July 19, 2026
How to video call your grandchildren (FaceTime and WhatsApp)
It’s often THE reason people decide to tame their tablet: seeing the children and grandchildren, even when they live far away. Two apps cover almost every family: FaceTime (already installed on iPhone and iPad) and WhatsApp (free and hugely popular, including with family in Europe or elsewhere).
With FaceTime (iPhone and iPad)
- Open the FaceTime app (green icon with a camera).
- Tap New FaceTime.
- Type the person’s name (they need to be in your contacts), then tap it.
- Tap the green FaceTime button. It rings — and their face appears!
With WhatsApp (all phones)
- Open WhatsApp and tap the person’s conversation.
- At the top right, tap the little camera.
- Wait for them to answer. To hang up: the red button.
A comfort tip: lean the tablet against something (a book, a stand) instead of holding it at arm’s length — your arms and your picture will both thank you.
Many of our Montreal students have their children in Toronto, Vancouver or Europe, with the time difference that comes with it: the video call quickly becomes the Sunday-morning ritual. If you’d like to try it once without worrying about "doing something wrong", we can do it together at your place — see the neighbourhoods we travel to.
Frequently asked questions
Do these calls cost anything?
No — FaceTime and WhatsApp travel over the internet. At home on your Wi-Fi, it’s included in your internet plan, even when calling abroad.
My grandchildren have Android phones, not iPhones. Does FaceTime work?
FaceTime is mainly for Apple devices. In a mixed family, WhatsApp is the simplest choice: it works on everything.
Want to go further?
We’ll walk you through all of this in person, at home, at your pace — and the first lesson is free. We travel across the island of Montreal, from the Plateau to Rivière-des-Prairies.
Book my free lesson