# Joining a call ## Starting or joining a call ### Browser and Talk Desktop client When you are part of a conversation and have permission to do so, you can start a call at any time by clicking `Start call` in the top bar. When a call is already in progress, join it by clicking the green `Join call` button in the chat area or the top bar. ![Talk conversation with a green Join call button](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/join-call.png) > **提示** > > If you have not yet given permission to the browser or the Talk Desktop client to use your microphone and camera, you will be prompted to do so when you click `Start call` or `Join call`. Choose the microphone and camera you would like to use and click `Allow` to grant access to your devices. You will see the `Check devices` dialog, where you can customise your call experience: ![Talk Check devices dialog before joining a call](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-initial.png) #### Controlling audio and video Use the microphone and camera icons at the bottom of the video preview to mute or unmute your microphone and enable or disable your camera before joining. > **提示** > > If one or both of your icons are greyed out, you either do not have a microphone or camera installed, or you did not give permission to the browser or Talk Desktop client to use your microphone or camera. Check that you have granted permission to the browser or Talk Desktop client, and make sure your microphone and camera are not in use by another application. Device settings allow you to choose which microphone and camera you want to use. This is useful if you have more than one microphone or camera available: ![Talk Check devices dialog showing microphone and camera device selection](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-devices.png) #### Noise suppression Enable noise suppression to reduce background noise during calls with following steps: 1. Open the `Check devices` dialog before or during a call 2. Locate the `Microphone settings` section 3. Enable `Noise suppression` at desired level Auto-gain control and echo cancellation options are also available in the same section. ![Talk Check devices dialog showing microphone options](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-noise-suppression.png) #### Backgrounds Backgrounds let you replace your video background with one of the predefined images. You can also upload your own image or choose one already in Nextcloud Files. Alternatively, choose the `blur` option to blur your live video background. ![Talk Check devices dialog showing virtual background and blur options for video](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-backgrounds.png) #### Immediately join a call If you wish to skip the `Check devices` dialog in the future, toggle the `Skip device preview before joining a call` switch in app settings. For future calls in this conversation, you will join directly, skipping the preview dialog. #### Record a call If you started the call and wish to record it, check the `Start recording immediately with the call` checkbox. The call recording option might not be available to you, depending on whether your system administrators have enabled this option and whether you have `Moderator` permission for the conversation. If you are joining and the call is being recorded, you might be required to consent before being allowed to join. For more information, see [Call recording](/link/847). #### Start the call Click the `Start call` button at the bottom of the `Check devices` dialog to notify all conversation participants of the call. If you do not want to notify the other participants, start a silent call by opening the three-dot menu to the left of the `Start call` button and choosing `Start call silently`. ![Talk Start call silently option in the Check devices dialog](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-silent-call.png) ![Talk confirmation step for calling without sending a notification](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings-silent-call-2.png) > **提示** > > Other participants can modify notifications on a per-conversation level, including whether they want to receive call notifications. Your user status will be set to `In a call` and your user status icon will display the speech bubble emoji. ### Mobile clients When you are part of a conversation and have permission to do so, you can start a call at any time by tapping the `Phone` or `Video` icon in the top bar. The `Phone` icon starts a voice-only call; the `Video` icon starts a video call. A voice call uses the device microphone and earpiece, like a regular phone call. A video call uses the loudspeaker in hands-free mode and enables your front-facing camera by default; you can disable it at any time. If someone else starts a call, you may receive a notification and your device may ring or vibrate, depending on your notification settings. Tap `Phone` or `Video` to join, or tap the red button to decline. Declining dismisses the call notification on that device. You can control your microphone and camera (if in a video call) with the options shown at the bottom of the screen. Your user status will be set to `In a call` and your user status icon will display a speech bubble. ## During a call After you join a call, you will see the call view. It shows the video feeds of all participants currently in the call, with additional information and controls. ![Talk active call view showing participant video feeds](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/during-a-call-details.png) The leftmost element shows the elapsed call time. Next to it, you will see the number of participants that have joined the current call. Clicking the number opens the right sidebar and shows the list of participants. Participants that have joined the call will be listed first. You will also see each participant's talking time if they have spoken during the call: ![Talk active call showing talking time indicator for each participant](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/participant-talk-time.png) You can access additional call options and settings from the three-dot menu in the top bar. ![Talk in-call three-dot menu for additional settings and options](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/media-settings.png) ### Set up breakout rooms Breakout rooms allow you to divide a call into smaller groups for more focused discussions. Depending on your permissions and how your instance is configured, this option may not be available to you. For more information, see [Breakout rooms](/link/855). ### Download call participants list You can download the list of participants in a call from the three-dot menu in the top bar. This downloads a CSV file with the names and email addresses of all participants. ![Talk in-call menu showing download participants list option](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/download-participants-list.png) The CSV file contains the following columns: - **Name**: The name of the participant. - **Email**: The email address of the participant. - **Type**: Indicates whether the participant is a registered user or a guest. - **Identifier**: Unique identifier for the participant. ### Controlling audio and video Bottom bar of the call view offers media controls, layout settings and other features you can use during a call. ![Talk active call bottom bar showing media controls and layout settings](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/during-a-call-controls.png) Use the microphone and camera icons to mute/unmute your microphone and enable/disable your camera. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts `M` to mute/unmute your microphone and `V` to enable/disable your camera. Use `Space` for push-to-talk: holding space temporarily unmutes you while muted, or temporarily mutes you while unmuted. ### Reactions The reactions button lets you send an emoji reaction to all participants in the call. ![Talk active call reactions panel with emoji options](https://docs.cocobook.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-10/call-reactions.png) Every participant will see the emoji rising from the bottom of their call screen. The emoji disappears after two seconds. #### Raise hand Clicking `Raise hand` will notify moderators and show an icon next to your name. This is also available via the keyboard shortcut `R`. #### Full screen Resizes your browser window or the Talk Desktop client to full-screen mode. Also available via the keyboard shortcut `F`. Press `Esc` to return to the regular view.