How do I let users start a call from inside my app

To let users start a call from inside your app, the usual pattern is:

1. Pick a calling backend

   • VoIP / app-to-app calling: WebRTC, Twilio, Agora, Vonage, Daily, etc.
   • Phone calls: integrate with a telephony provider like Twilio Voice, Plivo, or Nexmo.

2. Add call UI in your app

   • A “Call” button
   • Contact list or user profile with call actions
   • Incoming call screen, in-call screen, mute/speaker/end buttons

3. Handle permissions

   • Request microphone access
   • Request camera access if doing video calls
   • On mobile, ensure permission prompts happen before starting media

4. Set up signaling

   • For app-to-app calls, you need a way for devices to find each other and exchange session info.
   • This is often done with your backend using WebSockets, Firebase, or provider SDKs.
   • Signaling handles:
     • who is calling whom
     • call offer/answer exchange
     • ICE candidates for WebRTC
     • call state changes

5. Create the call session

   • When user taps “Call,” your app:
     • creates a call room/session on your backend
     • notifies the other user
     • opens the in-call screen
     • begins media negotiation

6. Use push notifications for offline users

   • If the callee isn’t active, send a push notification:
     • iOS: APNs
     • Android: FCM
   • When they tap it, open the call screen and join the session

7. Implement call lifecycle

   • Start call
   • Ringing
   • Accept/decline
   • Connected
   • Hold/mute/speaker/video toggle
   • End call
   • Cleanup resources

8. If you want to dial real phone numbers

   • Use a voice API provider
   • Your app sends a request to your server
   • Server asks provider to place the call
   • Provider handles PSTN connection

Common choices

• Fastest to build: Twilio / Agora / Daily SDK
• Most control: WebRTC + your own signaling server
• Phone calls: Twilio Voice or similar

Simplest implementation flow

1. User taps Call
2. App sends createCall(userA, userB) to backend
3. Backend creates call room and notifies callee
4. Callee accepts
5. Both sides connect media
6. Call begins

If you tell me your platform — iOS, Android, web, Flutter, React Native, or backend-only — I can give you the exact implementation steps and sample code.