Calling your friends and family members is now more accessible than ever. You can do it with just a few clicks through the Facebook mobile app. You don’t even need a landline or a cell phone! Plus, it’s free! In this article, we’ll show you how to make a call from Facebook. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your Facebook calls.
Before you can make a call from Facebook, you’ll need to install the Facebook Messenger app. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. Once the app is installed, open it and sign in to your Facebook account. If prompted, grant the app permission to access your microphone and camera. Now, you can start making calls!
To make a call, tap on the “Messenger” tab at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap on the “Contacts” tab. You’ll see a list of your Facebook friends who have also installed the Messenger app. Tap on the contact you want to call and your call will start ringing. You can also make calls to people who don’t have the Messenger app installed. To do this, tap on the “Dial” button at the top of the screen and enter the person’s phone number. Your call will be connected using your phone’s cellular network.
Enhancing the Call Experience
Facebook calls offer a convenient way to connect with friends, family, and colleagues, but there are several ways to enhance the call experience for improved clarity, comfort, and functionality.
Customizing the Calling Interface
To personalize the calling interface, click the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner of the Facebook Messenger window. Here, you can:
- Change the call theme: Select from various color themes to match your preferences.
- Enable dark mode: Enhance visibility in low-light conditions by switching to dark mode.
- Configure video settings: Adjust the video resolution, background effects, and camera settings for optimal video quality.
Advanced Call Features
Beyond basic calling, Facebook offers a range of advanced features to elevate the user experience:
- Screen sharing: Share your computer or mobile device screen with other participants for presentations, collaborations, or troubleshooting.
- Live subtitles: Enable live subtitles to generate closed captions during the call, enhancing accessibility and understanding.
- Call effects: Utilize a variety of fun and engaging call effects, such as face filters, backgrounds, and sound effects, to add a touch of personalization.
- Group video calls: Host video calls with multiple participants, allowing for group conversations and virtual gatherings.
- Multi-device support: Seamlessly switch between devices during a call, ensuring continuity without interruptions.
Customizing Notifications and Privacy
To manage call notifications and privacy settings:
- Notification settings: Adjust the notification sounds, vibrations, and pop-up alerts for incoming calls.
- Call blocking: Block specific contacts from calling or messaging you.
- Privacy settings: Control who can see your call history, profile picture, and other personal information during calls.
Caller ID and Privacy
Caller ID
When you make a call using Facebook, your caller ID will be displayed to the recipient. This can be your Facebook name, your phone number, or both. You can choose to hide your caller ID for individual calls or for all calls.
To hide your caller ID for an individual call:
1. Tap the “Phone” icon at the bottom of the Facebook app.
2. Dial the phone number you want to call.
3. Tap the “More” icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
4. Select “Hide caller ID.”
To hide your caller ID for all calls:
1. Tap the “Settings” icon at the bottom of the Facebook app.
2. Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
3. Tap “Caller ID.”
4. Select “Hide caller ID.”
Privacy
Facebook collects data about your calls, including the phone numbers you call, the time and date of your calls, and the duration of your calls. This data is used to improve the quality of Facebook’s calling service and to provide you with personalized features.
You can control the amount of data that Facebook collects about your calls by adjusting your privacy settings. To do this:
1. Tap the “Settings” icon at the bottom of the Facebook app.
2. Scroll down and tap “Privacy.”
3. Tap “Activity Log.”
4. Tap “Manage Your Activity.”
5. Under “Activity Log Settings,” tap “Calls.”
6. Select the level of privacy you want for your call data.
Troubleshooting Call Issues
If you’re having trouble making or receiving calls from Facebook, there are a few things you can check:
Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure you have a strong internet connection. You can try restarting your router or modem.
Check Your Phone Settings
Make sure that your phone is allowed to make and receive calls. You can check this in your phone’s settings.
Check Your Facebook App Permissions
Make sure that you have given Facebook permission to access your contacts and make calls.
Disable Call Blocking Apps
If you’re using a call blocking app, disable it and try again.
Try Calling from a Different Device
If you’re having trouble calling from your phone, try calling from a different device, such as a computer or a tablet. This can help you determine if the problem is with your phone or with Facebook.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips:
If you’re still having trouble making or receiving calls from Facebook, you can try the following additional troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your phone.
- Clear the cache and data for the Facebook app.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app.
- Contact Facebook support.
| Error Message | Solution |
|---|---|
| “Call failed” | Check your internet connection and make sure that you have given Facebook permission to make calls. |
| “Recipient is not available” | The recipient may not be using Facebook Messenger or may have blocked you. |
| “Your call was declined” | The recipient declined your call. |
Managing Call History
To manage your call history on Facebook, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Calls” icon in the top right corner of your Facebook homepage.
- You will see a list of all your recent calls.
- To filter your calls, click on the “Filter” button and select the desired option.
- To delete a call, click on the “X” button next to the call entry.
- To view the details of a call, click on the call entry.
- You can also export your call history by clicking on the “Export” button.
- To view your call quality, click on the “Quality” tab in the call history window.
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your mobile device.
- Tap the Phone icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter the phone number you want to call.
- Tap the Call button.
- An active Facebook account
- The Facebook Messenger app installed on your mobile device
- A stable internet connection
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Packets Lost | The percentage of packets that were lost during the call. |
| Jitter | The variation in the delay of packets during the call. |
| Latency | The time it takes for a packet to travel from one end of the call to the other. |
| Round-Trip Time | The time it takes for a packet to travel from one end of the call to the other and back again. |
Utilizing Video Calling
Video calling is a convenient way to connect with friends and family face-to-face from the comfort of your own home. Facebook offers video calling through its Messenger app and website. Here are the steps on how to make a video call from Facebook:
1. Open Facebook Messenger
Log in to your Facebook account and click on the Messenger icon at the top right corner of the screen.
2. Start a New Conversation
Click on the “New Message” button and select the contact you want to video call.
3. Click the Video Call Button
In the chat window, click on the video call icon (looks like a camera). This will initiate a video call.
4. Grant Camera and Microphone Access
If prompted, grant Facebook permission to access your camera and microphone.
5. Join the Call
Once you join the call, you’ll be able to see and hear the other person in real-time. You can also share your screen, use filters, and add other participants.
6. End the Call
To end the video call, click on the “End” button at the bottom of the screen.
7. Video Call Settings
You can customize your video call settings by clicking on the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. This allows you to adjust the video quality, turn on or off notifications, and mute or unmute your microphone.
8. Advanced Video Call Features
Facebook offers several advanced features for video calls, including:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Screen Sharing | Share your screen with other participants to show presentations, collaborate on projects, or watch videos together. |
| Filters | Apply fun filters and effects to your video to add some personality to your call. |
| Group Video Calls | Connect with up to 50 people in a group video call, perfect for large meetings or family gatherings. |
| Cross-Platform Calling | Make video calls to people who use Messenger on other devices, such as smartphones or tablets. |
| Background Blur | Hide your background during video calls for more privacy or to reduce distractions. |
Integrating Other Communication Apps
Facebook Messenger allows you to connect and communicate with other users through various platforms, including:
– WhatsApp: Connect your WhatsApp account to Facebook Messenger to send and receive messages, make calls, and share media directly from the Messenger app. To do this, open Messenger, tap “Settings,” then “Privacy & Support,” and select “Connect to WhatsApp.” Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize the connection.
– Instagram Direct: Integrate your Instagram Direct account with Messenger to effortlessly send and receive messages from Instagram users within the Messenger app. To connect your accounts, open Messenger, click the “People” tab, and tap “Add Contacts.” Select “Instagram” and log in to your Instagram account to link them.
– SMS: For convenient messaging outside of the Facebook ecosystem, you can connect your phone number to Messenger. This enables you to send and receive SMS messages from Messenger. To set this up, open Messenger, tap “Settings,” then “Phone Contacts and SMS,” and click “Connect Phone Number.” Verify your phone number with the provided code.
– Messenger Rooms: For video conferencing and group calls, you can utilize Messenger Rooms. To start a room, open Messenger, click on the video call icon, and select “Create a Room.” You can then invite participants via Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, or email.
– Workplace: Facebook’s solution for business communication and collaboration, Workplace, can be integrated with Messenger. This integration allows you to access and manage Workplace chats, calls, and other features directly from the Messenger app.
– Other apps: Facebook has also partnered with a range of third-party communication apps, including Kik, Viber, Discord, and Telegram. By connecting these apps to Messenger, you can expand your communication network and interact with users across multiple platforms.
| App | Integration |
|---|---|
| Send/Receive Messages, Calls, Media | |
| Instagram Direct | Send/Receive Messages from Instagram Users |
| SMS | Send/Receive SMS Messages |
| Messenger Rooms | Video Conferencing, Group Calls |
| Workplace | Access/Manage Workplace Chats, Calls, Features |
| Other Apps (e.g., Kik, Viber, Discord, Telegram) | Expanded Communication Network |
Security Considerations When Making Calls
1. Keep your personal information private
When you make a call from Facebook, your phone number is not displayed to the other person. However, if you use your Facebook account to log in to other apps, such as WhatsApp or Messenger, your phone number may be shared with those apps.
Be cautious about sharing your phone number with people you don’t know. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can use a burner phone or a VoIP service to make calls from Facebook.
2. Be aware of phishing scams
Phishing scams are attempts to trick you into giving up your personal information, such as your password or credit card number. Phishing scams can come in the form of emails, text messages, or phone calls.
If you receive a call from someone you don’t know, be wary of giving them any personal information. If you’re not sure if a call is legitimate, you can hang up and call the person back at a number you know is correct.
3. Use caution when connecting to Wi-Fi networks
When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, your traffic is not encrypted. This means that anyone on the same network can potentially intercept your calls.
If you’re concerned about privacy, you should only connect to Wi-Fi networks that you trust. You can also use a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your traffic and protect your privacy.
4. Be aware of the risks associated with international calls
Calls to international numbers can be expensive. In addition, some countries have laws that restrict the use of VoIP services.
Before making an international call, be sure to check the rates and terms of service for your carrier. You should also be aware of the laws governing VoIP usage in the country you are calling.
5. Use a strong password for your Facebook account
Your Facebook password is the key to your account. If your password is weak, it could be easily hacked.
Use a strong password that is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
6. Keep your Facebook account updated
Facebook regularly releases security updates. These updates help to protect your account from hackers.
Be sure to keep your Facebook account updated to the latest version.
7. Use a security key
A security key is a physical device that you can use to log in to your Facebook account. Security keys are more secure than passwords because they cannot be hacked remotely.
If you’re concerned about account security, you should consider using a security key to log in to your Facebook account.
8. Report suspicious activity
If you see anything suspicious on Facebook, such as a phishing scam or a compromised account, you can report it to Facebook.
To report suspicious activity, visit the Facebook Help Center and click on the “Report a Problem” link.
9. Be aware of the risks associated with third-party apps
When you use third-party apps with Facebook, you are sharing your personal information with those apps. Some third-party apps may not be trustworthy and could share your information with others.
Be careful about which third-party apps you use with Facebook. Only use apps that you trust and that have good privacy policies.
10. Protect your privacy by using Facebook’s privacy settings
Facebook offers a variety of privacy settings that you can use to control who can see your information. You can use these settings to control who can see your posts, who can send you messages, and who can add you as a friend.
To access your privacy settings, click on the down arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page and select “Settings”. Then, click on the “Privacy” tab.
| Privacy Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone can see your posts, photos, and videos. |
| Friends | Only your friends can see your posts, photos, and videos. |
| Only me | Only you can see your posts, photos, and videos. |
How to Make a Call from Facebook
Making a call from Facebook is easy and convenient. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
People Also Ask
How much does it cost to make a call from Facebook?
Making calls from Facebook is free for all users.
Can I make calls from Facebook to landlines?
Yes, you can make calls from Facebook to landline and mobile numbers.
What are the requirements for making a call from Facebook?
To make calls from Facebook, you need:
