Table of Contents
Introduction
Skype is a popular video calling platform that allows users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues around the world. One of Skype’s key features is the ability to add multiple contacts to the same video call, turning it into a group video chat. This can be useful for both personal and professional video calls.
In this article, we will walk through the entire process of adding contacts to a Skype video call, from start to finish.
Prerequisites
Before you can add contacts to a Skype video call, you need:
- A Skype account
- The Skype app installed on your device
- Existing contacts in your Skype contacts list
- A decent internet connection
If you meet these prerequisites, you are ready to add contacts to a Skype video call.
Step 1: Start a Video Call
To add contacts to a video call, you first need to initiate a new video call:
On Desktop
- Open the Skype app on your computer
- Go to your contacts list
- Hover over the contact you want to video call and click the video camera icon
- Your contact will receive an incoming call notification
On Mobile
- Open the Skype app on your phone or tablet
- Go to your chats or contacts list
- Tap the contact you want to video call
- Select Video call from the menu
- Your contact will receive an incoming call notification
Once your contact accepts the incoming video call, you will be connected on a 1-on-1 video call.
Step 2: Add Contacts to the Call
With the initial 1-on-1 video call underway, you can now add additional contacts:
On Desktop
- In the active video call window, click Add participant
- Select the contacts you want to add from your contacts list
- Click Add
- Selected contacts will receive a call invitation notification to join the video call
On Mobile
- In the active video call, tap your screen to bring up the call menu
- Tap Add participant
- Select the contacts you want to add from your contacts list
- Tap Add next to each contact
- Selected contacts will receive a call invitation notification to join the video call
You can repeat this process to continue adding contacts to the Skype video call until you reach the maximum of 50 participants.
Step 3: Manage Participants
Once you have multiple participants on the video call, you have several options to manage them:
- Mute participants – Mute an individual participant or mute all participants
- Change view – Switch between Grid View, Large Gallery View, and Together Mode
- Remove participants – Remove an individual participant from the call
- Lock call – Prevent additional participants from being added
These controls allow you to manage larger group video calls and customize the experience.
Tips for Adding Group Call Participants
Here are some tips when adding multiple participants to a Skype video call:
- Let participants know you plan to add others to avoid surprises
- Add participants in smaller batches instead of all at once
- Mute participants by default, then unmute to speak
- Use Grid View for calls with 4+ participants
- Ask participants to mute when not speaking to reduce background noise
Following these tips will help make the process of bringing contacts into a group video call smooth and organized.
Troubleshooting Issues
Sometimes issues pop up when trying to add contacts to a Skype video call. Here is how to troubleshoot common problems:
Can’t add participant from contacts list
- Make sure you are using the latest version of Skype
- Check that the contact has an active Skype account
- Ask the contact to sign out and back into Skype
Added participant not joining call
- Ensure the participant has allowed Skype to receive call notifications
- Ask them to restart their device and Skype app
- Have them manually join by entering the active call’s shareable meeting link
Call disconnects when adding participants
- The call may have reached the 50 participant limit
- Try starting a new call and adding fewer participants at once
- Ensure you and other participants have a stable internet connection
Following this troubleshooting guide should help resolve any issues faced when adding contacts to a Skype call.
Conclusion
Adding contacts to a Skype video call turns a standard one-on-one call into a group video chat. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can seamlessly bring multiple contacts into a video call to connect with the important people in your life.
From video calls with friends to team meetings at work, group video chatting opens up more engaging face-to-face connections. Take advantage of Skype’s capabilities to add participants and manage bigger video calls.
So invite some contacts and start a group video call on Skype today!