Camera & setup
How to Prop Up Your Phone for Video Calls
Here's how to prop up your phone for video calls without buying anything: lean it against a heavy mug on top of a stack of books, so the front camera sits at eye level about an arm's length away, then make sure the screen won't lock mid-call. Thirty seconds of setup gives you a steady, hands-free picture.
Below are six setups using things around the house, when a cheap stand or tripod is worth it, how to choose between portrait and landscape, and the settings that keep your screen from going dark.
What a good phone setup needs
- Steady: it shouldn't wobble when you tap the screen.
- Eye level: the lens level with your eyes or slightly above. Our guide to the best camera angle for video calls explains why this matters so much.
- About an arm's length away: close enough to tap, far enough to avoid a distorted, nose-first close-up.
- Reachable: you'll want to tap Next or Stop and type in the chat.
- Clear of the mic and speaker: don't wedge the bottom edge into something that covers them.
- Light in front of you: a window or lamp behind the phone, facing you. More in best lighting for video calls on a phone.
DIY phone stand: six setups with things you own
1. Books and a mug
Stack hardcover books on a table until the top is roughly at chest height when you sit. Put a heavy mug on top and lean the phone against it, bottom edge resting on the books. Add or remove a book to fine-tune the height.
2. A binder clip lip
Clip a large binder clip onto the front edge of your book stack or a shelf, with the handles folded flat. The clip forms a small lip that stops the phone sliding forward as it leans back against a wall, a box or the mug.
3. Cardboard tube
Take an empty paper towel tube and cut a slit across it, about halfway through. Slide the phone's edge into the slit. Stand the tube on a box or books for height.
4. Cereal box triangle
Cut a long rectangle from a cereal or shipping box, fold it into a triangle and tape it closed. Cut a notch near the bottom of one face for the phone to rest in. It's light, foldable and surprisingly sturdy.
5. A shelf or windowsill
If you'd rather stand, a shelf at eye height works well. Lean the phone against the wall at the back. A windowsill is ideal during the day: the window sits behind the phone, so daylight falls on your face.
6. A pillow with a book on top
On a sofa or bed, a pillow alone is too soft. Lay a hardcover book flat on top for a firm base, then lean the phone against something on it. Don't charge the phone buried in bedding, where heat builds up.
Phone sliding? Put a rubber band around the bottom of the phone or lay a cloth under it for grip.
Phone stand for video calls: when buying makes sense
If you chat often, a simple stand saves rebuilding the book tower every time. Common types and what to know about each:
| Type | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Folding desk stand | Quick, compact, adjustable angle | Usually too low on its own; put it on books |
| Tripod with a phone clamp | Getting true eye level anywhere, even standing | Takes floor or table space |
| Clamp arm or gooseneck | Attaching to a desk edge or shelf | Long arms can wobble when tapped |
| Phone grip with kickstand | Pocket-sized propping | Low angle; best with a book stack |
| Ring light with phone holder | Light and stand in one | Glare in glasses; needs a power source |
Before buying, check that it grips your phone with its case on, doesn't cover the camera or side buttons, and stays put when you tap the screen.
Portrait or landscape?
Both work for video chat, including on Omlet. Each has trade-offs:
- Portrait frames one face naturally and makes the on-screen keyboard easier for typing in the chat. It's taller and narrower, so it tips more easily.
- Landscape gives a wider view and a lower center of gravity. Most tripods and stands are designed for it.
Whichever you choose, the other person's screen may crop the edges of your video to fill their window. Keep your face near the center with a little space above your head, so a crop doesn't cut off your forehead or chin.
Keep the screen from locking during a call
A propped-up phone isn't being touched, and an idle phone eventually locks itself. When the screen locks, the browser usually pauses or stops the camera, and your partner sees a frozen picture or the chat drops.
- iPhone: Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock, and choose a longer time. Low Power Mode forces Auto-Lock to 30 seconds, so turn it off for propped-up chats or tap the screen now and then.
- Android: Settings → Display → Screen timeout (names vary by maker), and choose a longer time.
- Many phones stay awake while video is playing, but not every browser keeps the screen on during a call.
If your screen still goes dark, our guide on why your phone screen turns off during video calls covers every cause. Remember to set the timeout back afterward to save battery.
Hands-free video call setup: finishing touches
- Use earbuds or headphones. You can sit at arm's length and still hear clearly, and they stop echo.
- Plug in for long chats, if your stand leaves room for the cable.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb so alerts don't cover the screen.
- Wipe the front camera. Pockets leave smudges that soften everything.
- Check what's in frame. A propped phone often shows more of you and your room than you expect. For clothes that look good on camera, see what to wear on a video call.
On a tablet, the cover often doubles as a stand; our page on random video chat on iPad and tablets has tablet tips. Want your phone's camera on a laptop instead? See how to use your phone as a webcam.