How to Video Call on Snapchat (Phone, Group and Computer)

That last point is the one most people don't expect. The person you're ringing can sometimes see you on their screen before they've picked up, so don't start the call mid-yawn.

Here's how to start a call on your phone, in a group, and from a computer, plus the screen sharing and sound fixes Snapchat suggests.

Start a video call on your phone

1. Swipe right from the Camera screen to the Chat screen.
2. Tap the friend or group you want to call.
3. Tap the video camera icon at the top of the chat.
4. Wait for them to answer.

If you haven't chatted with them yet, start a new chat first by tapping the chat icon at the bottom of the Chat screen, searching for their name and tapping Chat. Snapchat says you can make voice and video calls right from any chat.

Minimise the call or go back to full screen

While you're on a call, swipe down to shrink it so you can use the rest of the app. Tap the small video to go back to full screen.

Group video calls

Open the Group Chat and tap the video camera icon in the same way. Snapchat allows group video chats with up to 15 friends at a time. If your group's bigger than that, not everyone can be on video together.

Use Lenses on a call

Snapchat lets you use Face Lenses while you video chat, so you can add effects to your face mid-call. It's the same Lenses you'd use for a Snap.

Video call from your computer

You don't need your phone. Snapchat for Web lets you call and chat from a browser:

1. Go to web.snapchat.com in your browser and log in.
2. Click a friend's name in the Chat feed.
3. Click the video camera icon for a video call, or the phone icon for a voice call.

A few rules from Snapchat's help page:

• Use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari, and keep it up to date.
• Keep the Snapchat app on your phone updated and logged in to the same account.
• You can only be logged in to Snapchat for Web on one computer at a time. Logging in on another computer logs you out of the first.

For the full setup, my guide to using Snapchat on your laptop covers the web version in more detail.

Share your screen on a call

Snapchat lets you share your screen during a call, but on mobile it's currently iPhone only.

1. Open a chat.
2. Start a call with the phone or video icon in the top right.
3. Tap the screen share button in the menu at the bottom.
4. Tap Start Broadcast.
5. Tap Stop Sharing when you're done.

When the other person can't hear or see you

Problem	What Snapchat suggests trying
They can't hear you	Check your microphone volume and permission, switch microphone source, disconnect headphones and turn off Bluetooth
You can't hear them	Check your computer and the browser tab aren't muted, pick a different audio source, allow sound in browser permissions
They can't see you	Allow camera permission, check the camera works elsewhere, switch camera source, disconnect other cameras

On the web version, the up arrow next to the microphone or camera icon during a call lets you switch sources. That fixes a lot of calls where the wrong headset or webcam is being used.

A privacy reminder

Snapchat points out that, just like in the app, someone can still take a screenshot or a picture with another device during a web call. Treat a video call like any other call: if you wouldn't want it recorded, don't say it.

Calling a whole group

If you're organising calls with the same people regularly, it's easier to set up a group once and call from there. Here's how to make a group chat on Snapchat, including renaming it so it's easy to find.

Control who can call you

Snapchat's Who Can Contact Me setting covers calls as well as Snaps and Chats. If strangers are ringing you, open Settings, go to App and Privacy and set Who Can Contact Me to friends only.

For one noisy friend or group, you can silence calls without blocking anyone. Press and hold their name on the Chat screen, tap Chat and Notification Settings, then Notification Settings, and switch on Mute Calls. You'll still get the calls in the app, you just won't get a notification on your home screen.

Calling iPhone contacts through Snapchat

On iPhone you can set Snapchat as your default messaging app in Snapchat's Settings, then finish the change in your iPhone Settings. After that, messaging a contact can open their chat in Snapchat, ready for a call. Snapchat can't switch this on for you from inside the app.

My advice

Tap the video icon from the chat and you're away. Just remember the preview: the other person may see you before they answer, so be ready when you press call. For longer calls, switch to the web version on your computer, as long as you're using Chrome, Edge or Safari.

Frequently asked questions

How do I video call someone on Snapchat?

Open a chat with them and tap the video camera icon at the top of the chat.

How many people can join a Snapchat video call?

Snapchat lets you video chat with one friend or in a group of up to 15 friends at once.

Can people see you before they answer a Snapchat video call?

Yes. Snapchat says your friends may be able to view your video before they answer your call.

Can I video call on Snapchat from my computer?

Yes. Go to web.snapchat.com, click a friend's name in the Chat feed and click the video camera icon. Use Chrome, Edge or Safari.

Can I share my screen on a Snapchat call?

Yes, during a call tap the screen share button and then Start Broadcast. On mobile, screen sharing is currently only available on iPhone.