switched on, and camera access for video.
- An open chat with the person. If you can't message them, you usually can't call them.
Make a voice call
- Open Instagram and tap the paper plane icon to go to your messages.
- Tap the chat with the person you want to call. If you've never messaged them, start a new message first.
- Tap the phone icon at the top right of the chat.
- Wait for them to answer. If the call connects, you'll see the timer start.
Allow microphone access if Instagram asks. Without it, the other person can't hear you.
Make a video call
The steps are the same, except you tap the camera icon instead of the phone.
- Open the chat.
- Tap the camera icon at the top right.
- Allow camera and microphone access if you're asked.
- Use the buttons on screen to mute yourself, turn your camera off or flip between the front and back camera.
You can usually switch from video to voice during a call by turning your camera off, which is useful when your connection is weak.
What the other person sees and hears
When you call, their phone rings with a notification that shows your name. They can answer, decline or ignore it. If they don't pick up, you can leave a message in the chat instead, which is often the better move for something that isn't urgent.
During a video call, they see whatever your camera points at, so check what's behind you before you tap. On a voice call, they only hear you. If you'd like to move from one to the other, you can usually do it without ending the call.
Group calls
Calling several people works in a group chat. Open the group, tap the phone or camera icon at the top, and everyone in the group gets a ring. People can join and leave as they like. If you want a call with a few specific people, create a new group chat with just them first.
Keep groups small for business calls. A crowded video chat on a weak connection freezes quickly.
Calling from a computer
You can read and send messages from instagram.com on a computer. Open your inbox and look at the top of a chat to see if the phone and camera icons show up on your version. If they do, the steps are the same as on the phone. If they don't, open the app on your phone and make the call there, because the features available on the web change from time to time.
New to direct messages? Here's What DM means on Instagram, in plain English.
Who can call you
Calls generally follow your messaging rules. If someone can't message you, they normally can't call you either, and a blocked account can't reach you at all. These are the controls I'd check.
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- Open Settings and activity, then Messages and story replies, and review who can message you.
- Search the settings for the word calls to see if your version has a dedicated option.
- Use Notifications to mute calls and messages when you need to focus.
- Block or restrict anyone who rings you when you don't want them to.
If a menu name looks different on your phone, search the app's settings for the word calls.
When the call won't connect
Most call problems are small and fixable. Work down this list.
- Update Instagram from the App Store or Google Play. Old versions often have call bugs.
- Close the app fully and open it again, then try once more.
- Check microphone and camera permissions in your phone's Settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Instagram. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Instagram, then Permissions.
- Turn off data saver features. Instagram has a less-data option inside its settings, and your phone may have a low data mode that makes calls choppy.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Weak Wi-Fi can be worse than a decent mobile signal.
- Check whether the other person has silent mode or a Focus mode switched on. Their phone may not be ringing at all.
- Restart your phone, and if that fails, log out and back in.
These are the same fixes that help with WhatsApp video calls that won't work on Wi-Fi, because the cause is nearly always the connection or the permissions.
Getting better call quality
A few small habits make a big difference to how a call sounds and looks.
- Use headphones or earbuds with a microphone. Echo disappears and your voice is clearer.
- Sit near your router, or move to a spot with a stronger signal.
- Close other apps that are streaming or downloading in the background.
- Face a window rather than sitting with your back to it, so you don't look like a shadow.
Call etiquette for business accounts
Calling out of the blue is a risky move, even on a friendly app. For business use, I'd follow a few simple habits.
- Message first and ask when would suit them. A cold ring can feel pushy.
- Say who you are and why you're calling in your first sentence.
- Pick a quiet spot with decent light, and check your camera angle.
- Don't record the call unless they've agreed to it.
- Follow up in writing with a short summary so nothing gets lost.
Calling a customer or a team member often? You can change the colour of a chat so that the right chat is easy to spot.
Frequently asked questions
Can you call someone on Instagram without them following you?
Usually you can call people you can message. If your message is still a request, they may need to accept it first, and blocked or restricted accounts can't get through.
Is calling on Instagram free?
Instagram doesn't charge for calls, but they use data. Use Wi-Fi if your mobile plan is limited, and check your provider's rules.
Why can't I see the call button on Instagram?
Update the app first. The icons may be hidden if you're in a message request, if the other person's settings don't allow calls, or if your version of the app doesn't have the feature yet.
Can I call someone on Instagram from my laptop?
You can message from a browser, but calling support on the web changes over time. If the phone and camera icons don't appear in your chat, use the app on your phone.
