Frequently Asked Questions
What is Abeedesk?
A free video calling tool that works in your web browser. There is nothing to install and no account to create.
Is Abeedesk really free? What is the catch?
It is free, with no paid plan and no limit on how often or how long you call. The site is paid for by ads and by people who support it on Patreon. Ads appear on the pages around the call and, on computers, beside the call. There are no ads in calls on phones. We never sell or read your calls; there is nothing to sell, because nothing is recorded or stored.
Can someone join without installing anything or creating an account?
Yes. Nobody needs an account, not even the person who creates the room. Everyone opens the same link in their browser and allows the camera and microphone. That is all.
Can my parents join from a phone just by tapping the link?
Yes. Send the link by text message or email; tapping it opens the call in the phone's browser, and the phone asks once for the camera and microphone. If the link opens inside a messaging app and the camera does not start, open it in Chrome or Safari instead. See video calls for elderly parents for tips.
How is Abeedesk different from Zoom or Google Meet?
Abeedesk is made for quick, small calls: nobody needs an account or an app, calls have no time limit, and video goes directly between the participants. In return, a room holds at most 4 people and there is no recording, webinar or calendar integration. If you need those, a larger tool fits better. See the comparison.
Is it safe for a private conversation?
Video, audio, chat and whiteboard go directly between participants, encrypted, and nothing is recorded or stored. The room name after # in the link is not sent to our server with page requests. Anyone with the link can join, so use a long room name and lock the room once everyone is in.
How do I start a call?
On the home page, type a room name of at least 12 characters or take a generated one, then click Start call. Your camera and microphone start and you are in the room.
How do I invite others?
Click Copy invite link and send the link by email, text message or any messaging app. It looks like https://abeedesk.com/#your-room-name. Anyone who opens it joins your room.
How many people can be in a room?
Up to 4 people at the same time, each with audio and video.
Is there a time limit?
No. You can stay in a room as long as you like.
Do I need to sign up or log in?
No. The only thing you need is the room name or link. On a computer you can add your name in the chat panel or in Settings, so others know who you are.
How do I keep strangers out?
Use a long room name (generated names are the safest) and, once everyone is in, click Lock to set a password. New people then need the password to join. The password is forgotten when everyone leaves.
How do I share my screen?
On a computer, click Share screen and choose a window, a browser tab or your whole screen. No extension is needed. Screen sharing is not available on phones.
Can I join without a camera or microphone?
Yes. You will still see and hear the others and can use the chat. Others will see your initials instead of video.
Which browsers are supported?
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Brave and Opera on computers, and Chrome or Safari on phones and tablets.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, in the phone's browser. Just open the room link. The phone version focuses on the call itself; chat messages from others appear as short notifications, and the whiteboard and screen sharing are available on computers.
Can I install Abeedesk as an app?
Yes, without an app store. On Android or a computer, use Install in Chrome or Edge; on an iPhone or iPad, open abeedesk.com in Safari, tap the menu button (three lines) next to the address bar (or Share on older iPhones), then Share and Add to Home Screen. The app opens in its own window and lists your recent rooms. See the Abeedesk app for the steps.
Can I get notified when someone joins my room?
Yes, in the app installed on your phone. After your first call your phone asks whether Abeedesk may send notifications; allow it. From then on, when someone joins one of your rooms while you are not in it, you get a notification with the room name; tap it to join. You get at most one per room every 5 minutes. Remove a room from Recent rooms with the bin icon to stop its notifications, or turn them all off in your phone's settings. On an iPhone this needs iOS 16.4 or later. We store only a hash of the room name, never the name, and forget a room 30 days after your last visit. See the Privacy Policy.
On a computer, while you are in a call but looking at another tab or window, your browser shows its usual notification when someone joins, if you allow it.
Is my call recorded or stored?
No. Video, audio, chat and whiteboard go directly between participants, encrypted. We do not record, store or have access to any of it. Chat history disappears when the call ends.
I cannot see or hear the others. What can I do?
Check that your browser is allowed to use the camera and microphone (the camera icon in the address bar), close other apps that use the camera, and reload the page. If your browser shows a "Click to hear and see the others" button, click it. Very strict company networks can block video calls; trying a different network usually helps.
How do I leave a room?
Click Leave or simply close the tab.