Make calls with Google Duo

You can make video or audio calls to anyone in your contacts. Learn how you can find and add people to call.

All calls, including international ones, are made through your mobile data plan or a Wi-Fi connection, so you won't use your mobile minutes. If you use your mobile data, charges may apply. 

Learn how to set up Google Duo.

Start a video or voice call

Make sure you have the latest version of the Duo app and you're running Android 7.0 and up.

  1. On your Android device, open the Duo app.
  2. Swipe up to find your contacts, then tap a name to call.
  3. Choose Video call video call or Voice call Audio.
  4. When done, tap End call End call.

If you have a Google Home device connected to your Duo account, you can call it from the app:

  1. On your Android device, open the Duo app.
  2. At the top of your contact list, tap Call Home.

Duo will call any Google Home device you’re signed in to, like Smart Displays with Google Assistant.

Important: Your Google Assistant language must be set to English US, English UK, Canadian English, or French Canadian.

Start a group video call

You can have up to 32 participants in a group video call on Duo.

Create a group

  1. On your Android phone, open the Duo app.
  2. On the screen, swipe up.
  3. Tap Create group.
  4. Choose your contacts.
  5. Tap Video call video call.

Tip: You can name the group when you create it or when the call is done. To name the group, tap the pencil icon, enter a name, and tap Save. Everyone in the group will see the name.

Share a link to start a group call

  1. On your Android device, open the Duo app.
  2. Swipe up and tap Create group.
  3. Tap Next or Done.
  4. To share the link or add contacts, tap Share Share.
    • If the recipient clicks the link on a computer, it opens duo.google.com.
    • If the recipient taps the link on mobile and has Duo installed, it opens Duo.
    • If the recipient taps the link on mobile and Duo isn’t installed, it opens the Duo listing on the Play Store.
  5. Tap Start video call.

Call an existing group or join a live group call

Important: Child accounts can only join groups if at least one of their contacts is in that group. 

  1. On your Android phone, open the Duo app.
  2. On the screen, swipe up.
  3. Under “Groups,” choose to call a group or join a live group, if available. If “Live” is under the group name, the call is live and you can join.
    • To call an existing group, tap the group name and then Start Video call video call.
    • To join a live group call, tap the group name and then Join Video call video call.

Add members, rename a group, or leave a group

  1. Open the Duo app and swipe up on the screen.
  2. Under “Groups,” tap a group and then More More.
  3. Choose an option and follow the instructions on the screen.

Learn about blocked numbers in group calls.

Make calls from other apps

You can make Google Duo calls from other apps.

If your carrier has its own video-calling feature:

  • If you and the person you’re calling have the same carrier, the call might use your carrier’s video service.
  • If you have different carriers, the call will use Google Duo.
Call from the Phone app

To use Duo with the Phone app, make sure you have version 13.0 and up.

  1. Open the Phone app Phone app.
  2. Open call history.
  3. Choose a contact.
  4. Tap Video call video call.
  5. When done, tap End call End call.
Call from the Contacts app

To use Duo with the Contacts app, make sure you have version 2.1 and up.

  1. Open the Contacts app Contacts app.
  2. Open a contact’s info card.
  3. Tap Video call video call.
  4. When done, tap End call End call.
Call from the Messages app

To use Duo with the Messages app, make sure you have version 2.6 and up.

  1. Open the Messages app Android Messages app.
  2. Open a Messages conversation.
  3. Tap Video call video call.
  4. When done, tap End call End call.
Call from the Google Assistant

You can start a Duo video call by saying or typing:

  • "Duo call [name]."
  • "Video call [name]."

Fix problems with calls

Can’t make video calls
If you’re on Android 8.0 and up, sync your Duo settings. Tap Settings and then Users & Accounts and then Duo and then Account sync and then More Moreand then Sync now.
Can't find effects or filters
If you can't find effects or filters, you might have an older version of Android. These features work only on Android 9 and up. ⁠Learn how to check your Android version.
Not getting call notifications
Make sure you have the latest version of the app and are connected to Wi-Fi or a data connection. Learn more about other troubleshooting steps for notifications.

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