WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to exchange messages, photos, videos and make voice and video calls easily. With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become an essential communication tool for many. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make video calls to other users. However, before you can make a WhatsApp video call, it is important to check your WhatsApp video call settings and make sure everything is correctly configured.
Prerequisites for WhatsApp Video Calling
Before jumping into the settings, there are a few prerequisites for making WhatsApp video calls:
- You need to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device
- Your phone needs to have a front camera
- You need a good internet connection – WiFi or cellular data
- The recipient you are calling needs to also have WhatsApp installed and be using a version that supports video calling
As long as you meet these requirements, you should be able to make and receive WhatsApp video calls. Now let’s look at how to access the video call settings.
Accessing WhatsApp Video Call Settings on Android
If you are using an Android phone, here are the steps to access video call settings in WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android phone
- Tap on the 3 dots menu icon in the top right corner of the screen
- Select Settings from the menu
- Tap on Storage and Data
- Under MEDIA AUTO DOWNLOAD, tap on When Using Mobile Data
- Toggle the switch next to Video Calls to green to enable auto download of videos during calls on mobile data or grey to disable
Enabling this will allow WhatsApp to automatically download videos during video calls when you are on mobile data. If you disable this, video calling will only work on WiFi.
Other WhatsApp Video Call Settings on Android
Under the Video Call settings, you can also configure the following:
- Video Call Quality: Set the default video call quality to Auto, High, Medium or Low. Higher quality uses more data.
- Low Data Usage: Enable this to use less data on video calls when your connection is poor.
- Wifi Only: Restrict all WhatsApp calls to WiFi only.
Adjust these as per your preferences for data usage and video quality on calls.
Accessing WhatsApp Video Call Settings on iPhone
On an iPhone, the steps are slightly different:
- Launch WhatsApp and go to the Settings tab
- Tap on Cellular Data
- Toggle the Use Less Data for Calls switch to green to enable low data usage or grey to disable
- Under Video Calling, toggle Use Less Data to green enable or grey to disable data saving for video calls
This will configure your data usage preferences for WhatsApp video calling on iPhone. You can also go to Settings > Cellular and enable or disable mobile data for WhatsApp here.
Other WhatsApp Video Call Settings on iPhone
Additionally, on iPhone you can configure the following video call settings:
- Enable Low Data Mode: Use less mobile data on video calls
- Prefer WiFi Only: Restrict all WhatsApp calls to WiFi
- Enable High Quality: Increase video quality on calls
Configure these options as needed depending on your preferences.
Testing WhatsApp Video Call Settings
Once you have configured the video call settings in WhatsApp as per your preferences, it’s a good idea to test it out and make sure video calling is working properly before trying to make an important call.
To test WhatsApp video calling:
- Open an individual or group chat in WhatsApp
- Tap the video call icon in the top right
- Choose a test contact you want to video call
- Check the video and audio quality in the call
- Make sure you can switch between front and rear cameras
- Verify there are no disruptions or call drops
If the test call goes through fine without any issues, then your WhatsApp video call settings are correctly configured. If not, you may need to adjust the settings or troubleshoot potential issues.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Video Call Issues
Some common issues faced during WhatsApp video calls and how to resolve them:
Problem: Video call drops frequently
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Move closer to your WiFi router or switch to mobile data if on a weak WiFi network.
- Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp if you are on Android as it can disrupt connectivity.
- Restart your phone and try making a call again.
Problem: Blurry or pixelated video
- Check your internet speed. You need at least 1 Mbps upload and download speed for a decent quality WhatsApp video call.
- Change WhatsApp video quality settings to a lower resolution if you have a slow connection.
- Move to an area with better mobile network coverage.
Problem: Can’t switch cameras during call
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version if camera switching isn’t working.
- Clean the camera lenses which may be obstructed.
- Restart your phone and check if the camera works in other apps.
Problem: No sound during video call
- Increase volume levels on your phone using the volume buttons or from within WhatsApp settings.
- Make sure your phone isn’t on silent mode.
- Check for any wired headphones connected and disconnect them.
- Restart your phone or update WhatsApp if sound still doesn’t work.
If you continue facing issues, get in touch with WhatsApp support for further assistance on troubleshooting and resolving video call problems.
WhatsApp Video Call Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips to have the best experience on WhatsApp video calls:
- Make sure you have good lighting conditions so the other person can see you clearly.
- Choose a stable internet connection for uninterrupted video quality.
- Speak clearly and maintain eye contact for more natural conversations.
- Adjust your camera angle so your face and shoulders are visible.
- Use headphones for clearer audio and to avoid echo or background noise.
- Mute your mic when not speaking to block any unwanted sounds.
- Touch and hold to switch between front and back camera.
- You can tap the screen to hide or reveal the call interface during video calls.
- On iPhone, swipe up or down to switch between voice and video call.
Conclusion
WhatsApp makes it easy to stay connected face-to-face with loved ones across distances. By accessing the video call settings and customizing data usage, quality and connectivity preferences, you can have seamless video calling experience. Test the settings before an important call to avoid issues. Follow the troubleshooting tips if you face problems with call drops, video quality or sound. With the right settings and environment, WhatsApp video calling can help bridge the gap when text or voice just isn’t enough.