Did you know that Google makes it easy to initiate a video call without ever leaving Gmail?

Yep! In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to Gmail video call 😎

How to Gmail Video Call on a Computer

So how do you make a Gmail video call?

Option 1 (easiest): Use Google Meet.

Well, the simplest way is just to use Google Meet. You can initiate a meeting at any time.

Just visit the link, start a meeting, and send the meeting URL to your recipients. When they visit the URL, they’ll be put into your meeting. Simple as that.

Option 2: Use Google Hangouts.

You can also use Hangouts, which is technically a separate piece of communication software, but it falls under the Google umbrella and integrates easily with Gmail.

1. Connect Your Camera, Microphone, and Speakers

If you’re new to video calling, you’ll want to make sure your camera, microphone, and speakers/headphones are connected and working properly.

2. Get the Latest Version of the Hangouts Plugin

If you’re using Safari or Internet Explorer, you’ll need to download and install the latest version of the Hangouts plugin.

3. Open Hangouts

After you’ve done that, you can open Hangouts from Gmail. Depending on your current setup, you can either head to the Google Hangouts website, or utilize the sidebar within Gmail.

4. Allow Access to Your Camera and Microphone

If you’re using Hangouts for the first time, you may receive a prompt that asks you for permission to access your camera and/or microphone. Grant this permission to video call successfully.

5. Select a Contact (or Several)

Once Hangouts is open, you’ll be able to access your full list of Contacts. When you’re ready to initiate a Gmail video call, you can select one contact or several.

6. Click Video Call

When you’ve selected all the contacts you wish to call, click “Video call” to start the call. When you’re done, simply click “End call.”

How to Gmail Video Call on a Mobile Device

The steps for making a Gmail video call on a mobile device are very similar to making one on a computer, though you probably won’t need to worry about connecting external devices.

How to Gmail video call on an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Hangouts app. The easiest approach is to download the Hangouts app, and open it when you’re ready to make a video call.
2. Tap Contacts. The Contacts button is found near the bottom of the app. Tap it to open your list of contacts.
3. Select participants. Select one or many participants to add to the video call.
4. Tap Video Call. When you’re ready to begin, tap “Video call.” On an iPad, you may also be able to start a video call by opening a Hangouts conversation, then swiping from right to left. Tap “End call” when you’re done.

How to Gmail video call on an Android device:

1. Open the Hangouts app. You’ll also want to have the Hangouts app installed on your Android device. Open it to begin your Gmail video call.
2. Tap Compose. In the bottom-right corner, you’ll see an option for Compose. Tap it.
3. Tap New Video Call. Then, tap New Video Call to start a new call.
4. Select participants. Here, you’ll have access to your full list of contacts. Add as many or as few people as you’d like.
5. Tap Video Call. Tap “Video call” to being the call, and tap “End call” when you’ve finished.

Gmail video calls have the power to help you improve your online communications. If you’re interested in improving your Gmail efficiency further, it pays to use a tool like EmailAnalytics.

With EmailAnalytics, you’ll gain access to tons of interactive data visuals, helping you understand things like how many emails you send and receive, your average response time, and even your busiest times and days of the week.

You can even monitor these metrics for your individual team members, giving you the data you need to make internal communication improvements.

Sign up for a free trial today, and learn what EmailAnalytics can do for your team!

Jayson DeMers

Jayson is a long-time columnist for Forbes, Entrepreneur, BusinessInsider, Inc.com, and various other major media publications, where he has authored over 1,000 articles since 2012, covering technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship. He keynoted the 2013 MarketingProfs University, and won the “Entrepreneur Blogger of the Year” award in 2015 from the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs. In 2010, he founded a marketing agency that appeared on the Inc. 5000 before selling it in January of 2019, and he is now the CEO of EmailAnalytics.