How to Make Snapchat Calls: A Comprehensive Guide to Connecting with Friends

Snapchat has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a comprehensive communication platform. One of its core features is the ability to make voice and video calls to your friends, allowing you to connect in real-time. This guide will provide you with detailed steps and instructions on how to call your friends on Snapchat, covering everything from initiating a call to troubleshooting common issues.

Why Use Snapchat Calls?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore why you might want to use Snapchat calls:

* **Instant Connection:** Real-time voice and video calls allow for immediate conversations, perfect for quick updates or spontaneous chats.
* **Fun and Engaging:** Snapchat’s playful filters and lenses can be used during video calls, adding an element of fun and creativity.
* **Integrated Experience:** Calling is seamlessly integrated within the Snapchat app, making it easy to switch between chatting, snapping, and calling.
* **Cost-Effective:** Using Wi-Fi, Snapchat calls can save on mobile data and avoid international calling charges.
* **Privacy Features:** Like all Snapchat features, calls are ephemeral. While screenshots are possible, Snapchat notifies users when they are taken, adding a layer of privacy.

Prerequisites

Before you can start making Snapchat calls, make sure you have the following:

* **Snapchat Account:** You need an active Snapchat account. If you don’t have one, download the app and create an account.
* **Latest Snapchat Version:** Ensure you have the latest version of the Snapchat app installed on your device. Updates often include bug fixes and new features.
* **Internet Connection:** A stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is essential for making clear voice and video calls.
* **Friend Added:** You can only call people who are already your friends on Snapchat.
* **Microphone and Camera Access:** Grant Snapchat permission to access your device’s microphone and camera. You’ll be prompted when you first use the calling feature.

How to Initiate a Snapchat Call

There are several ways to initiate a Snapchat call:

Method 1: Through the Chat Screen

This is the most common and straightforward method.

1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. **Navigate to the Chat Screen:** Tap the chat icon (speech bubble) at the bottom left of the screen. This will take you to your list of conversations.
3. **Select a Friend:** Choose the friend you want to call by tapping on their name in the chat list. This will open your conversation with them.
4. **Initiate a Voice or Video Call:**
* **Voice Call:** Look for the phone icon (resembling a traditional phone receiver) at the top right corner of the chat screen. Tap it to start a voice call.
* **Video Call:** Look for the video camera icon next to the phone icon. Tap it to start a video call.
5. **Wait for the Friend to Answer:** Once you initiate the call, Snapchat will notify your friend. Wait for them to answer the call.

Method 2: From the Friend’s Profile

This method is useful if you’re viewing a friend’s profile and want to initiate a call.

1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
2. **Access the Profile Screen:** There are several ways to access a friend’s profile:
* **From the Chat Screen:** Tap on your friend’s Bitmoji or name in the chat list, then tap on their Bitmoji on the top left corner.
* **From the Search Bar:** Tap the search icon at the top of the main screen, type your friend’s name, and select them from the search results.
3. **Initiate a Voice or Video Call:**
* **Voice Call:** On the friend’s profile screen, look for the phone icon and tap it to start a voice call.
* **Video Call:** Look for the video camera icon and tap it to start a video call.
4. **Wait for the Friend to Answer:** As with the previous method, wait for your friend to answer the call.

Method 3: Using the Quick Add Feature

The Quick Add feature suggests friends you might know. If someone is in your Quick Add, you can call them if you’re already friends.

1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
2. **Access the Quick Add Screen:** Swipe down from the camera screen to access your profile. Then, tap on “Add Friends”. You might see suggestions under “Quick Add.”
3. **Find your friend:** If you see your friend in the Quick Add section and they are already your friend on Snapchat, their name will appear with a “+” icon next to it. Tap on their name to go to their profile.
4. **Initiate a Voice or Video Call:** Follow the steps in Method 2 to start a voice or video call.

During a Snapchat Call

Once your friend answers the call, you’ll have several options during the call:

* **Mute/Unmute Microphone:** Tap the microphone icon to mute or unmute your microphone. This is useful if you need to temporarily silence your side of the conversation.
* **Turn On/Off Video:** Tap the camera icon to turn your video on or off. This allows you to switch between video and voice call modes.
* **Switch Camera:** Tap the rotate icon (usually two arrows forming a circle) to switch between your front and rear cameras. This is helpful for showing your friend your surroundings.
* **Use Lenses:** Tap the face icon to access Snapchat’s lenses. You can apply various filters and effects to your video during the call, adding a fun element to the conversation. Your friend will see the lens applied to your video feed.
* **End Call:** Tap the red phone icon (usually located at the bottom of the screen) to end the call.

Missed Calls

If you miss a Snapchat call, you’ll receive a notification. Here’s how to handle missed calls:

* **Check Notifications:** Look for a notification from Snapchat indicating a missed call. Tap the notification to go directly to the chat screen with the caller.
* **Chat Screen Indication:** Even if you dismiss the notification, the chat screen with the caller will indicate a missed call. You’ll see a phone or video camera icon next to their name with a missed call symbol (usually a small clock or similar indicator).
* **Call Back:** To call back, simply tap on the phone or video camera icon next to the friend’s name in the chat screen. You can also open the chat and tap the call icons at the top.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues when making or receiving Snapchat calls. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

* **No Sound:**
* **Check Microphone Permissions:** Ensure Snapchat has permission to access your microphone in your device’s settings. Go to your device’s settings, find Snapchat, and check that microphone access is enabled.
* **Check Volume:** Make sure your device’s volume is turned up. Try increasing the volume during the call to see if you can hear anything.
* **Check Mute:** Ensure you haven’t accidentally muted your microphone within the Snapchat call interface.
* **Restart App:** Close the Snapchat app completely and then relaunch it. This can often resolve temporary glitches.
* **Restart Device:** If restarting the app doesn’t work, try restarting your entire device. This can clear any underlying system issues.
* **No Video:**
* **Check Camera Permissions:** Ensure Snapchat has permission to access your camera in your device’s settings. Similar to microphone permissions, go to your device’s settings, find Snapchat, and check that camera access is enabled.
* **Check Camera Blockage:** Make sure your camera isn’t physically blocked by a case, sticker, or your finger.
* **Restart App/Device:** As with sound issues, try restarting the Snapchat app and your device.
* **Check for Conflicts:** Other apps might be using your camera. Close any other apps that might be accessing the camera (e.g., other video calling apps) and try again.
* **Call Drops/Poor Connection:**
* **Check Internet Connection:** Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if the connection improves.
* **Move Closer to Router:** If you’re using Wi-Fi, move closer to your router to improve the signal strength.
* **Close Background Apps:** Close any other apps that might be using your internet connection in the background. This can free up bandwidth and improve call quality.
* **Update Snapchat:** Make sure you have the latest version of the Snapchat app. Older versions might have connectivity issues.
* **Reset Network Settings:** As a last resort, you can try resetting your device’s network settings. This will reset all your Wi-Fi passwords and other network configurations, so be sure to have that information handy before proceeding.
* **Can’t Initiate Calls:**
* **Check Friend Status:** Make sure the person you’re trying to call is still your friend on Snapchat. If they’ve unfriended you, you won’t be able to call them.
* **Check Blocking:** Make sure you haven’t accidentally blocked the person you’re trying to call. If you have, unblock them in your Snapchat settings.
* **App Glitches:** Try clearing the cache in the Snapchat app. You can do this through your phone’s settings under Apps and Storage. Then, restart the app.
* **Echoing Issues:**
* **Use Headphones:** Using headphones can help reduce echoing during calls, as it prevents the audio from your speaker from being picked up by your microphone.
* **Adjust Volume:** Lowering your speaker volume can also help minimize echoing.

Tips for Better Snapchat Calls

Here are some tips to enhance your Snapchat calling experience:

* **Find a Quiet Environment:** Choose a quiet place to make calls, minimizing background noise and distractions.
* **Ensure Good Lighting:** Good lighting is especially important for video calls. Make sure your face is well-lit so your friend can see you clearly.
* **Use Headphones:** As mentioned earlier, headphones can improve audio quality and reduce echoing.
* **Be Mindful of Data Usage:** Video calls can consume a significant amount of data, especially when using mobile data. Be mindful of your data usage and connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible.
* **Respect Privacy:** Always be respectful of your friend’s privacy during calls. Avoid taking screenshots or recording the call without their consent.
* **Experiment with Lenses:** Have fun experimenting with Snapchat’s lenses during video calls. This can add a playful and entertaining element to your conversations.
* **Check your Internet Connection:** Before initiating the call, test your internet speed. There are many online tools available for this purpose.

Snapchat Call Limitations

While Snapchat calls are a convenient way to connect with friends, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

* **Group Calls:** Snapchat supports group video calls, allowing you to talk to multiple friends at once. This is a great way to connect with a larger group of people.
* **Data Usage:** As mentioned earlier, video calls can consume a significant amount of data. Keep an eye on your data usage, especially when using mobile data.
* **Battery Drain:** Snapchat calls, especially video calls, can drain your device’s battery quickly. Make sure your device is sufficiently charged before starting a call.
* **Ephemeral Nature:** Snapchat calls, like other Snapchat features, are ephemeral. There is no call history saved within the app (unless you take screenshots, which will notify the other party).
* **No Call Recording (Natively):** Snapchat does not offer native call recording features for privacy reasons. Recording a call would require the use of third-party screen recording tools (and you should always get consent before doing so!).

Snapchat Group Video and Voice Calls

Snapchat allows you to have group video and voice calls with up to 15 friends, adding a fun and engaging way to interact with multiple people at once.

How to Start a Group Call:

1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app.
2. **Navigate to the Chat Screen:** Tap the chat icon at the bottom left.
3. **Start a New Group Chat or Open an Existing One:**
* **New Group:** Tap the new chat icon (the blue icon with a plus sign) in the upper right corner, select the friends you want to include, and tap “Chat with Group”.
* **Existing Group:** Select the group chat you want to use from your chat list.
4. **Initiate a Group Voice or Video Call:** Within the group chat, look for the phone or video camera icon at the top. Tap the desired icon to start the call. All members of the group will receive a notification to join the call.

During a Group Call:

* **Join the Call:** Group members can tap the notification to join the call. Once they join, their video or audio feed will be visible to everyone else in the group.
* **Manage Participants:** During the call, you can see who is currently participating and who has yet to join.
* **Use Lenses and Filters:** Just like in one-on-one calls, you can use lenses and filters to add fun effects to your video feed.
* **Leave the Call:** Participants can leave the call at any time by tapping the red phone icon.

Snapchat and Data Privacy

When using Snapchat calls, it’s important to be aware of data privacy. Snapchat is designed with an emphasis on ephemeral content, meaning messages and snaps are meant to disappear.

* **Encryption:** Snapchat uses encryption to secure your communications. This means that your calls and messages are protected from being intercepted by unauthorized parties.
* **Data Retention:** Snapchat retains certain information about your account and usage, but the content of your snaps and calls is generally not stored permanently. However, screenshots or screen recordings can bypass this ephemeral nature.
* **Third-Party Apps:** Be cautious when using third-party apps or services that claim to enhance Snapchat. These apps may compromise your privacy or security.
* **User Awareness:** Educate yourself on Snapchat’s privacy policies and settings to understand how your data is being used and protected.

Conclusion

Snapchat calls offer a fun and convenient way to connect with your friends in real-time. By following the steps and instructions outlined in this guide, you can easily initiate voice and video calls, troubleshoot common issues, and enhance your overall calling experience. Whether you’re having a quick chat or a long-distance conversation, Snapchat calls provide a seamless and engaging way to stay connected. Remember to respect privacy, be mindful of data usage, and have fun experimenting with the various features that Snapchat has to offer.