Making calls in Slack

With Slack Calls, you can make a voice or video call to connect with anyone in your workspace. Keep reading to learn how Slack Calls work, and the subscriptions and devices they're available on.

Note: Owners and admins can set a third-party calling app as a default calling option. If this is the case in your workspace, clicking the  phone icon may start your call in another app.

Heads up! Slack calls will not be available after 29 March, 2023. To have live audio or video conversations with your teammates, try huddles instead.


Calls feature availability

Feature Subscriptions Operating systems
Voice calls

Free subscription

Available in 1:1 direct messages (DMs)

Paid subscriptions

Available in 1:1 DMs, Group DMs and channels

Mac

Windows

Linux

iOS

Android

Video calls

Free subscription

Available in 1:1 DMs

Paid subscriptions

Available in 1:1 DMs, group DMs and channels

Mac

Windows

Linux

iOS

Android

Share your screen

Paid subscriptions

Available in 1:1 DMs, group DMs and channels

Mac

Windows

Linux

Draw on your screen

Paid subscriptions

Available in 1:1 DMs, group DMs and channels

Mac*

Windows*

*Drawing when screen sharing is only available on the Slack apps for Mac and Windows.

Note: Google Chrome is the only browser that supports Slack Calls.


Start a call

If you’re using the free version of Slack, you can start a call in a DM with one other person. If you're using a paid subscription, you can start a call with up to 14 other people in a DM or a channel and share your screen.

Desktop

iOS 

Android

From a DM

  1. Open a DM and click on the member name(s) in the conversation header.
  2. Below the member name(s), select  Start a call.
  3. Your call will start right away and the member(s) you're calling will see a prompt to join the call.

From a channel

  1. Open a channel and click on the channel name in the conversation header.
  2. Below the channel name, select  Start a call.
  3. Slack will post a message to the channel letting others know that you've started a call. Up to 14 people can join the call by clicking Join.

From a DM

  1. Open a DM and tap the member name(s) at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap  Call [member’s name] in a 1:1 DM or Start a call in a group DM.
  3. Your call will start right away and the member(s) that you’re calling will see a prompt to join.


From a channel

  1. Open a channel and tap the channel name at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap  Start a call.
  3. Choose a name for the call if you like, then tap Start.
  4. Slack will post a message in the channel letting others know that you’ve started a call, and up to 14 people can join.

From a DM

  1. Open a DM and tap the member name(s) at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap  Start a call.
  3. Your call will start right away and the member(s) that you’re calling will see a prompt to join.


From a channel

  1. Open a channel and tap the channel name at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap  Start a call.
  3. Choose a name for your call if you like, then tap Start.
  4. Slack will post a message in the channel letting others know that you’ve started a call, and up to 14 people can join.

Tip: You can set your preferences to always join Slack calls with your audio muted and automatically set your status to  On a call when you’re on a call.

 

Take actions on a call

Once you’ve started or joined a call, here’s what you can do:

  •  Mute or unmute yourself
  •  Turn video on or off
  •  Invite others to a call*
  •  Share your screen on desktop*
  •  Draw on your screen on desktop*
  •  Let others draw on your screen on desktop*

*Available on paid subscriptions

Note: For help with Slack Calls, visit our troubleshooting guide.