Slack Technologies Inc. introduced voice calls for its enterprise messaging app in March. Now the company has announced that users will be able to make one-on-one and group video calls in the app, a feature it promised when it launched voice calls.

To make group video calls with up to 15 attendees you will need to be on one of Slack’s paid plans. Slack video calling also includes the calls emoji response feature, allowing you to react to what people are saying without having to unmute your microphone and interrupt them.

Slack video calls are rolling out to the latest version of Slack for Mac, Windows desktop apps and Google Chrome. Mobile users will be able to join any ongoing video call, but will be limited to sharing and receiving audio.

How to make video calls on Slack

You can make Slack calls from a direct message or a channel.

Direct message: In a direct message > click the phone icon > click the camera button to turn it into a video call.

Channel: Open a channel > click the phone icon > confirm that you want to start a call and name the call (optional) > click “Start new call.” Your call will be posted to the channel and any team member, up to 15 people, can join by clicking “Join this call.” Click the camera button to turn it into a video call.

Tip: There are also various slash commands available to start a call quicker. Use /call @[username] to call a teammate or /call #[channel] to start a call in a channel.

During a video call you can respond with various emojis, some with a subtle sound, that will show up by your video image.

Invite others to a call

If you are on one of Slack’s paid plans you can share calls and invite others to join an existing call. Click the “+” icon in the top-right corner > start typing the name of a team member > select the relevant person you want to invite.

You can also share a call in other channels. Click the “Share call” icon in the top left corner of the call window > click the arrow and select a channel from the drop-down menu > click Share.

Use a third-party app to make voice and video calls on Slack

Slack Calls are turned on by default for all Slack teams. Team owners and administrators can choose to use a third-party app for voice and video calls or can opt to remove the phone icon completely.

Select a third-party app for calls

Select and install a calling app from the options below:

• Appear.in: Download and install appear.in, the app supports up to eight participants.
• Blue Jeans: Download and install Blue Jeans, you will need to sign up for a free or paid Blue Jeans’ account.
• Google+ Hangouts: Download and install Google Hangouts.
• Room: Download and install Room.
• Screenhero: Download and install Screenhero, available for paid Slack teams only.
• Skype: Down and install Skype, supports up to 10 team members on a video call and 25 on a voice call.
• Zoom: Download and install Zoom, you will need a paid Zoom account is required.

Set the app as your team’s default call app in Slack

In your Team Settings page > click Expand next to Calls > make sure the box next “Enable calling in Slack” is checked > select the relevant third-party app from the drop-down menu > click Save.

Disable Slack Calls completely

Go to the Team Settings page > click Expand next to Calls > uncheck the box next to “Enable calling in Slack” > click Save.

Source: Slack Help Center

Images via Slack