How to Make Voice and Video Calls on Facebook

This article explains how to make voice and video calls on Facebook, whether it's via the website and app, or the Facebook Portal device. The process for doing so is the same whether you're on your computer or your phone or tablet.

Make Voice Calls on Facebook

To make a free phone call from Facebook.com, Messenger.com, or the Messenger app, open a conversation with the recipient and select the phone icon at the top of the message box.

While you're in a voice call on Facebook, select the video button to request that the recipient enable video on their side. If they do, your audio call is converted to a video call.

Make Video Calls on Facebook

Starting a video call on Facebook is as easy as making a phone call. Open a conversation with the recipient, then select the video camera to start the video call. This works anywhere you can access the calling features: Facebook.com, Messenger.com, and the desktop and mobile Messenger apps.

During a Facebook video call, select the video icon to disable the video camera. This converts the conversation to an audio call.

Facebook Calling Requirements

The Facebook mobile app and mobile website don't support audio or video calls. What you need is access to either the Facebook desktop website or the messaging app called Messenger.

Messenger works on computers at Messenger.com, or you can download Messenger to your computer. Another way to use the Facebook voice calling or video calling feature is to get the Messenger app on your phone or tablet. It's available for iOS and Android.

The same app is used for both video calls and audio calls, so you don't need a separate Facebook app for each. To have a private video chat with someone over Facebook, use the same Messenger app that lets you make voice calls.

You cannot make a video call without a camera, nor are audio calls possible without a microphone. Your device needs to have those pieces of hardware either built-in or plugged in externally to call another user.

Help With Facebook Calls

Using Facebook's video and voice calling features requires that the computer or mobile device is set up correctly to accept these requests. Without these parameters in place, you can't talk or share your video with your Facebook friends.

If you're making a Facebook call from a computer, make sure that the webcam and microphone are properly plugged in and working. If you use a web browser for the Facebook call, pop-up blockers might interfere with the call. You must also enable the browser to access the camera and microphone, or the other person can't see or hear you.

For example, to make Facebook calls from Chrome, allow camera and mic access to permit Facebook to use the hardware during the call. Chrome also needs to allow pop-ups for Facebook or Messenger to ensure that calls can come through.

Another example where you need to set up proper permissions is when you use an iPad to make a video call or voice call on Facebook. Open Settings > Messenger and enable Microphone and Camera so that your friends can see and hear you during a call. Similar steps are necessary for Android and other mobile devices.