Audio and video calls

In Yandex Messenger, you can make audio and video calls right from the chat. You can call one person or make group calls. During the call, you can text in the chat, share your screen, and record the call.

You can make audio and video calls:

  • In the Yandex Messenger desktop application for Windows or macOS.
  • In the Yandex Messenger web version: in Yandex Browser, Google Chrome, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox.
  • In the Yandex Messenger app for devices running on Android 7.0 and later.
  • In the Yandex Messenger app for devices running on iOS 14.1 and higher.

Call settings

To make and receive calls:

Select audio and video devices

Your audio output device can be the built-in speaker, speakerphone, wireless headset, or headphones. You can switch between the rear and front cameras during video calls. To learn more, see Managing calls.

In the app settings, select your camera, microphone, and audio output device for making calls:

  1. Click above the chat list.
  2. In the Calls section, click Camera, Microphone, or Sound.
  3. Select a device.

Allow access to the microphone and camera

When you call somebody or accept an incoming call for the first time, the app requests access to the microphone (and the camera if it's a video call). You can allow access immediately or do it later in the device settings.

Allow access in the settings

Note

Mobile device manufacturers can change the Android interface. Below are instructions for Android without modifications.

  1. Open the device settings.
  2. Tap Apps and notifications → App permissions → Show all apps.
  3. Select Yandex Messenger in the list of apps.
  4. Tap Permissions.
  5. Activate the Camera and Microphone options.

When you call somebody or accept an incoming call for the first time, the app requests access to the microphone (and the camera if it's a video call). You can allow access immediately or do it later in the device settings.

Allow access in the settings
  1. Open the device settings.
  2. Select Yandex Messenger in the list of apps.
  3. Activate the Microphone and Camera options.

Make sure that access to the camera and microphone is allowed in your device's OS settings.

Windows 10

To access the camera:

  1. Click  →  → Privacy.
  2. In the menu on the left, select Camera.
  3. Make sure that Allow apps to access your camera setting is on.
  4. In the list of applications that can access the microphone, make sure that the Camera option is on.

To access the microphone:

  1. Click  →  → Privacy.
  2. In the menu on the left, select Microphone.
  3. Make sure that the Allow apps to access your microphone setting is on.
  4. In the list of applications that can access the microphone, make sure that the Voice Recorder option is on.

Tip

Make sure that the Chats application has been added to the antivirus exception list.

macOS

In the system settings, make sure the Chats:

When you call somebody or accept an incoming call for the first time, the browser requests access to the microphone. You can allow access immediately or do it later in the device settings.

Select your browser

Yandex Browser

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Opera

Safari

Make sure that access to the camera and microphone is allowed in your device's OS settings.

Windows 10

To access the camera:

  1. Click  →  → Privacy.
  2. In the menu on the left, select Camera.
  3. Make sure that Allow apps to access your camera setting is on.
  4. In the list of applications that can access the microphone, make sure that the Camera option is on.

To access the microphone:

  1. Click  →  → Privacy.
  2. In the menu on the left, select Microphone.
  3. Make sure that the Allow apps to access your microphone setting is on.
  4. In the list of applications that can access the microphone, make sure that the Voice Recorder option is on.

Tip

Make sure that the Chats application has been added to the antivirus exception list.

macOS

Make sure the browser where you open Yandex Messenger has:

Making a call

There are several ways to start a call.

  • Open a private chat, tap at the top, and select Call or Video call.
  • In the chat list, tap and hold the chat card. In the menu that appears, select Voice call or Video call.
  • On the chat screen, tap the message showing the call status (for example, if you missed a call).
  • In the chat, tap  → User information and select Call or Video call.

Add one or more members during a call to create a group call.

  • Open a private chat, tap at the top, and select Call or Video call.
  • In the chat, tap  → Chat info and select Call or Video call.
  • Open a private chat and click at the top.
  • In the chat list, right-click the name of the chat. In the menu that appears, select Voice call or Video call.

Add one or more members during a call to create a group call.

Making group calls

You can make audio and video calls in group chats that have up to 40 members, and call any chat member. Group calls in Yandex Messenger provide the same features as Yandex Telemost. You can add new members, communicate in group chats, share screen, and record calls. There are several ways to start a group call.

During one-on-one calls
  1. In the lower-left corner, press .
  2. Choose the people you want to call from the contact list.
  3. Press Add members.

A group chat will be created. Every member will see a call notification above the chat list and will be able to join.

Calling group chat members
  1. Open a group chat.
  2. Press in the upper-right corner.

Group chat members will see a call notification above the chat list and will be able to join.

Calling members from the list
  1. In the chat list, press .
  2. In the lower-left corner, press .
  3. Choose the people you want to call from the member list.
  4. Press Call.

The chat members you invited will see a notification above the chat list and will be able to join the call.

Calling group call members

To join the call and then call a specific chat member:

  1. Open a group chat.
  2. Press in the upper-right corner.
  3. Press Join meeting.
  4. Choose who you want to call.
  5. Press Call.

If you've already joined the call:

  1. In the lower-left corner, press .
  2. Press Invite to call.
  3. Choose who you want to call.
  4. Press Call.

The members will get a notification and will be able to join.

Note

If a user has blocked incoming calls in the Yandex Messenger settings (the Privacy section), you won't be able to reach them. The user will need to allow incoming calls or go to the group chat and press Join.

If a person you invited doesn't respond right away, they can join later. To do this, they need to open the chat with an active group call and press Join.

After the call is finished, the messages sent during the call, the information about the call time and duration, and the recording (if it was on) are saved in the chat history. To learn more about recording calls, go to Recording a group call.

Managing calls

To accept an incoming call, press . To end or reject a call, press .

Icon

Action

The microphone is muted. Tap to enable it.

The microphone is on. Tap to disable it.

Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.

Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.

Camera selection. Tap to switch between the rear and front cameras.

View the chat member list.

Enable gallery view.

Enable speaker view.

Show chat.

End call.

Icon

Action

The microphone is muted. Tap to enable it.

The microphone is on. Tap to disable it.

Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.

Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.

View the chat member list.

Enable gallery view.

Enable speaker view.

Share your screen with call members. You can share an application window, a browser tab, or your entire screen.

You're sharing your screen. Click to end screen sharing.

You're not recording the group call. Click to start recording.

You're recording the group call. Click to stop recording. After you end the call, the recording will be saved in the group chat history.

Show chat.

End call.

Sharing your screen

Screen sharing works in the Yandex Messenger web version, in the Yandex Messenger desktop application on Windows and macOS, and in the Yandex Messenger app for mobile devices running on Android 7.0 and later. To start screen sharing:

  1. During the call, press . If prompted, allow camera and microphone access.
  2. Select the content that you want to show and press Share. What the chat members can see will be displayed on the left.
  3. To end screen sharing, press .

To learn more about screen sharing, go to Yandex Telemost help:

Recording a group call

You can record group calls in the web version of Yandex Messenger and in the Yandex Messenger desktop application on Windows and macOS. To start recording:

  1. During the call, click  → Start recording.
  2. When someone starts recording, all members will get a notification. Multiple members can record a meeting at the same time.
  3. To stop recording, click Stop.

To learn more about recording group calls, go to Yandex Telemost help:

“Picture-in-picture” mode

Note

Available in Yandex Messenger app on devices running on Android 8.0 and later and iOS 14.1 and later.

In the picture-in-picture mode (PIP), the call window get smaller and floats on top of other apps. You can drag it to a convenient spot. PIP mode is enabled by default. To display the call window in PIP mode, tap the chat icon in the upper-left corner.

In the picture-in-picture mode (PIP), the call window will resize to a mini window floating on top of the Yandex Messenger app. You can drag it to a convenient spot. PIP mode is enabled by default. To display the call window in PIP mode, tap the chat icon in the upper-left corner.

Questions and issues

I can't make or answer a call
  1. Make sure that your smartphone or computer is connected to the internet. For example, try opening yandex.com. If you're offline, restart the router. If it doesn't help, contact your internet provider.
  2. Log out of Yandex Messenger and then log in again.
  3. Make sure that access to the camera and microphone is allowed in your device's OS settings.
  4. Try selecting a different audio or video device.
  5. If you use Yandex Messenger on a computer running Windows, make sure that no other applications are using the microphone and camera. Otherwise, Yandex Messenger might be unable to access them.

If the problem persists, contact support.

Do I need a SIM card to make calls in Yandex Messenger?

No. You only need internet connection. Yandex Messenger doesn't use your phone number to make calls.

How much internet traffic does a video call use?

On mobile devices, the average traffic usage during a video call ranges between 300 MB and 1.5 GB. It depends on the connection quality, screen resolution, and other factors. Desktop apps use more traffic. You can ask your provider for details.

There's no sound or it's too quiet

Check the sound level during a regular phone call. Adjust the volume. If you can't hear the other person, ask them if their microphone is on and working correctly.

I can't receive incoming calls

Check the Yandex Messenger privacy settings. Calls from certain users may be blocked.

Contact support
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