Online house parties are the most important thing right now, and this trend is unlikely to go away anytime soon. Apps like Zoom allow you to party with several friends under one video messaging board. And Facebook’s Messenger is pretty much the same.
But why settle for business and regular messaging apps when there is a dedicated app for pairs?
The only possible restriction: how many people can you invite? Of course, this post is here to answer that question for you. Let’s give a hint, the number is very limited.
Getting Started with Houseparty
To get the ball rolling, you need to download and install the app and then sign up. This article assumes you have completed the given steps.
If not, there’s not much to them. Just follow the on-screen wizard and set a unique username. Remember, the Houseparty app has been around for quite some time and all the cool usernames are probably taken.
The key step is to sync the app with your contacts. Make sure you allow access to the contacts on your phone. You can also connect some social networks like Snapchat and Facebook.
Important note:
Some users are reportedly having trouble syncing all their contacts with the Houseparty app. The quick fix is to update the app and try again or restart your smartphone.
If that doesn’t work, syncing social media contacts should work just fine. And it’s worth noting that the bug seems to be isolated to Android devices.
Are you ready to put on your dance shoes?
Once all the syncing is complete, it’s time to get the party started. The main window of the Houseparty app will automatically trigger your selfie camera. And the great thing is that all the party preparations take place from the same window.
Press the big plus icon in the upper right corner of the main window to start inviting guests to your party.
The “Bring Your Friends Here” menu is well-designed and intuitive. The “Friends” window lists every synced contact and there is also a search bar. If you want to add someone from outside your Houseparty app, use the “Add New Friend” or “Invite New Friend” option.
But the million dollar question is, how many guests can you have?
The answer is eight. Therefore, if you are planning a larger event, it is best to use a different app. But then eight people are more than enough to have a good time online.
How do you get the participant’s attention?
Each person has a “wave” button/icon next to their name. Tapping the button sends users a notification letting them know there’s a party in the neighborhood.
If you want to video call the person right now and there, just tap the receiver icon.
Similar to the invite menu, the House Party contacts/friends window is comprehensive and well organized. What’s more, the app even gives you recommendations for “people you might know.”
And when you wave to a user, their profile list jumps to the top of the page. Also, there is a status indicator. For example, if a user is “Around” you’ll see an orange circle.
If you want to preview the notifications you receive, swipe left or right from the contacts menu. Houseparty allows private video messaging. You can pre-record it and send it to the eight participants you want to invite. Within the app, these are called Facemail.
Things to consider
If a party has less than eight participants, you can lock the group chat by pressing the padlock icon. This action prevents other users from crashing your party.
On the other hand, if you want to join a party that is already in full swing, just click on the ongoing “House Parties”. If you can’t join, the chat is already full or locked.
You can switch between cameras or turn off the camera and microphone completely during the party call. And when things get tedious, pressing X will instantly split you.
The great thing is that Houseparty works on your smartphone and is a desktop app with the same features and functions.
Security concerns
Right off the bat, Houseparty is safe to use. However, some organizations recommend using the padlock option to prevent strangers from getting in.
As for other security and privacy concerns, there is nothing to worry about with Houseparty. The app’s cybersecurity protocols and policies are closely related to other similar apps.
In other words, there is nothing shady about Houseparty and the app requires permissions that minimize the possibility of abuse.
Eat, Sleep, Party, Repeat
Ten is a really nice round number for an online party, but you should suffice with eight in this app. It would be fair to assume that this is just another security limitation that keeps bullies out of your online party place.
How often do you party using this app? Do you play any game available on Houseparty? Tell us more about your preferences in the comments section below.
