There are a few ways to tell if someone is on a video call on Facebook Messenger. While there is no definitive indicator, there are some signs that can help you figure out if someone is in a video chat or not.
Their profile picture will have a video icon
When someone is in an active video call on Messenger, a small video camera icon will appear over their profile picture. This video icon only shows up during an active video chat and goes away once the call has ended.
So if you notice the video icon over a friend’s profile picture, it’s a clear visual sign that they are on a video call at that moment. This is perhaps the most straightforward way to identify if someone is in a Messenger video chat.
Their chat will show “In a video call”
In addition to the video icon on their profile picture, you may also see a status indicator in the chat window with that person. Specifically, it will say “[Name] In a video call” under their name at the top of your message thread.
This status text directly tells you that they are engaged in a video call on Messenger. It appears automatically when the call begins and disappears once it has ended. So if you don’t see the “In a video call” status in your chat with someone, you can assume they are not on a video call.
You will see reduced chat capabilities
Messenger intentionally limits chat functionality during a video call to allow people to focus on the call. So if you notice you are unable to send messages, photos, GIFs or other content to someone, it likely means they are preoccupied with a video call.
Specifically, you may see a message that says “[Name] can’t receive messages right now because they’re on a call.” This makes it clear they are in a video chat and unable to actively chat back and forth until it ends.
They will not show a “seen” receipt or be typing
In Messenger, you can normally see when someone has read your message based on the visual “seen” receipt. You can also view when someone is actively typing a reply. However, neither of these capabilities are available when a user is on a video call.
So if you have noticed that your friend is no longer showing read receipts or typing status, it’s highly possible they are engaged in a video chat where these features are disabled by default.
Their profile will show a video thumbnail
In the desktop version of Messenger, you may notice a video thumbnail on a person’s profile if they are on a call. This thumbnail shows a preview of the actual live video feed from their call.
Seeing the thumbnail video on someone’s profile is definitive confirmation that they are in that moment on a Messenger video chat. Once the call has ended, the thumbnail will be removed from their profile.
You can double check their active status
If you still aren’t sure if someone is on a video call, you can double check their active status. Next to a user’s name in any message thread, there is an “Active” indicator that shows when they are actively online.
If you notice this active status overlaps with the timing of suspected video call activity, it’s a strong sign they probably are on a video chat. The active status will turn off as soon they end the call and are no longer using Messenger actively.
You may hear call audio
If you happen to be physically near someone who is on a Messenger video call, you may faintly be able to hear the audio from their call. This would certainly confirm that they are actively engaged in a video chat at that moment.
However, since this relies on physical proximity, it isn’t a practical way to detect video calls from a distance. But it can serve as verification if you are next to the person and overhear traces of call audio.
Their notifications may be delayed
Messenger typically sends push notifications to a user’s device when they receive a new message. However, if they are on an active video call, those notifications will be delayed until the call has finished.
As a result, if you notice a friend is slower than normal at responding to your messages, it suggests they may have been on a video chat with delayed notifications coming through.
Conclusion
In summary, here are some of the main ways you can likely identify if someone is on a Messenger video call:
- A video icon appears on their profile picture
- You see an “In a video call” status message
- Chat capabilities like sending messages are limited
- Read receipts and typing indicators disappear
- A video thumbnail is shown on their profile
- Their active status coincides with suspected call times
- You may faintly hear call audio (if nearby)
- Their message notifications are delayed
While there isn’t one foolproof way to know if someone is on a Messenger video call, these visual clues can help you make an educated assumption. The video icon, status indicator, and live thumbnail are the most definitive signs. But even limited chat functionality and delayed notifications could suggest your friend is likely engaged in a video chat and unavailable for regular Messenger messaging.
| Signs someone may be on a Messenger video call | What it means |
|---|---|
| Video camera icon on profile picture | Clear indicator of active video call |
| “In a video call” status message | Direct confirmation of video call in progress |
| Can’t send messages, photos, GIFs | Limited chat abilities signify active call |
| No read receipts or typing indicators | Disabled features suggest focus on video call |
| Live video thumbnail on profile | Definitive proof of ongoing video call |
| Active status matches suspected call times | Being actively online implies higher chance of video chat |
| Hearing traces of call audio | Physical proximity allows overhearing confirmation |
| Delayed message notifications | Slower responses indicate potential video call distraction |
While Messenger does not have a full-proof way of confirming someone’s video call status, paying attention to these signs can help you make an educated guess. If you notice several of the indicators aligning, you can feel confident they are likely on a video chat. However, it is impossible to know with 100% certainty without directly asking the person or being able to see their screen.
Indirect ways to detect a Messenger video call
In addition to the more obvious signs listed above, there are also some indirect cues that could imply someone is on a Messenger video chat:
Their online status switches to inactive
If you notice a friend goes from showing actively online on Messenger to inactive or offline shortly after showing signs of a video call, this timeline suggests they ended the call and stopped actively using the app. The status switch can happen if they exit the call and put down their phone.
They suddenly become unreachable
If your messages and calls start going unanswered to someone who was just reachable, it can be because they hopped on a spontaneous video call and became distracted or unable to respond. The lack of reachability coinciding with other video call signs raises the likelihood.
It occurs during typical video calling hours
If the suspected video call aligns with normal peak usage times, it makes the assumption stronger. Most video calls tend to happen in the evenings when people are done with work or on weekends when people have more free time. Seeing indicators during these busy video chat blocks is telling.
It fits their regular calling habits
If the person routinely makes video calls on Messenger to specific people (family, significant other, etc), seeing the indicators during their normal calling windows with those individuals can verify the likelihood even more.
Their Bitmoji disappears from chat
If someone is using Bitmoji in their Messenger chats, their avatar will temporarily disappear when they are on a video call and reappear after. So an oddly missing Bitmoji could imply they jumped on a call.
While these secondary signals are circumstantial, they can help reinforce the likelihood if the timing and patterns align closely with more definitive video call signs. In isolation they are less reliable, but as part of a broader set of indicators they hold some merit.
How to actually confirm someone is on a Messenger video call
While the signs above can clue you in, there are ways to definitively confirm if someone is on a Messenger video call:
Ask them directly
The simplest and most certain way is to just directly ask the person through a message or chat. They can easily confirm “Yes I’m on a video call right now” or “No I’m not on a call”. Getting the definitive answer straight from the source leaves no room for doubt.
Initiate a call and see if it rings
Try calling or video calling the person in question. If the call just keeps ringing rather than going directly to voicemail, it’s highly likely they are tied up on another video call. The lack of a voicemail pickup proves they are still online and preoccupied.
Call from a different account
Similarly, you can try calling/video calling from a secondary Messenger account you or a friend has. If the notifications don’t come through on their end, it’s because they are in another call that is blocking notifications and interrupting other rings.
See their active device status
Facebook allows you to see devices where your friends are actively logged into Messenger. So you can check their active devices and see if a mobile device appears active during suspected call times. Active mobile device = higher likelihood they are on a call.
Use a screen sharing app
If you have remote screen sharing permissions to someone’s device, you can directly observe if the Messenger call screens are open. But this is very invasive and not recommended without consent.
While the first options require reaching out to the person, they provide actual certainty versus just clues. And you can tactfully ask in a way that doesn’t disrupt their call, such as “Hey, quick question – are you on a Messenger call right now?” to definitively settle the mystery.
Why can it be hard to confirm Messenger video calls?
In the end, Messenger does not make it very easy to definitively detect if a contact is on a video call. Here are some reasons why it can be tricky to confirm:
- No explicit visual indicator exists universally
- Notifications and read receipts are suppressed
- Can’t view someone’s active call screen
- Call and chat functionality is limited
- Video/audio streams are not accessible
- Primary signs appear temporarily and briefly
- Status indicators only appear to mutual contacts
- Mobile device active status lacks precision
Unlike seeing “online” vs “offline” status, there is no persistent indicator a call is occurring. And you have limited insight into their actual call screen activity and device status.
Essentially, Facebook designed Messenger video calling as a private experience between two users. So the signs are mainly indirect and imperfect unless you employ more invasive tactics like screen sharing.
Ethical ways to detect an active Messenger video call
If you need to know if someone is on a Messenger video call, here are some ethical ways to make an effort to detect it:
- Watch for the profile photo video icon
- Monitor chat status indicators
- Note if standard chat functions are limited
- Pay attention to changes in active status online
- Politely ask them through a message
- Try calling and look for a ring vs voicemail
- Check if they are slow to respond or read messages
Avoid more invasive tactics like remote screen viewing, repeated calling, using alternate accounts to call, or accessing their devices without permission. This ruins user trust.
The most reliable and ethical approach is a simple friendly message asking if they are on a video call currently. This gets a definitive answer without intrusion.
In summary…
Confirming Messenger video calls requires paying close attention for indirect signals due to intended user privacy:
- Profile icons, chat statuses and thumbnails offer visual clues
- Limitations in chat functions suggest active calls
- Timing patterns and availability changes provide context
- But only direct methods like asking deliver certainty
- Blunt tactics like screen sharing or repetitive calling damage trust
With awareness and observation, you can make an educated assumption about Messenger video activity. However, the only foolproof methods are ethically asking the user directly or having them volunteer the information to you.