Allow portal to accept calls from all facebook platforms (browser, desktop messenger apps, etc.)
Portal cannot call or be called from Messenger through a browser and messenger.com on Windows or Apple Computers.
This means others must own a portal or install facebook messenger app on a tablet or smartphone in order to connect to Portal users.
Thanks for voting for this idea. Good news! We now support receiving calls from the browser version of Facebook and messenger.com on all Portal devices. Please note that functionality may be limited when using certain browsers. If you experience any issues with this feature, please contact our support team. Thanks!
-
Stuart commented
I cannot call my mums portal using messenger app on windows 10. The app is ok to call other contacts. But I have to use messenger via web browser to connect to my mum on her portal.
-
Robin Laverne Wilson commented
I just contacted Portal tech support about this issue. I cannot call my mother's Portal from any browsers on my MacBook Pro or Messenger on my iPad. I have tried multiple times and from different configurations. I always get either "call failed" or "unreachable" and there is always silence and no ringing sound, as if the call isn't being attempted by the interwebs. I am still only able to call successfully from an android phone. So it seems that the problem is not fixed. The Portal was purchased in May 2019.
-
Peggy Morrow commented
We have a Portal+ and it initially worked with messenger.com (for about 6 months) and now does not. It is basically worthless to us now since our kids use their laptops to call us. We would never have bought a Portal if we had known this limitation and, unfortunately, are now past the 30 day return policy.
-
Ahmad Ki commented
yep , portal should work with anything when it come to calls !
-
Anonymous commented
Gen1 portal only shows camera of me in portrait mode for anyone with chromebook or PC. Portal tech support indicated this is a known issue. Only mobile devices work with portal, this is not correct. I wish i would have returned the portal gift.
-
Brian commented
I have a portal for calling family (for whom I've also purchased a portal). However, I'd like to use it when my wife travels, and she prefers using messenger on a laptop vs her phone for calling with me. And it's completely impractical to lug a portal along everywhere.
Since you don't currently support calling from facebook.com or messenger.com, i can't use the portal much of the time when i'd like to.
On a related note, I found it difficult to locate this site to provide any feedback for the portal. https://portal.facebook.com/ Only links to support, and you have to dig to give feedback. Why not have a feedback link somewhere in the header/footer? I think you're missing out on a lot of feedback burying it within the help menus.
-
Tim Wisniewski commented
For what it's worth I was able to receive a call from Brave, which is based on Chromium. But not firefox (there's an error about group calling). Anyone tried it recently? This is a critical feature for me (browsers) and why I purchased my portal over an echo show or the google device.
-
David N commented
This needs to happen! What about people that only have computers/laptops?
-
Melissa commented
The fact that you can't make/receive calls to/from someone who uses a home PC or laptop is ridiculous! Not everyone has, or wants, a smartphone or tablet. This is a MAJOR flaw in the Portal's capabilities. Looks like I'll be returning my Portal, which is unfortunate. I can't believe this feature wasn't considered a must-have.
-
Cole commented
This seems like a basic feature and it's quite embarrassing that the company hasn't included it. I'll be returning my portal because of this.
-
Daniel Zhao commented
I'm going to return if you don't add this feature.
-
Cynthia Dupont-Moniz commented
Terrible, I can't talk to my father with my portal, but I can from my phone... he's using a laptop. Same application, 2 devices, one dedicated to this and it can't do that?!?!
Should I return my Portal Plus?!
-
Olivier Regimbald-Briere commented
That's a big issue, since I can video call my family members with Messenger on my phone, but can't via the Portal. Will have to buy a portal for my family that only owns a laptop? That makes no sense, this request NEEDS to happen.
-
Jeffrey Van Dyke commented
I feel misled. The whole reason I purchased was to talk to a desktop user.
-
Curious Possible Buyer commented
Really!? I was thinking of buying one myself so I can use my computer while chatting on FB Video with people who use FB video from their computer or messenger.
I'll wait on buying until this feature is added 100 %
-
manuchar Katchakhidze commented
if Portal does not fix this problem soon, I am going to return all 4 of my portals back.
We are not asking something big, just allow to receive calls from computers. and it is funny, you need go browser for youtube. You will loose customers, I can tell you that. -
Anonymous commented
When calling via FB Messenger from my Win 10 PC to a relative's Portal, my video image is truncated. I now see this is "unsupported". What were you thinking??
-
Anonymous commented
Portal is so great in helping our aging population stay connected. Unfortunately many seniors are still using facebook via a pc, and Portal will not connect with pc. My senior father in law recently moved away from his community and we are desperately trying to keep him connected with his friends. I hope that facebook can update their system soon to accommodate these users.
-
Tom Boyer commented
I want to be able to 'call' any laptop or ipad utilizing messenger with a LAN connection. If this is not available - I may as well recommend laptop purchase and skype??
-
Tony Rodriguez commented
I would suggest that the Portal product manager have his/her head examined! You have limited the number of possible users for the portal by not providing Messenger on a browser support. I purchased the unit for my 90+ parents that have a very large family wanting to communicate with them, starting with me. I spend most of my time on a MacBook Air with great resolution screen, great camera, etc and now I can't get the call from my parents. I now have to limit the call to my tiny iPhone!