Instagram is undoubtedly one of the most popular sites out there. The service is quite popular with most young people and has made it easier for people to share photos and videos with the world. The Facebook-owned platform has been adding new features as it tries to attract users from other social sites. Snapchat was the biggest culprit with this move but Instagram did not just want what Snapchat had, it wanted a bigger market presence and promised additional features this year.
The latest change on Instagram is the addition of video chat support. If you had always wanted to have video chats on Instagram, you will soon be able to do so. Instagram says that users will be able to have video chats on Instagram Direct. You will be able to have one-on-one chats or take part in group video chats through the app.
This is a big addition to Instagram as it recently crossed the 1 billion monthly active users mark and it has to ensure it caters for all of them. There are those who may want video chats and if they do not get on Instagram, they may have to look for such on other applications. Video chats are also great for Instagram as it will hook people on the app and keep them coming back if it turns out to be good.
How to Start an Instagram Video Chat
Swipe left to get to your Instagram Direct Inbox
Open the Message thread of the person you want to have a video chat with
Tap on the video icon at the top right section of the thread and the person will get a notification of the incoming video chat request
When the person on the other end joins, you will see a split screen of you and the other party
You can minimize the video chat window to the bottom right section to interact with other parts of the Instagram app. The minimized window also allows you to do other things on your phone while the video chat window floats as you move around. If you wish, you can also turn off your camera during the chat and when you do so, the other party will be notified of your action.
This update also supports group video chats of up to 4 people. To join a group video chat, just go through your group threads and if you see a blue camera icon, just tap on it to join the group chat. To leave the chat, just tap on the red phone icon at the bottom of the screen.
Also Read: You Could Soon Be Able To Upload One Hour Long Videos To Instagram
