Written by: The Video Call Wizard (Your Family Connection Specialist)
Missing your grandkids? Want to see their faces instead of just hearing their voices on the phone?
Video calls changed everything. You can see the baby learning to walk. Watch your grandson blow out birthday candles. Have Sunday dinner “together” even when you’re states apart.
But only if you know how to actually use FaceTime and Zoom. A lot of people in Orange County tell us they want to video chat with family but don’t know how to start the call or what buttons to push.
Let’s fix that today. We’ll show you exactly how to use Zoom and FaceTime so you can see your family’s faces whenever you want.
Don’t want to read all this? We completely understand. Video calling feels intimidating when you’ve never done it before, and you don’t want to mess it up when your family is waiting on the other end. That’s what we do at Teach Me Tech OC. We come to your home anywhere in Orange County (or meet online, ironically, through Google Meet), set up FaceTime or Zoom on your device, practice with you until you’re comfortable, and make sure you can confidently call your family anytime. Just reach out.
Quick Overview: Video Calling with FaceTime and Zoom
FaceTime (iPhone, iPad, Mac only):
- Already installed on Apple devices
- Free video calls to other Apple users
- Simple and easy to use
- Great for one-on-one family calls
Zoom (Works on everything):
- Download free app
- Works on iPhone, Android, computer, tablet
- Best for group calls with multiple family members
- Can join meetings other people schedule
What You Need:
- Device with camera (phone, tablet, or computer)
- Internet connection (WiFi)
- Contact info for who you’re calling
Why Video Is Better Than Phone:
- See facial expressions and body language
- Watch grandkids growing and changing
- Feel more connected
- Read to kids and show them things
Using FaceTime to Stay in Touch with Family
FaceTime comes free on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If your family has Apple devices, this is the easiest way to video call them.
Starting a FaceTime Call
Steps:
- Open FaceTime app (green icon with video camera)
- Tap plus sign or “New FaceTime”
- Type person’s name or phone number
- Tap video camera icon next to their name
- Call starts ringing on their device
- When they answer, you’ll see their face
During the Call
Your face shows in a small box in the corner. Their face fills the screen. You can move your small box around if it’s in the way.
Buttons at bottom:
- Microphone icon: mute yourself
- Camera icon: turn off your video
- Red phone icon: hang up
Most of the time you just talk and don’t touch any buttons. Only mute if you need to cough or if there’s background noise bothering them.
Ending the Call
Tap the red phone icon. Call ends. That’s it.
We helped a grandmother in San Clemente set up FaceTime to call her grandkids in Seattle. First call was a bit awkward while she figured out where to look and how loud to talk. By the third call, totally comfortable. Now they FaceTime every Sunday and she watches them grow up despite the distance.
Common FaceTime Problems and Solutions
They can’t hear you:
- Check if you accidentally muted yourself
- Look for microphone icon with line through it
- Tap it to unmute
You can’t hear them:
- Turn up your volume
- Use volume buttons on side of device
Video is frozen or choppy:
- Your internet is slow
- Move closer to WiFi router
- Or try calling again later
They can’t see you:
- Make sure you didn’t turn off camera
- Look for camera icon
- Make sure camera lens isn’t covered
Call won’t connect:
- They might not have FaceTime turned on
- Or not connected to internet
- Or they’re on Android (FaceTime only works with Apple devices)
Using Zoom to Video Call Family
Zoom works on everything: iPhones, Android phones, Windows computers, Macs, tablets. If you have family with different types of devices, Zoom is usually easier than FaceTime.
Downloading Zoom
On phone or tablet:
- Go to App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android)
- Search for “Zoom”
- Download app with blue video camera icon
On computer:
- Go to zoom.us
- Click “Download” at bottom
- Install it
You can use Zoom without creating an account, but creating a free account makes things easier. Tap “Sign Up Free” and follow instructions.
Joining a Zoom Call Someone Else Started
This is the most common situation. Your kids or grandkids send you a Zoom link and you need to join their call.
Steps:
- They send you link (looks like: zoom.us/j/123456789)
- Tap or click that link
- Zoom opens automatically
- Click “Join Meeting”
- Might need to enter Meeting ID and Password if sent separately
- Click “Join with Video”
- You’re in the call
Starting Your Own Zoom Call
Steps:
- Open Zoom app
- Tap “New Meeting”
- Your video turns on
- Tap “Invite” at bottom
- Choose how to send invite (text message, email)
- Send to whoever you want on call
- When they click your link, they join you
For scheduled calls (like every Sunday at 2pm):
- Tap “Schedule” instead
- Pick date and time
- Zoom creates meeting
- Send link ahead of time
During a Zoom Call
What you’ll see:
- Everyone’s faces in boxes on screen
- Person talking gets highlighted or made bigger automatically
- Your face shows in one of the boxes
Don’t stare at yourself the whole time. Look at the other people.
Important buttons at bottom:
- Mute/Unmute (microphone icon): turns your microphone on or off
- Stop/Start Video (camera icon): turns your video on or off
- Leave Meeting (red button): ends call for you
Looking Natural on Video
Tips:
- Look at camera (tiny circle at top of screen) when talking
- Looking at camera is like making eye contact
- Looking at screen makes it seem like you’re looking down
- Prop device at eye level if possible
- Laptops on table usually point up at chin (not flattering)
- Put laptop on stack of books or use phone/tablet stand
- Face window or light source
- Having light on your face makes you easier to see
We practiced this with someone in Irvine. First call she held phone in lap pointed up at face. Looked terrible. Second call, propped tablet on kitchen counter at eye level, faced window. Looked great. Small changes, big difference.
Zoom vs FaceTime: Which Should You Use?
Use FaceTime if:
- You and family all have iPhones, iPads, or Macs
- You want simple one-on-one calls
- You don’t want to download anything (already there)
Use Zoom if:
- Family has mix of devices (some iPhone, some Android, some computers)
- You want multiple people on one call
- Your family is more comfortable with Zoom
- Someone else schedules calls and sends you links
Honestly? Use whatever your family wants to use. If they send you FaceTime request, use FaceTime. If they send Zoom link, use Zoom. Don’t overthink it.
We have clients who use both. FaceTime for quick calls with one grandkid. Zoom for Sunday family calls with everyone. Both work fine.
Making Video Calls Feel More Natural
First few video calls feel weird. You’re staring at a screen, seeing yourself, not sure where to look. Totally normal. Gets easier fast.
Tips for Better Video Calls
Have something to do together:
- Just staring at each other gets awkward
- Read book to grandkids
- Show them your garden
- Play “I Spy”
- Eat meal together
Don’t worry about appearance:
- Nobody looks perfect on video
- Your family just wants to see your face
- They don’t care if hair’s not perfect
Keep calls shorter at first:
- 15-20 minutes
- Build up to longer calls as you get comfortable
For little grandkids:
- Keep their attention with props
- Show them your cat
- A toy
- Something colorful
- Little kids can’t just sit and talk on video for long
Someone in Mission Viejo calls her grandkids every Tuesday. She bakes cookies during the call and shows them each step. Kids love it and she stays connected despite living states apart. Simple but effective.
Technical Setup for Better Video Calls
Internet Connection Matters
Video calls need good internet. Connect to WiFi, don’t use cellular data. Sit in same room as WiFi router if possible. Weak WiFi makes video freeze and calls drop.
Charge Your Device or Plug It In
Video calls drain battery fast. Start with full charge or keep it plugged in during call.
Use Headphones for Clearer Audio
Not required, but if you have Apple earbuds or any headphones, use them. You’ll hear better and they’ll hear you clearer with less echo.
Good Lighting Makes Big Difference
Face window during daytime. Turn on room lights at night. You want light on your face, not behind you.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Video calls aren’t always perfect. Sometimes they freeze, drop, or have problems. Don’t panic.
Call drops mid-conversation:
- Happens
- Just call back
- Not a big deal
- Check WiFi connection
Audio echoes:
- Someone on call isn’t using headphones
- Their microphone picking up their speaker
- Ask everyone to mute when not talking
- Or someone should use headphones
Can’t figure out how to join:
- Call or text person who sent link
- Ask them to walk you through it
- Better yet, have them call you old-fashioned way
- Talk you through joining while they’re on phone
App crashes or freezes:
- Close app completely and reopen
- If doesn’t work, restart device
Most problems fix themselves by trying again. Technology isn’t perfect. Roll with it.
Scheduling Regular Video Calls
The best way to stay in touch with family through video calls is making it a routine.
Every Sunday at 3pm, FaceTime with grandkids. Every Tuesday evening, Zoom call with your daughter. Whatever schedule works, stick to it.
Regular calls mean:
- You always know when you’ll see them
- They remember and plan for it
- Becomes normal part of life, not special event
- You stay more connected
We helped a couple in Costa Mesa set up weekly Zoom calls with their three adult children in different states. Every Saturday morning at 10am. Everyone’s coffee time. They’ve done it for two years now. Missed maybe five weeks total. Says they feel more connected to their kids now than when everyone lived nearby and just texted occasionally.
Video Calling Is Worth Learning
Yes, it’s new. Yes, it feels weird at first. Yes, there’s a learning curve.
But seeing your grandkids’ faces light up when you join the call? Watching them grow up even from far away? Being part of family moments in real time?
Totally worth it.
Don’t let technology fear keep you from connecting with family. Learn FaceTime or Zoom once, use it forever.
We’ll Set You Up and Practice With You
If you want to video call family but feel overwhelmed by the technology, that’s exactly what we help with at Teach Me Tech OC.
What we’ll do:
- Come to your home (or meet online via Google Meet)
- Set up FaceTime or Zoom (or both) on your device
- Practice making calls until comfortable
- Troubleshoot lighting and camera angle so you look good
- Save family’s contact info so it’s easy to call
- Coordinate with your family if needed
- Make sure everyone’s on same page about which app and when to call
Cities we serve:
- Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point
- Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita
- Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa
- San Clemente, Tustin, Foothill Ranch
- And everywhere else in Orange County
Don’t miss another moment with your grandkids because technology feels too complicated. Reach out to Teach Me Tech OC, and let’s get you video calling your family confidently and regularly.