People now rely on video calls. However, with poor quality and internet disconnections, the one thing that can spoil the mood is device incompatibility. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Android user who had to invent FaceTime Android workarounds for communicating with iPhone friends or if your video is so pixelated that everyone seems to call from the calendars back to 2005; these things affect millions of users around the world every day.
Here’s the good news: Most of the headaches caused by these video calls have relatively easy solutions, none of which require a degree in technology to accomplish. Now, let’s move on to the most effective cures for both Android and iPhone users, as well as useful cross-platform solutions.
Common Video Call Issues That Drive Everyone Crazy
Before we can explore solutions for video-calling frustrations, let us identify the reasons that cause these issues.
Poor video quality, mainly characterised by grainy and pixelated images, makes it impossible for someone on the call to see facial expressions clearly. Last-minute interruptions occur due to unreliable connections, causing at least one party’s call to drop, usually at the most important moments in the phone conversation. Android and iPhone make it impossible to bridge barriers between attempting to connect with friends or colleagues who may have another device incompatible with the establishment.
Everyone has their own share of troubles when it comes to professional video conferencing or family gatherings, such as troubleshooting for users who manage screen sharing.
Video Call Quality Statistics
| Issue Type | Android Users Affected | iPhone Users Affected | Cross-Platform Impact |
| Poor video quality | 68% | 52% | 73% |
| Connection drops | 61% | 43% | 69% |
| Audio sync problems | 45% | 38% | 58% |
| Screen sharing issues | 52% | 41% | 64% |
| App compatibility | 71% | 29% | 82% |
Fixing Android Video Call Headaches
Optimize Your Camera Settings
Android devices have a wide range of options when it comes to camera customizing, which can greatly improve the quality of videos made. To adjust the video quality, simply head to the settings of your video calling app and look for options related to video quality. Most apps allow you to select from different resolution settings; “HD” or “High Quality” should be chosen when the connection is strong enough.
These include apps like Google Meet and Zoom; for those, check under app settings to see if hardware acceleration has been enabled in the app. This means it would utilise the dedicated graphics processor, just like phone hardware, to enhance video processing for smoother performance and higher quality.
Improve Your Internet Connection
The stability of the internet can determine call quality to a large degree. Switch to Wi-Fi whenever available, as cellular data is often unreliable. If you need to use mobile data, ensure the signal strength is good.
Shut down all unnecessary apps that may be consuming bandwidth. Streaming media, downloading files, or even social media apps running in the background will really affect the quality of your video calls.
Utilize Third-Party Apps for Better Cross-Platform Communication
However, the options available today are much superior compared to what Rabbit video chat used to offer. The most significant advantage of WhatsApp over other video calling platforms is its end-to-end encryption, which provides video-calling functionality across various platforms. With Google Meet, you can enjoy the benefits of preventing dropped calls, as it seamlessly integrates with all other Google services and is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices.
Zoom still sets the mark for business-related video calls. It features screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and caters to an innumerable number of members in a single call without significant quality loss.
Address Common Android Glitches
It is a good practice to restart your phone before an important call, as this helps clear temporary files and refresh ongoing system processes. Furthermore, video conferencing applications should be updated to the latest version, as developers typically release updates to address connection and quality issues.
Cache for video calling applications can be cleared by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache. This resolves many performance issues without compromising your personal data.
Resolving iPhone Video Call Problems
Use FaceTime Links for Android Users
FaceTime for Apple now supports cross-platform calling via shareable links. Through the application, iPhone users can create FaceTime links and share them via messages or email with the “Create link” option. For Android users to join the calls, they will not need to download an additional application, as they can access it through their web browser.
This brings down the walls between the two worlds, even though some features, such as Animoji or SharePlay, may be left out for Android users.
Adjust Display Settings for Migraine Prevention
Is there a feature on the iPhone that can assist users with motion-sensing capabilities or brightness sensitivity? Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion settings will help reduce visual effects that trigger headaches.
Reduce blue light exposure by using Night Shift, accessible through Display & Brightness, to minimise eye strain during long video calls. Increasing the text size and using bold text can help reduce squinting and eye fatigue.
iOS-Specific Troubleshooting
To do so, swipe up and flick the FaceTime or video calling app off the screen to force it to close, then reopen it. This is an easy method to rectify many transient errors.
Try other applications that rely on the internet, such as using your browser to open a website or accessing Facebook. If your problem is persisting across multiple apps, it is likely not an issue with the video calling app itself, but rather with your connection.
General Tips for Better Video Calls
Optimize Your Environment
Light can make a world of difference in video quality. Sit facing a light source, preferably a window with natural light. Avoid sitting with bright lights behind you, as this creates silhouettes and turns you into a dark shadow.
Avoid echo and improve sound quality for everyone on the call by using headphones or earbuds. This minor tweak makes a significant difference in the overall quality of a call.
Keep Everything Updated
Please keep your video calling apps and OS up to date for the best experience. These updates often include performance enhancements and bug fixes that improve call quality.
If your personal tech isn’t running as it should, rebooting at least once a week can help clear out temporary files and refresh system processes that may be weighing down video performance.
Choose the Right App for Your Needs
Different apps are good for different situations. Turn to WhatsApp for quick, informal calls with friends and family. Select Zoom if you need additional features such as screen sharing or the ability to record professional meetings. Google Meet is great for mixed Android and iPhone groups, and FaceTime remains the best option for connecting between two iPhones.
Making Video Calls Work Seamlessly
Video call challenges don’t have to be a chronic source of frustration. With these specific remedies, you can utilize adjustments to your camera settings and internet connections, as well as download the best apps for cross-platform communication, to greatly improve the quality of your calls.
The secret is to solve the actual problems that plague your setup, rather than attempting some generic solutions. Android phone owners can home in on app efficiency and stable connections, whereas iPhone users have numerous accessibility features (and FaceTime’s cross-platform appeal) to choose from.
And small changes are usually the ones that give you the best return. In many cases, something as straightforward as bringing headphones to your call, sitting near quality lighting, or clearing your app cache can help transform an irksome experience into a happy chatting one.