How to make Instagram video calls
To start a video chat, swipe right into the Direct section of the app and open the message thread for the friend you want to video call.
Then tap the new camera icon at the top right and you’ll start ringing your mate.
You can video call anyone (or group) you have an active Direct messaging thread with.
And when you’re done chatting, just tap the red phone icon at the bottom to end the call.
You can also minimise the video while face timing someone so that you can check what others are up to on your Instagram feeds and share photos and messages.
To customise the experience, tap the gear icon on your profile page to fiddle with notifications and block or mute anyone you don’t want bothering you.
As part of the video barrage – don’t forget IGTV, Instagram’s YouTube rival for longer clips, launched last week – the app is also adding new camera effects to let you jazz up your clips and selfies.
The Augmented reality effects are more of the same sparkly graphics and face filters we’ve grown accustomed to on Snapchat and Instagram, only this new batch come from celebs, influencers, brands and publishers.
So basically people Instagram can squeeze money out of.
If you follow the likes of Ariana Grande, Buzzfeed, Liza Koshy, Baby Ariel and the NBA, you’ll see the new looks in your Instagram camera by tapping the face icon at the bottom right.
Rounding out the update is a tweak to your Explore tab – the section of the app where Instagram shows you an endless feed of posts you’ll like.