The M8Chat app

Voice and video calls.

Call someone from inside a chat. Their phone shows the call, and they tap Answer.

Use this guide when

  • You want to talk to someone, or a group, instead of typing.
  • Someone is calling you and you want to answer.

Calls use the same technology as Element, so you can call people who use either app. Calls are end-to-end encrypted. Your browser asks to use your microphone and camera the first time. Tap “Allow”.

  1. Step 1

    Start a call

    Open a chat and tap “Voice call” or “Video call”. Voice calls start with your camera off. Video calls start with it on. In a chat with one other person, their device rings. In a group chat, the call opens for everyone and people join when they are ready.

  2. Step 2

    Answer a call

    When someone calls you and the app is open, a full screen shows who is calling and whether it is a voice or video call. Tap “Answer” to join, or “Decline” to turn it down. The screen goes away by itself if nobody answers.

    If the app is closed, you see a phone notice instead. Tap it to open the app, and the call screen appears if the caller is still ringing.

  3. Step 3

    Choose how it rings

    Tap “Account”, then “When someone calls me”. You can follow your phone, play your own ringtone in the app, or show the screen only. See Notifications and ringing.

  4. Step 4

    Leave when you are done

    Tap “Leave call” at the top, or “End call” in the call controls. You go back to the chat.

Good to know

  • Ringing needs notifications. To hear about calls when the app is closed, turn on notifications. The notice says “You have a new message or call.” because the notice never carries message details.
  • A web app cannot take over a locked screen. It cannot ring like the phone app that came with your phone. It shows a notice and rings when you open it.
  • Silent phones. The app cannot read your phone silent switch. With the default setting, the call is a phone notice, and your phone decides if it makes a sound.

If something goes wrong

The call does not open

Check your internet, and that you allowed the microphone and camera in your browser. Then go back to the chat and tap the call button again.

The other person did not get a ring

Ask them to open the app and check Account, Calls and notifications. Notifications must be on, and their ring setting should not be “Screen only”. The ring lasts about a minute and a half.

People cannot hear me

Check the microphone is not muted in the call toolbar, and that the browser has permission to use it.

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