Video calling via Zoom on smartphone or tablet

Catching up on the phone is fun, but it’s even more fun to see the person you’re calling too. That’s called video calling. Video calling is possible with many programs and apps. For example, an iPhone or iPad has the FaceTime app as standard. And can make video calls on all devices via, for example, Skype or WhatsApp. In this article we will discuss the Zoom app. Read more about the other apps in the article ‘Video calling: apps and possibilities’.

Zoom is therefore a program for video calling. It mainly focuses on companies, for example to meet with a group via the internet. But people can also use it privately. Up to 100 people can join a conversation in the free Zoom version. That makes the program suitable for the largest families. Group calls are limited to 40 minutes in the free version.

The basic functionalities of the program are free. For more options, a subscription must be taken out. Zoom is in English and can be used on a PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet. In this article we discuss the use of Zoom on a smartphone and tablet.

Zoom was regularly in the news in the first half of 2020 due to poor privacy and security. Zoom has been improved on this. For example, a password is always required to participate in a group session. The program can currently be used without any worries.

To use Zoom, download the free ZOOM Cloud Meetings app. It is available for Android devices in the Play Store and for iPhone and iPad in the App Store. Need help downloading an app? Then read the tip ‘Download an app from the Play Store (Android)’ or the tip ‘Download an app from the App Store’.

A Zoom account is not necessary if you only intend to join a conversation at the invitation of someone else. Below we explain the steps for joining a conversation without a password. For this you only need the app and a received link.

• You will receive an email or message from the person who initiates a conversation. Open the email or message and tap the link.
• The Zoom app opens. A screen to enter your name will appear. There is probably already a suggestion. Edit the name if necessary and tap Continue.
• Zoom asks to agree to the company’s terms and conditions. Tap on I Agree to agree.
• Zoom wants to access the device’s camera. Tap on OK.
• Tap the blue button Join with video to join the conversation with images.
• Zoom also wants access to the microphone. Tap on OK.
• The company wants to send messages and notifications. Tap on Allow to allow this.
• Finally, a message appears to ensure that the sound of the other participants can also be heard. Tap To hear others please join audio.

Most of these questions and permissions are only presented the first time. In a subsequent conversation, fewer questions arise.

As we mentioned earlier, there is also another way to participate in a conversation. The initiator then passes on his or her own Meeting ID. To secure the conversation, the initiator must set a password to be required. This makes the conversation more secure. You will then receive the personal Meeting ID and a password.

• The Zoom app opens. A screen to enter your name will appear. There is probably already a suggestion. Edit the name if necessary and tap Continue.
• Tap the blue button Join a Meeting.
• Enter the Meeting ID given to you by the person. This number code.
• Tap on join.
• Enter the password. and tap Continue.
• Zoom asks to agree to the company’s terms and conditions. Tap on I Agree to agree.
• Zoom wants to access the device’s camera. Tap on OK.
• Tap the blue button Join with video to join the conversation with images.
• Zoom also wants access to the microphone. Tap on OK.
• The company wants to send messages and notifications. Tap on Allow to allow this.
• Finally, a message appears to ensure that the sound of the other participants can also be heard. Tap To hear others please join audio.

Most of these questions and permissions are only presented the first time. In a subsequent conversation, fewer questions arise.

Zoom has some options during video calling.

• Tap the screen.
• A bar of options appears.
• Tap on mute to turn off the microphone. Others no longer hear you.
• Tap on Stop Video to turn off the camera. Others don’t see you anymore.
• Tap on more to wave or give a thumbs up and tap the corresponding picture.

Do you notice during video calling that others cannot hear or see you? Then tap the screen and tap Unmute to turn on the sound and press Home Video to turn on the image.

Ready to call? Then leave the conversation.

• Tap the screen.
• Buttons appear on the screen. Tap the button at the top right leave (iPhone) or end (Android).
• Tap on Leave Meeting to leave the conversation.

To start a conversation yourself via Zoom, you need an account. Create an account like this:

• Open the Zoom app.
• Tap on Sign Up to create an account.
• Tap on Email Address and enter your email address.
• Tap on First name and type your first name.
• Tap on Last Name and type your last name.
• Tap the circle for I agree to the Terms of Service to agree to the terms.
• Tap on Sign Up (iPhone) or Next (Android).
• The app reports that an email has been sent to the specified email address. Tap the iPhone OK. Skip this step on Android.
• View the email from Zoom and tap the blue button in the email Activate Account.
• The browser opens containing the Zoom website. Zoom asks for permission for the cookie settings. We choose to store the minimum cookies.
  • Tap on View Cookie Settings.
  • Put a tick in front of Required Cookies / CCPA Opt-Out.
  • Tap on Submit Preferences.
  • Tap on close.
• Tap on password and create a password and enter the password.
• Tap on Confirm Password and retype the password you came up with.
• Tap the orange button Continue to go on.
• Tap the gray button Skip this step not to invite anyone.
• Close the browser.
• Open the Zoom app.
• Tap on Sign In.
• Tap on Email Address and enter the email address.
• Tap on password and enter the password.
• Tap on Sign In.
• Zoom may want access to the calendar. Tap on Refuse.
• On an iPhone/iPad, Zoom wants to use Siri. We choose Refuse.

After you have logged in with an account, you can start a conversation yourself.

• Tap the orange button New Meeting.
• Tap the blue button Start a Meeting.
• Tap on Call using Internet Audio to hear the sound of other participants.
• Tap on participants.
• Tap on invite to send an invitation.
• Tap on (Send) Email to send an invitation by e-mail, at Send Message (iPhone) or Messages (Android) to send a text message.
• Enter the recipient and send the email or message in the usual way.

You can call as soon as the invitee(s) have accepted the call. Tap the red button end to stop the conversation. If you want the entire conversation to end, then tap End Meeting. Can the conversation continue without you? Then tap Leave Meeting.

Starting a conversation via the personal Meeting ID works in a different way. To do this, you must first set that you want to protect your conversations with a password.

• Tap the tab Meetings.
• Tap on edit.
• Make sure the slider behind ‘Required Meeting Password’ is colored. This requires a password to be entered to join a conversation.
• Behind ‘Password’ is the password that you must provide.
• Tap on Save.
• Tap the tab Meetings.
• Give the participants in the conversation your ‘Personal Meeting ID’ and the password.
• Tap on Start.

You can call as soon as the invitee(s) have accepted the call. Tap the red button end to stop the conversation. If you want the entire conversation to end, then tap End Meeting. Can the conversation continue without you? Then tap Leave Meeting.