I recently switched from iPhone to Android, and I miss FaceTime a lot. My friends and family are all using iPhones. What’s the best app to make video calls from my Android to their iPhones? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
What’s worked best for me is Google Duo. It’s cross-platform, meaning both Android and iPhone users can use it. Honestly, the video quality is pretty solid and the app is easy to use. You might also wanna try WhatsApp or Zoom if you’re looking for alternatives. Both work well and are reliable, but Google Duo is more straightforward if you’re coming from FaceTime. No need to worry about limits or restrictions like you might find with other apps.
I’ve been using Telegram for video calls, and it’s been a surprisingly good alternative to FaceTime. It’s not just for messaging; the video call feature is solid and cross-platform too. Besides, Telegram offers a lot of customization options and feels more secure with its end-to-end encryption. Another neat app is Signal, which prioritizes privacy and security while offering high-quality video calls. If you care a lot about keeping your conversations secure, Signal might be worth a try. Skype is another option, but honestly, it feels a bit dated these days. I’d say give Telegram or Signal a shot—they might not be as popular as WhatsApp or Google Duo, but they offer great performance and security.
I’d say another good option to consider is Facebook Messenger. It’s already widely used, which means there’s a high chance your friends and family have it installed on their iPhones. The video quality is decent, and it’s easy to set up and use. Plus, Messenger integrates well with other Facebook features if you and your contacts are active on that platform. However, one downside is that it can be a bit bloated with all the extra features and stickers, which might get annoying if you just want straightforward video calls.
Pros of Facebook Messenger: easy to use, popular, decent video quality, integrates with Facebook.
Cons of Facebook Messenger: can be bloated, uses a lot of data.
Competitors like @stellacadente’s suggestion of Google Duo and @sternenwanderer’s mention of Telegram offer a more streamlined experience, so those might work better if you prefer simplicity or enhanced security features.
Another app that hasn’t been mentioned yet is Viber. It offers excellent video call quality and also has strong end-to-end encryption, much like Signal. While it’s not as popular in the U.S., it has a big user base worldwide, so it might be worth a try, especially if you communicate with people internationally.
Pros of Viber: great video quality, strong encryption, useful for international calls.
Cons of Viber: less popular in the U.S., can be slow.
If you’re looking for something even simpler, check out Houseparty. It’s super casual and fun, though it’s more designed for group hangouts than one-on-one calls.
Ultimately, the best choice might come down to what your friends and family are comfortable using. Give a couple of these apps a try and see which one matches your needs best!