Google Duo debuted in 2016 to support Apple's FaceTime video calling service. Google is smart about making Duo available on Android and iOS devices. Meanwhile, FaceTime is still exclusive to Apple's ecosystem.
Contents1. View Duo2 call history. Make calls directly from the dialer3. Delete recent contacts4. Download call history5. Disable video preview6. Use picture-in-picture mode7. Send voice and video messages8. Mute calls9. Change camera10. View your video in full screen11. Move your image window12. Disable Duo13 calls. Block Duo ContactsDo it with Duo
Duo recording is quite similar to WhatsApp. You need to provide your phone number to start and make calls to everyone in your contact list. Although the Google Duo looks quite simple at first, it packs a number of features.
To make the Duo experience effortless, use these 13 useful tips and tricks.
Download Duo on Android
Download Duo on iOS
The Duo app shows recently contacted people at the bottom. However, call history lacks some basic details such as time and duration of calls.
To view your detailed call log, you need to open the dialer or phone app on your device. That's because Google has integrated call history into your phone's dialer app on Android and iOS devices.
Note: If you don't see the Duo call log on your Android phone, go to Device Settings> Applications> Duo> Permissions. Activate the phone from there.
Without opening the Duo app, you have the freedom to make calls directly from the dialer. To do this, open the dialer app and tap a contact's photo. Then tap on Duo video or voice call.
To remove contacts from the recently contacted area in Duo, long press their contact name. Then tap Delete recent contacts.
If you want to download your Duo call history, you can do that too. For that you will have to dig a bit in the settings as there is no quick option available.
On Android devices, open the Duo app and tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner. Select Help &Feedback.
On the next screen, tap the three-dot icon and then tap Export call history. You can back up call history or share it using other apps from the Share menu.
Meanwhile, iPhone and iPad users should open the Duo app and tap the three-dot icon followed by Settings. Then tap About, Terms &Privacy, then Export call history.
Duo is home to an interesting but somewhat scary feature called Knock Knock. Enabled by default, the recipient can see live video of callers before answering the call – that's the scary part. Fortunately, you can turn it off.
To turn it off, tap the three-dot icon on the Duo app home screen. From the menu, select Settings. Here, tap Knock Knock and disable it on the next screen.
Note: If you disable Knock Knock, you will also lose the ability to see other callers' preview video.
With Android 8.0 Oreo, Google introduced picture-in-picture (PIP) mode to Android. With this feature, you can continue your Duo calls while using other apps on your phone.
Press the Home button during a Duo video call. The video call will appear in a small box on the screen instead of disconnecting. If your device does not support PIP, you will only hear sound when you press the Home button while using the Duo app.
Note: This feature only works on devices running Android 8.0 Oreo and above.
Another cool feature available in Duo is the ability to send audio and video messages. You can leave a message before or after calling someone.
To send a message without calling, swipe down on Duo's home screen. Then press the save button and select the recipient. You can record messages up to 30 seconds.
Most of us have been in a sticky situation when an unavoidable sound or chatter around us interrupts our video calls. Instead of ending the call, you can simply mute your audio for a while.
Whenever such a situation arises, press the mute icon while on a call. It works for both video and audio calls.
By default, the front camera is enabled for video calls. At any time, if you want to switch to the rear camera, tap the camera icon during a call.
When you make a Duo call, the other user's video fills the entire screen with your own video visible in a small window, i.e. a window . To fill your own video on screen, tap your video box. To go back, press the smallest square.
During a Duo call, your face appears in a small window – round or rectangular in the lower left corner. You can move it to other corners by dragging the window.
Wondering how do you receive Duo calls even if you are not registered? This is happening because of Google's app preview messaging feature.
You can turn it off on your Android device by going to Phone Settings> Google> App Preview Messages. Disable Google Duo here.
If someone is bothering you on Duo, you can block their calls. Blocking on Duo will not affect your communication with the contact outside of Duo. They will still be able to send you messages and call you through other apps.
To block a contact, long press the contact's name on Duo. From the menu, select Block number.
When it comes to video calls, Google Duo competes with WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and others. It comes pre-installed on most Android phones and also works on iOS. It also enjoys an additional privilege of working with unregistered numbers. Although the latter is debatable, the advantages such as not caring whether the other person is using the same app or not outweigh its shortcomings.
What do you think of Duo? Let us know in the comments below.
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