How to Videochat Between an iPhone and an Android Smartphone
Once a real challenge, this task is now much easier, thanks to apps like Signal, Skype, and, yes, FaceTime, too
Videochat apps from FaceTime to Skype make it easy to keep in touch with friends and family, but it can be tricky to choose the best option when some folks use Apple devices and others use Android.
For those in the Apple camp, FaceTime is simple to use and it’s built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer.
Videochat Apps
FaceTime: Apple’s well-known videochat app launched in 2010, but until just a few weeks ago, it worked only on the company’s own devices. Now hosts with the latest version of iOS or macOS can send a link to Android users inviting them to join a FaceTime video call. Android users can’t initiate a FaceTime call, however.
Google Duo: This app comes standard on most Android phones, but it’s also available in Apple’s app store. It can be downloaded onto a phone, a tablet, a computer (including via web browser), or even a smart speaker with a display, like the Google Nest Hub Max. Less business-focused than Skype, Google Duo lets you chat with up to eight people. If the person you’re calling doesn’t pick up, you can leave a quick video message.
Instagram/Messenger/WhatsApp: Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, owns all three of these popular apps, and all three support cross-platform video calls. As noted above, Instagram has yet to offer end-to-end encryption for those calls, but the other two apps do provide it. Meta is also in the process of “upgrading” Messenger so that you can make and receive video calls between Messenger and Instagram, though you have to opt in to that option first.
Signal: The messaging app Signal, which runs on most major platforms (including Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows) is frequently recommended by privacy and security experts, thanks to its strong encryption. In addition to text and audio calls, it also offers video calls, and in late 2020, it even added support for group video calls.
Skype: Skype can be downloaded to smartphones, tablets, and computers. It’s Alexa-compatible and can be accessed via web browser and even on an Xbox gaming console. If you use the app for work, it has features that allow you to host up to 50 people, share what’s on your screen, and record the proceedings. It also offers live captioning, a nice extra for multitaskers and the hearing-impaired.
