Making a Call on Snapchat

To call someone on Snapchat, open the app and find the person in your contacts or recent chats. Tap their name to open the conversation, then look for the phone icon (for voice calls) or camera icon (for video calls) at the top of the chat. Tap whichever icon matches what you want to do. The other person will see an incoming call notification and can accept or decline.

Snapchat calls work over WiFi or mobile data — they do not use your phone's regular calling minutes. Both people need to have Snapchat installed and be connected to the internet for the call to go through.

Key Takeaways

  • Voice and video calls on Snapchat start from an open chat by tapping the phone or camera icon at the top of the screen.
  • Both the caller and the person being called must have Snapchat installed and an active internet connection.
  • Snapchat calls do not use your phone plan's minutes — they use data instead.
  • If someone does not answer within a set time, the call will end and you can try again or send a message instead.
  • You can only call people who are already in your Snapchat contacts or recent chats.

Voice Calls vs. Video Calls on Snapchat

Voice calls let you hear the other person but not see them. Tap the phone icon at the top of the chat. This uses less data than video and works better on slower connections. The other person hears your voice through their speaker or headphones.

Video calls show both of you on screen at the same time. Tap the camera icon instead. Video calls use more data and battery, but let you see facial expressions and show the other person what is around you. If your phone is low on battery or your connection is slow, a voice call may work better.

What Happens When You Call Someone

When you tap the call icon, Snapchat sends a notification to the other person's phone. They see your name and a choice to accept or decline the call. If they accept, the call connects and you can start talking or video chatting right away.

If the other person does not answer within about one minute, the call ends automatically. You will see a message saying the call was missed. You can try calling again or send them a chat message to ask if they are available.

If the other person declines the call, you will see that too. They may be busy, have their phone on silent, or straightforward not want to talk at that moment. Sending a message is usually a better next step than calling again right away.

Internet and Data Requirements

Snapchat calls need an active internet connection on both phones. This can be WiFi or mobile data — it does not matter which. If either person loses their connection during a call, the call will drop.

Voice calls use less data than video calls. A typical voice call uses about 0.3 to 0.5 megabytes per minute. Video calls use roughly 2 to 4 megabytes per minute, depending on the quality and how many people are on the call. If you are on a limited data plan, voice calls are the safer choice.

Calling People You Do Not Have in Contacts

You can only call people who are already your Snapchat friends or who appear in your recent chats. You cannot call a stranger or someone who has not added you back. If you want to call someone new, you must add them as a friend first and wait for them to accept.

Once they accept your friend request, their name will appear in your contacts and you can call them. If someone has blocked you or removed you as a friend, you will not be able to call them until that changes.

Troubleshooting Common Call Problems

If a call will not go through, check that both phones have an active internet connection. Restart Snapchat on both devices and try again. If the problem continues, restart your phone itself.

If the other person cannot hear you, check that your phone's microphone is not muted or blocked. Look at the top of the call screen — there should be a microphone icon. If it has a line through it, tap it to turn the microphone back on. On video calls, you can also mute and unmute yourself the same way.

If the call quality is poor or keeps dropping, move closer to your WiFi router or switch from mobile data to WiFi. Snapchat calls work better on faster, more stable connections. If you are in an area with weak signal, a voice call may work better than video.

Group Calls on Snapchat

Snapchat also lets you call multiple people at once. Start a voice or video call with one person, then tap the plus icon during the call to add more friends. Everyone you add will get a notification and can join. Group calls work the same way as one-on-one calls but use more data and battery.

Group video calls show small boxes for each person on the screen. You can mute your microphone or camera the same way you would on a regular call. If the connection is slow, group video calls may lag or freeze — switching to a group voice call can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Snapchat calls?

No. Snapchat calls are free. You only pay for the data they use, which comes out of your regular mobile data plan or your WiFi connection. There are no extra charges from Snapchat itself.

Can I call someone if they have not added me back yet?

No. You can only call people who are already your Snapchat friends. If someone has not accepted your friend request, you cannot call them. Once they accept, the call option will appear in your chat with them.

What if someone keeps calling me and I do not want to talk?

You can decline their call by tapping the X button when the notification appears. If they keep calling, you can remove them as a friend or block them. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and choose the block or remove option.

Can I call someone on Snapchat if they are offline?

No. The other person must be online and have Snapchat open or running in the background for a call to connect. If they are not available, the call will not go through and you will see a missed call notification.

Does Snapchat record calls?

Snapchat does not record calls automatically. If you want to save a call, you would need to use your phone's screen recording feature, but check your local laws first — some places require both people to agree before recording a conversation.