Telegram one-on-one video calls now available on iOS and Android

Telegram the Secure messaging app has started an alpha version of one-on-one video calls on both it’s Android and iOS apps, the company stated, saying 2020 had “highlighted the demand for face-to-face interaction.”

In a blog post marking its seventh anniversary, Telegram reported the method for beginning a video call: tap the profile page of the person you need to connect with.

Users can switch video on or off at any time through a call, and the video calls assistance picture-in-picture mode, so users can stay scrolling through the app if that call gets boring.

Video calls will have end-to-end-encryption, Telegram’s blog posts states, one of the app’s setting features for its audio calls and texting.

“Our apps for Android and iOS have reproducible builds, so anyone can verify encryption and validate that their app uses the same open-source code that we publish with each update,” according to the post.

Telegram announced in April it had touched 400 million monthly active users.

In April, Telegram stated it would launch group video calls following this year. This isn’t quite that, but in the most recent blog post, the company meant that “video calls will get more features and changes in future versions, as we strive toward launching group video calls in the coming months.”