Video call family for the holidays, with help from AI

3 min readTech help

Seeing faces makes a big difference. AI can walk you through the setup and help when something goes wrong.

Not everyone can be at the table this year. A video call lets you see the grandkids open a present or wave to a cousin across the country. The apps can be confusing the first time, and that's where an AI chat app like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude helps. It can give you steps for your exact phone or tablet, in plain words, as many times as you need.

Step 1: Get steps for your device and app

Tell AI what you have and who you're calling. The family usually picks the app, so ask them which one they use.

Example: "I have an iPhone and my daughter has an Android phone. She says to use WhatsApp. Give me simple numbered steps to make a video call to her, like I've never done it before. Use big, clear words and tell me what each button looks like."

If a step doesn't match your screen, say so: "I don't see that button. I see a green phone and a little camera. What now?"

Step 2: Do a test call the day before

Example: "Make me a short checklist for a test video call the day before Thanksgiving: charging, Wi-Fi, where to prop the phone, light on my face, and how to turn the sound up."

A five-minute practice call with one person takes the worry out of the big day.

Step 3: Fix the common problems

Keep the chat open during the call so you can ask quickly.

Example: "My video call keeps freezing and they can't hear me. I'm on an iPad at home on Wi-Fi. What are the first three things to try, simplest first?"

Other good questions: "They can hear me but can't see me." "I see myself upside down." "How do I switch to the back camera to show the table?"

Step 4: Plan what to talk about

Calls with little kids can go quiet fast. Ask AI for help.

Example: "I'm calling my grandkids, ages 4 and 7, for 15 minutes on Christmas morning. Give me 5 easy questions or little games we can play over video."

Step 5: Help someone else get on the call

Setting it up for a parent who lives far away? Ask AI to write the steps in a short note you can text or print for them.

Example: "Write simple steps my mom can follow on her Android tablet to answer a Google Meet call from a link I text her. Short sentences, one step per line."

Things to know

• AI can't see your screen. Describe what you see, and ask again if a step doesn't match.
• Phones and apps change. If the steps look different, tell AI your phone model and app version (it's in Settings).
• Never share passwords or codes in the chat, and never read a code to a caller who says they're "tech support." Real family won't ask for one.
• Free is fine. Most video call apps are free on Wi-Fi.

Also read: Talk to AI out loud: using voice mode on your phone

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