Audio & Video Calling

Sometimes written messages aren't enough to convey complex ideas, provide detailed feedback, or build a personal connection. Opengates offers built-in voice and video calling so you can have real-time conversations with clients, freelancers, and team members — all without leaving the platform.

Opengates calling is powered by Azure Communication Services, the same enterprise-grade technology that powers Microsoft Teams. This means you get reliable, high-quality calls with minimal latency and robust security, whether you're on a mobile device or a desktop computer.

Getting Started with Calls

Making and receiving calls on Opengates is straightforward. You don't need to install any additional software, plugins, or apps — calling works directly within the Opengates platform.

Making a Voice Call

1. Open a conversation with the person you want to call (either a direct message or a group chat).
2. Look for the phone icon (🔊) at the top of the conversation window.
3. Tap or click the phone icon to initiate a voice call.
4. The other person will receive a call notification with the option to accept or decline the call.
5. Once they accept, the call begins. You'll see a call interface with controls for muting, adjusting volume, and ending the call.

Making a Video Call

1. Open a conversation with the person you want to call.
2. Look for the video camera icon (📹) at the top of the conversation window, next to the phone icon.
3. Tap or click the video camera icon to initiate a video call.
4. The other person will receive a call notification indicating it's a video call.
5. Once they accept, you'll see their video feed and they'll see yours. You can toggle your camera on and off at any time during the call.

Receiving a Call

When someone calls you on Opengates, you'll receive a notification — either a pop-up notification in the app, a push notification on your phone, or a browser notification on the web. The notification will show:

• The name of the person calling you.
• Whether it's a voice call or a video call.
• Accept and Decline buttons.

If you miss a call, you'll see a missed call notification in your messages with the caller, and you can easily call them back.

Call Requirements

To ensure the best calling experience, make sure your setup meets these requirements:

Internet Connection

• Minimum speed: At least 1 Mbps upload and 1 Mbps download for voice calls. For video calls, we recommend at least 3 Mbps upload and 3 Mbps download.
• Connection type: Wi-Fi or a strong mobile data connection (4G/LTE or 5G). Avoid using calls on slow or unstable connections, as this can cause audio dropouts, video freezing, and delays.
• Wired connections: If possible, use a wired Ethernet connection for the most stable experience (applicable on desktop/laptop).

Device Requirements

On Mobile (iOS/Android):

• The Opengates app installed and updated to the latest version.
• Microphone permission granted to the Opengates app.
• Camera permission granted (for video calls).
• A reasonably modern device (manufactured within the last 5 years for best performance).

On Web (Desktop/Laptop):

• A modern web browser: Google Chrome (recommended), Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari.
• A working microphone (built-in or external).
• A working webcam (for video calls; built-in or external).
• Browser permissions granted for microphone and camera access.

Permissions Setup

The first time you make or receive a call, your browser or device will ask you to grant permissions for microphone and camera access. It's important to allow these permissions; otherwise, the call won't work properly.

On Mobile:

1. Go to your device's Settings.
2. Find Opengates in the app list.
3. Ensure Microphone and Camera permissions are set to Allow.

On Web:

1. When prompted by your browser, click Allow for microphone and camera access.
2. If you accidentally denied permission, click the lock icon or info icon in your browser's address bar and change the permissions to Allow.

Screen Sharing

Screen sharing is one of the most useful features of video calls on Opengates. It allows you to share your screen with the other participants so they can see exactly what you're seeing.

How to Share Your Screen

1. During a video or voice call, look for the Screen Share button in the call controls. It's usually represented by a monitor icon with an arrow.
2. Tap or click the Screen Share button.
3. Your device will ask you what you want to share:
   • Entire screen: Shares everything visible on your screen.
   • Application window: Shares only a specific application (e.g., your browser, a design tool, or a code editor).
   • Browser tab (web only): Shares a specific browser tab.
4. Select your preferred option and confirm.
5. The other call participants will now see your shared screen in real time.

When to Use Screen Sharing

Screen sharing is incredibly versatile. Here are some common use cases for freelancers and clients:

• Design reviews: Walk a client through your design mockups, wireframes, or prototypes in real time, and get immediate feedback.
• Code walkthroughs: Show your code to a client or team member and explain your implementation choices.
• Bug demonstrations: When reporting a bug, share your screen to show exactly what's happening and help the developer reproduce the issue.
• Presentations: Present project proposals, progress reports, or final deliverables in a professional, engaging way.
• Tutorials: Teach a client how to use a tool, dashboard, or system that you've built for them.
• Collaborative editing: Work together on documents, spreadsheets, or other files in real time.

Stopping Screen Sharing

To stop sharing your screen, click the Stop Sharing button that appears in the call controls or in a floating toolbar on your screen. Only you can stop your own screen sharing — other participants cannot stop it for you.

Call Controls

During a call, you have access to several controls:

Group Calls

You can make calls with multiple participants using group chats. When you start a call from a group chat, all members of the group will be notified and can join the call.

How to Start a Group Call

1. Open the group chat you want to call.
2. Tap the phone icon (for voice) or video camera icon (for video) at the top of the group chat.
3. All group members will receive a notification that a call has started.
4. Members can join the call at any time by tapping the Join button in the notification or in the group chat.

Group Call Tips

• Mute when not speaking: In group calls, background noise from multiple participants can be very distracting. Make it a habit to mute yourself when you're not actively talking.
• Use video selectively: If bandwidth is limited, having too many video feeds active at once can degrade call quality. Consider turning off video when it's not necessary.
• Designate a facilitator: For productive group calls, have one person lead the discussion to keep things organized and on track.

Call Quality Tips

Getting the best audio and video quality requires a combination of good equipment, a stable internet connection, and proper environment setup. Here are our top tips:

Audio Quality

• Use a headset: Earbuds or a headset with a built-in microphone provide much better audio quality than your device's built-in speakers and microphone. They also reduce echo and feedback.
• Find a quiet space: Background noise (traffic, construction, other people talking) can make it hard for the other person to hear you. Find a quiet room or use noise-cancelling headphones.
• Position your microphone correctly: If using an external microphone, position it about 6-12 inches from your mouth. Too close and it will pick up pops and breathing; too far and your voice will sound distant.
• Close unnecessary apps: Other apps using your internet connection (streaming video, downloading files) can compete for bandwidth and affect call quality.

Video Quality

• Good lighting: Position yourself facing a light source (like a window or desk lamp). Avoid having bright lights behind you, as this will make you appear as a dark silhouette.
• Stable camera: Place your device on a stable surface or use a tripod/stand. A shaky camera is distracting and can cause motion blur.
• Clean your lens: Especially on mobile devices, camera lenses can get smudged. A quick wipe with a soft cloth can dramatically improve your video quality.
• Frame yourself properly: Position the camera at eye level and center yourself in the frame. The other person should be able to see your face and shoulders comfortably.

Connection Quality

• Use Wi-Fi over mobile data when possible, as it typically provides a more stable connection.
• Stay close to your router: If you're on Wi-Fi, being too far from your router can weaken the signal and cause connectivity issues.
• Close bandwidth-heavy apps: Streaming services, large downloads, and cloud syncing can all compete for bandwidth.
• Consider a wired connection: If you're on a desktop or laptop and have access to an Ethernet cable, a wired connection is always more reliable than Wi-Fi.

Calling on Mobile vs Web

Opengates calling works on both the mobile app and the web version, but there are some differences to be aware of:

Mobile App (iOS/Android)

• Push notifications for incoming calls: You'll receive call notifications even when the app is in the background or your screen is locked.
• Switch between cameras: Easily switch between front-facing and rear-facing cameras during a video call.
• Speakerphone mode: Toggle between earpiece and speaker modes.
• Bluetooth support: Connect Bluetooth headphones or speakers for audio.
• Screen sharing limitations: Screen sharing on mobile may require additional permissions and may share your entire screen (including notifications). Some devices may not support mobile screen sharing.

Web App (Desktop/Laptop)

• Larger screen: Video calls on a larger screen provide a better viewing experience, especially for screen sharing and group calls.
• Browser notifications: Incoming call notifications require browser notification permissions to be enabled.
• Application-level screen sharing: You can choose to share your entire screen, a specific application window, or a specific browser tab — providing more flexibility and privacy.
• Multiple monitors: If you have multiple monitors, you can choose which one to share.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Some call controls may have keyboard shortcuts for quick access.

Syncing Between Devices

If you start a call on one device, you can continue it on another. For example, if you answered a call on your phone but need to switch to your laptop for screen sharing, you can transfer the call seamlessly. The exact process may vary, so look for the Switch Device option in the call controls.

Call Etiquette

Professional call behavior reflects well on you and creates a better experience for everyone:

• Be punctual: If you've scheduled a call, join on time. Being late wastes the other person's time and can leave a negative impression.
• Test your setup beforehand: If you haven't made a call on Opengates before, do a quick test call to make sure your microphone, camera, and internet are working properly.
• Introduce yourself: If it's your first call with someone, start with a brief introduction.
• Mute when not speaking: This is especially important in group calls to minimize background noise.
• Be present: Avoid multitasking during calls. Give the other person your full attention.
• Summarize action items: At the end of a call, quickly summarize what was discussed and any next steps. Follow up with a written message in the chat.

Still need help? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to assist you.