How to Do a Conference Call on Android

Conference calls allow multiple people to participate in the same phone or video call.

This allows effective communication and collaboration for business meetings, group projects, remote classes and more.

Modern Android devices make it easy to set up or join conference calls using various apps.

Preparing for an Android Conference Call

Before you initiate a conference call on your Android device, make sure that:

• Your device is updated with the latest Android OS version
• You have a stable WiFi or mobile data connection
• Your camera, microphone and speakers are working properly
• The conference call app is installed on your device with the latest updates
• Your device battery is adequately charged or plugged into a charger

Choosing a Conference Call App

Some popular Android apps that allow conference calls include:

• Google Meet
• Zoom
• Skype
• Microsoft Teams
• Cisco Webex
• WhatsApp (audio only)

Evaluate each app based on features, call quality, number of participants allowed, pricing etc. before deciding.

Google Meet and WhatsApp work well for personal use, while Zoom, Teams and Webex have more advanced options for business use.

Initiating a Conference Call

Using Google Meet

Follow these steps to initiate a conference call using the free Google Meet app:

1. Install Google Meet from the Play Store if not already present
2. Open the app and tap on “New meeting”
3. Give permissions for camera and microphone access when prompted
4. Tap on “Add people” and invite participants by sharing the meeting link or code
5. Ask participants to open the shared link on their devices to join the call
6. Manage various call options using in-app controls like mute, screen share etc.

Key Features

• Free app with unlimited meeting duration and participants
• Good call quality with HD video
• Easy invite options via links, calendar integration etc.
• Live captions and call recording available

Using Zoom

Follow these steps to initiate a conference call using the Zoom app:

1. Install Zoom Cloud Meetings app from the Play Store
2. Open app, agree to terms and select a basic free plan
3. Tap on “New Meeting” and enable camera/mic access
4. Tap Participants and invite people by sharing meeting ID, links etc.
5. Manage in-call features like screen share, annotations using the options

Key Features

• Good free plan with 40 minute meeting limit
• Paid plans allow longer duration calls
• Virtual backgrounds, meeting recordings available
• Local recording option to save call data offline

Joining a Conference Call

If someone sends you a meeting invite link to join a conference call, follow these general steps:

1. Open the invite link on your Android device using Chrome or the app
2. Allow microphone, camera and other permissions if prompted
3. Enter meeting ID and your name to join the call
4. Enable/disable camera, mic etc. using the in-app call controls
5. Interact using features like chat, reactions, screen share as available
6. Leave call using the on-screen button when done

Pros and Cons of Android Conference Calls

Pros

• Convenient to set up or join calls using Android apps
• Good audio/video quality subject to internet connectivity
• Feature-rich apps with screen sharing, recording and more
• Easy to collaborate using built-in chat, annotations etc.

Cons

• Can drain device battery life quickly
• Requires reliable WiFi or mobile data connectivity
• Security and privacy concerns with some apps
• Limitations around maximum meeting duration or participants in free versions

Troubleshooting Conference Call Issues

No Audio or Video

If participants cannot hear you or see your video feed, try these steps:

• Check microphone and camera permissions for the app
• Make sure hardware not physically muted/switched off
• Disable call app battery optimizations in Android settings
• Switch between WiFi and mobile data
• Restart the device and rejoin call

Call Disconnections

If call gets disconnected frequently, try these fixes:

• Move closer to WiFi router or areas with better signal
• Limit device multitasking when on call
• Close background apps and browser tabs
• Update Android OS and conferencing apps to latest version
• Switch off battery saver mode for conferencing app

Can I make conference calls using mobile data on Android?

Yes, you can initiate or join conference calls over mobile data on Android devices. However, WiFi is preferred for best call quality and avoiding mobile data charges.

Is Google Meet fully free to use?

The free version of Google Meet allows unlimited calls with up to 100 participants. Some additional features like live streaming require Google Workspace subscription plans.

Can I blur my background on Android conference calls?

Yes, many conferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex and more allow blurring or changing your background while on video calls.