Make calls in Slack
When you need to talk things out with a teammate on the fly, you can use Slack calls to make a voice or video call to anyone in your workspace.
Note: Slack calls can only be used to make calls within Slack to other members of your workspace, and members from external organizations you’re sharing channels with.
What to expect
- On any plan, a member can start a call with at least one other member from a direct message (DM).
- A workspace must be on one of Slack's paid plans to start a call from a group DM or a channel.
- Video calls are only available on your desktop.
- Calls can have a maximum of 15 participants.
- If a Workspace Owner or Admin has set a default calling app for your workspace, your call may start in another app.
Tip: For a list of keyboard shortcuts you can use when making calls, visit Slack calls: the basics.
Start a call
Desktop
iOS
Android
From a direct message
- Open a DM and click the phone icon in the top right corner.
- Your call will start right away and the member you're calling will receive a pop-up notification.
- You can click the camera icon to switch to a video call in a DM with one other person on the free version of Slack. If your workspace is on the Standard, Plus, or Enterprise Grid plan, you can use video and share your screen in 1:1 or group DMs.
Note: If the member you're calling has Do Not Disturb on, they'll see a missed call notification in the direct message.
From a channel
- Open a channel and click the details icon in the top right.
- Click Call, then select Start Call to confirm.
- Slack will post a message to the channel. Up to 15 members can join by clicking the Join button.
- If your workspace is on the Standard, Plus, or Enterprise Grid plan, you can click the camera icon to switch to a video call and share your screen once your call starts.
From a direct message
- Open a DM and tap the details icon in the top right.
- Tap Call [member’s name].
From a channel
- Open a channel and tap the details icon in the top right.
- Tap Start a Call.
- Choose a name for your call if you'd like. Then, tap Start.
From a direct message
- Open a DM and tap the details icon in the top right.
- Tap Start a call.
From a channel
- Open a channel and tap the details icon in the top right.
- Tap Start a call.
- Choose a name for your call if you'd like. Then, tap Start.
Tip: Type the /call slash command into the message field in a conversation and send the message to start a call.
Invite others to a call
If your workspace is on the Standard, Plus, or Enterprise Grid plan, you can invite others to join a call you’re already participating in.
Desktop
iOS
Android
On desktop, you can invite members directly from the call you’re on, or share a link to the call by sending it in a channel or DM.
Invite other members to a call
- Click the Invite icon in the top left corner of the call window.
- Search for and select the members you’d like to invite to the call.
- Click Invite.
Share a call link
- Click the Invite icon in the top left corner of the call window.
- Click Copy Link (you'll see this below Or get a link to this call).
- Share the call link by sending a message to a channel or DM.
- From the call you're on, tap the Invite icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap the names of the people you'd like to invite to the call.
- Tap Invite.
- From the call you're on, tap the Invite icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap the names of the people you'd like to invite to the call.
- Tap Invite.
Join a call
Answer a call in a DM
Desktop
iOS
Android
When another member calls you in a direct message, you’ll see a pop-up call notification. Tap the phone icon (or slide the arrow icon if your screen is locked) to answer the call.
- Tap Answer from a call's pop-up notification or on the call message posted in a DM.
- Tap the phone icon.
Join a channel call
Desktop
iOS
Android
- Click Join from the in-channel invitation. A call window will open where you can see who else is on the call and who is speaking.
- If your workspace is on the Standard, Plus, or Enterprise Grid plan, you can click the camera icon to switch to a video call and share your screen.
Tip: To always join calls with your audio muted, click your profile picture in the top right, and select Preferences, then Advanced. Below When joining a Slack call, check the box next to Mute my microphone.
Note: If you ever need extra help with Slack’s call features, visit Troubleshoot Slack calls.