Keeping in touch with kids and grandkids has never been cheaper or easier, but the number of ways to do it can feel overwhelming. Here is a plain-English guide to the most common ones, what they are best for, and how to get started.
SMS (regular text messages)
This is the simplest. Every mobile phone has it built in. Texts come from your phone number and arrive at the other person's phone number.
- Best for: short messages, sending to anyone with a phone, no setup needed.
- Cost: Almost always included in your phone plan (Pennytel plans include unlimited SMS).
- Limitations: Sending photos and videos can be patchy, and group texts are clunky.
WhatsApp is a free messaging app you download onto your phone. Once installed, you can send messages, photos, videos, and voice notes — and make free voice and video calls — to anyone else who also has WhatsApp.
- Best for: family group chats, sending lots of photos, international calls (free).
- Cost: Free, but uses your internet or mobile data.
- How to get it: Download "WhatsApp" from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). It will ask for your phone number to set up.
- Tip: Once you are in, the kids will probably add you to a family group chat. That is where most family news happens these days.
FaceTime (iPhone and iPad only)
FaceTime is Apple's video calling app. It is built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If everyone in the family has Apple devices, this is the easiest way to video call.
- Best for: video calls between Apple users, audio calls (yes, audio-only FaceTime works), group video calls.
- Cost: Free, uses your internet or mobile data.
- How to use it: Open the green "FaceTime" app, type the person's name or phone number, tap the video icon.
- Limitation: Only works with other Apple users. If a grandkid has an Android phone, you cannot FaceTime them — use WhatsApp or Messenger instead.
Messenger (Facebook Messenger)
If you have a Facebook account, you have Messenger. It is a separate app for messages, voice calls, and video calls.
- Best for: people who already use Facebook, video calls with people who do not have WhatsApp.
- Cost: Free, uses internet/data.
- Note: You do not need to share your phone number to message someone on Messenger — they just need to be your Facebook friend.
Zoom
Zoom became famous during lockdowns and is still around. It is best for organised meetings rather than spontaneous chats. The grandkids' school might use it. Otherwise, FaceTime or WhatsApp are usually easier for family.
Which should you use?
If the family is all on iPhones: use FaceTime. It is built in and just works.
If the family is mixed between iPhone and Android: use WhatsApp. It works on both, and group chats are excellent.
For quick "I am running late" or "happy birthday" messages: regular SMS is still perfect.
A few tips for video calls
- Use Wi-Fi if you can. Video calls use a lot of data — at home, connect to your Wi-Fi to save your mobile data.
- Hold the phone at eye level. Resting it on a stack of books or a stand looks much better than holding it on your lap (where it looks up your nose).
- Sit with a window or light in front of you, not behind you. Otherwise you appear as a silhouette.
- Headphones help with audio. Especially if you wear hearing aids — pair them via Bluetooth and the call audio comes straight to your ears.
Getting started if you have not before
The hardest bit is the first time. Ask one of the kids to come over and help you install WhatsApp or FaceTime. Once it is set up, you will not need to do anything technical again — just tap to call.
And if you get stuck, our support team is happy to talk you through it. We have heard every "I do not understand technology" line. We will not judge.