How to Join a Doctor’s Video Visit (Telehealth)

What this helps with: Getting your phone, tablet, or computer ready for a video appointment, and joining on time.

This guide covers only the technology. Your health questions are for your doctor or care team.

A day or two before

Read your appointment message. Your doctor’s office will send a text, email, or a message in their patient portal (their website or app). It will tell you how to join. Some offices ask you to fill out forms first.
Install anything they ask you to. If the office uses an app, download it from the App Store or Google Play. Only use the link or app your doctor’s office gives you.
Do a test run. Open the app or link, and make sure the camera and microphone work. Many offices will help you test. Just call and ask.
Ask for help if you need it, like captions or a family member joining. It’s fine to ask.

Charge your device or plug it in.
Pick a quiet spot with good Wi-Fi and light in front of you (not behind you).
Prop up your device so it doesn’t move. Your face should be in the middle of the screen, with the camera at eye level.
Have a list ready: your questions, your medicines, and a pen and paper for notes.
Join 10 minutes early. Tap the link from your appointment message, or open the app and tap Join.

Most video visit apps have the same few buttons, usually at the bottom of the screen:

Camera button. A line through it means your doctor can’t see you. Tap it to turn your camera on.
Microphone button. A line through it means your doctor can’t hear you. Tap it to unmute.
Chat button (a speech bubble). Lets you type a message.
Red button. Ends the visit. Only tap it when you’re done.

The video won’t start. Close the app or web page and open it again. If that doesn’t work, restart your device.
The picture keeps freezing. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, and close other apps.
They can’t hear or see me. Check the camera and microphone buttons for a line through them.
Nothing is working. Call your doctor’s office. That’s why it helps to join early. They may be able to switch to a phone call.
Your doctor may be running late. It’s normal to wait in a “waiting room” screen for a few minutes.
For an emergency, call 911. Don’t wait for a video visit.

Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support. It is not medical advice. Ask your doctor’s office about costs and coverage for your visit.