Audio and video calls

Calls are available in one-on-one chats:

In the Yandex Messenger app for PCs running on Windows or macOS.
In the web version of Yandex Messenger on your PC: 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 later.

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-facing 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:

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

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

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

Access to 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 later in the app settings.

Allow access in the settings

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

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

Allow access in the settings

Open the device settings.
Select Yandex Messenger in the list of apps.
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

Camera access:

Click → → Privacy.
In the menu on the left, select Camera.
Make sure that the Allow apps to access your camera option is turned on in the settings.
Make sure that the Camera option is turned on in the list of apps that can access the camera.

Microphone access:

Click → → Privacy.
In the menu on the left, select Microphone.
Make sure that the Allow apps to access your microphone option is turned on in the settings.
Make sure that the Voice Recorder option is turned on in the list of apps that can access the microphone.

Tip. Also make sure the Chats application is added to the antivirus exceptions.

macOS

In the system settings, make sure the Chats application has:

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 later in the app settings.

Select a browser

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

Windows 10

Camera access:

Click → → Privacy.
In the menu on the left, select Camera.
Make sure that the Allow apps to access your camera option is turned on in the settings.
Make sure that the Camera option is turned on in the list of apps that can access the camera.

Microphone access:

Click → → Privacy.
In the menu on the left, select Microphone.
Make sure that the Allow apps to access your microphone option is turned on in the settings.
Make sure that the Voice Recorder option is turned on in the list of apps that can access the microphone.

Tip. Also make sure the Chats application is added to the antivirus exceptions.

macOS

Check whether the browser in which you're using Yandex Messenger has:

Start and end a call

Make a call using one of the following way:

In the chat list, long tap the chat card. In the menu that appears, select Call or Video call.
Open a private chat and press at the top.
On the chat screen, tap the message with the call status (for example, if you missed the call).
In the chat, tap → Contact information and select Call or Video call.

Start a call in one of the following ways:

Open a private chat and tap at the top.
In the chat, tap → Chat info and select Call or Video call.

Make a call using one of the following way:

In the chat list, right-click on the name of the chat. In the menu that appears, select Voice call or Video call.
Open a private chat and press at the top.

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

Managing calls


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Selecting a camera. Tap to switch between the rear and front-facing camera.
	Minimize the call window and open the chat with the person you're talking to. To return to full screen mode, tap the minimized call window or the Return to call link.
	Speakerphone is disabled. Tap to enable speakerphone or switch audio to headphones.
	Speakerphone is enabled. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or headphones.
	Audio is transmitted to wireless headphones. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or to enable speakerphone.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Selecting a camera. Tap to switch between the rear and front-facing camera.
	Minimize the call window and open the chat with the person you're talking to. To return to full screen mode, tap the minimized call window or the Return to call link.
	Speakerphone is disabled. Tap to enable speakerphone or switch audio to headphones.
	Speakerphone is enabled. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or headphones.
	Audio is transmitted to wireless headphones. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or to enable speakerphone.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Selecting a camera. Tap to switch between the rear and front-facing camera.
	Minimize the call window and open the chat with the person you're talking to. To return to full screen mode, tap the minimized call window.
	Speakerphone is disabled. Tap to enable speakerphone or switch audio to headphones.
	Speakerphone is enabled. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or headphones.
	Audio is transmitted to wireless headphones. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or to enable speakerphone.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Tap to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Tap to disable it.
	Selecting a camera. Tap to switch between the rear and front-facing camera.
	Minimize the call window and open the chat with the person you're talking to. To return to full screen mode, tap the minimized call window.
	Speakerphone is disabled. Tap to enable speakerphone or switch audio to headphones.
	Speakerphone is enabled. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or headphones.
	Audio is transmitted to wireless headphones. Tap to switch audio to your mobile device's speaker or to enable speakerphone.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Click to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Click to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Expand your chat partner's video to full screen.
	Minimize your chat partner's video.
	Open or close a chat.
	End a call.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Click to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Click to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Expand your chat partner's video to full screen.
	Minimize your chat partner's video.
	Open or close a chat.
	End a call.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Click to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Click to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Expand your chat partner's video to full screen.
	Minimize your chat partner's video.
	Open or close a chat.
	Share your screen. You can share a program window, a browser tab, or the entire screen. To learn more, see Screen sharing.
	Screen sharing is enabled. Click to disable it.
	End a call.


Element	Action
	The microphone is disabled. Click to enable it.
	The microphone is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Video is disabled. Click to enable it.
	Video is enabled. Click to disable it.
	Expand your chat partner's video to full screen.
	Minimize your chat partner's video.
	Open or close a chat.
	Share your screen. You can share a program window, a browser tab, or the entire screen. To learn more, see Screen sharing.
	Screen sharing is enabled. Click to disable it.
	End a call.

Share screen

Screen sharing only works in the desktop application and the web version of Yandex Messenger in Yandex Browser, Google Chrome, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox. To start sharing the screen:

Click in the upper-right corner of the call window. If the browser requests access to the camera or microphone, allow it.
Select which screen elements you want to show and click Share. In the left part of the window, you'll see the image that your chat partners will see.
To end screen sharing, click in the upper-right corner.

“Picture-in-picture” mode

Note. This mode is available in the app on devices running on Android 8.0 and higher.

In the “picture-in-picture” mode (PIP), the call window will resize to a mini window floating on top of other apps. You can drag it across the screen to a convenient spot. PIP mode is enabled by default.

Open the call window in PIP mode

If the call window is minimized, open it in full-screen mode (tap ).
Tap Home on your device.

Close the call window in PIP mode

Tap in the upper-right corner.

To return to full screen mode, tap the minimized call window or the Return to call link.

Disable PIP mode for Yandex Messenger

Open the device settings.
Go to Apps & notifications.
Choose Special app access → Picture-in-picture → Yandex Messenger.

Ratings

When you end the conversation, Yandex Messenger offers you to rate the call and share technical details. We collect them to improve call quality.

Questions and issues

I can't make or answer a call

Make sure that your smartphone or computer is connected to the internet. For example, try opening the ya.com website. If you're offline, restart the router. If it doesn't help, contact your internet provider.
Log out of Yandex Messenger, and then log in again.
Make sure that access to the camera and microphone is allowed in your device's OS settings.
Try changing the device for audio and video capture.
If you use Yandex Messenger on a Windows computer, make sure that no other applications use the microphone and camera. If so, they may not be available for Yandex Messenger.

If the problem persists, contact support.

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

No. You only need an active internet connection. Yandex Messenger doesn't use your linked 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.

The sound is quiet or missing.

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

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