Instagram adds group video call, new camera effects to app: How they work

Instagram, a photo-sharing social media platform owned by Facebook, on June 26 announced a new update that introduces the video chat feature and new camera effects for stories to the app. The new video chat feature enables app users to chat and make video calls, even group video calls, from the Direct. Here is how the new features work:

Video chat

Now, you can video chat in Instagram Direct, either with just one person or a group. To start a video chat, go to Direct inbox and open any message thread. Tap on the new camera icon, in the right corner, and your friends’ phones will ring. While on the video chat, you can minimise the video and multitask on Instagram to send messages and photos in Direct, browse feed and post a story.

The group video chat feature currently allows four people in a group to take part in the chat. You can video-chat with anyone you have an active Direct thread with. If you block a person, they will no longer be able to video-chat you. You can also mute a person if you do not want to receive notifications from them. To update your video-chat notifications, tap the gear icon on profile and find the new video chat control in Push Notifications.

Camera effects for stories

The Instagram camera has also been updated with new camera effects designed by Ariana Grande, Buzzfeed, Liza Koshy, Baby Ariel and NBA. However, the new effects would be shown to users who follow any of these accounts. If you are not a follower but you see an effect that you love, you can tap to try it on and add it to your camera.

Starting today, the above-mentioned features, along with redesigned explorer feed, are available as an update for Android and iOS devices.