Waitlist and video calls
Updated July 27, 2026 · 6 min read
The waitlist helps you find someone available for social conversation or skill sharing. You choose who receives your connection request.
At a glance
Who this is for
User looking for a conversation or skill-sharing session
Estimated time
2–4 minutes before joining the list
Outcome
An active waitlist entry or a request sent to the selected person
Before you start
- You are signed in and have completed your Hola25 profile.
- Your account meets the displayed verification requirements for connections.
- Your browser can use the camera and microphone for the video call.
Steps to follow
Choose how you want to find a conversation
You have two options. Join the waitlist to become visible to people looking for someone available, or open Available people and send a request yourself.
In the first flow, only you accept or refuse incoming requests. In the second flow, the person already waiting decides whether to accept your request.
- Choose Join waitlist to receive requests.
- Choose Available people to send a request yourself.
You choose the connection
Joining the list does not start a call automatically. The waiting host accepts or refuses each request.
Expected result
You understand whether you will be the waiting host or the person sending the connection request.
Check your profile and available minutes
The waitlist is available to signed-in users with a complete profile. If an additional verification is required, the join button stays disabled and shows the action you need to take.
Users without a subscription have separate daily balances for hosting and joining. The displayed options account for the relevant balance and the daily reset.
- Complete your profile if you are redirected.
- Follow the verification warning when one is displayed.
- Check the remaining-minute balance in the page header.
Expected result
The page displays the waitlist form and the durations your account can currently use.
Choose Social hangout or Skill sharing
Select Social hangout for a general conversation. Choose Skill sharing when you want to discuss something you can teach, practise or learn.
The category affects who can find you and which additional information the form requests. An accurate choice reduces requests that do not match your intention.
- Select one category.
- Read the description displayed under each option.
Expected result
The intended category is highlighted and the form shows the fields relevant to it.
Select skills and explain what you want
For Skill sharing, select at least one and no more than three skills. Choose only skills that are relevant to the conversation you want.
The description is optional, but helps others decide whether the conversation is a good fit. Briefly state what you want to learn, practise or share.
- Choose between one and three skills.
- Add a short, specific description.
Expected result
The selected skills and description appear in the session summary.
Choose from the available durations
Select the intended duration from the options shown. A session cannot exceed 25 minutes, and for an unsubscribed account the list may offer only durations that fit the remaining host minutes.
The effective connection can be shorter than your choice because the system also considers the other person's available time.
- Compare the intended duration with the displayed balance.
- Select the appropriate option before confirmation.
Expected result
A duration is selected and the join action is available when every other requirement is met.
Confirm and enter the waiting room
Select Join waitlist and review the confirmation summary. It explains visibility, request acceptance, duration, cancellation and the current call-photo preferences.
After confirmation, you enter the waiting room. You can prepare the camera and microphone, change settings and accept or refuse requests as they arrive.
- Read the summary before confirming.
- Confirm that you want to join.
- Remain in the waiting room while you want to receive requests.
You can cancel before connecting
Leave the waiting room when you are no longer available. Unaccepted requests are cleaned up when the entry disappears.
Expected result
Your entry is active and the waiting room can receive connection requests.
Send or answer a request, then prepare the call
When using Available people, review the displayed profile and send a request only to someone you want to speak with. As the waiting host, review each incoming request and accept or refuse it.
When connecting, allow camera and microphone access and check the devices. If call photos are enabled, the product explains capture timing and preferences; after the call, reporting is available from call history.
- Review the person, category and skills before requesting.
- Accept only conversations you want to have.
- Test the camera and microphone before entering the call.
Safety and control
You can end the call at any time and report it later from call history.
Expected result
An accepted request opens the call flow, with duration limited to the available time calculated for both participants.
If something does not work
The join button is disabled.
Check the profile or verification warning. For Skill sharing, you must also select at least one skill.
The duration I want is missing.
Durations are limited to 25 minutes and to the host minutes currently available on your account.
No available person is displayed.
Change the category or skill filter, try the next person, or join the list yourself so you can receive requests.
The camera or microphone does not work.
Allow browser access, close other applications using the devices and check the selection in waiting-room settings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join the waitlist for a video call?
Choose Social hangout or Skill sharing, pick your preferred duration (up to 25 minutes) and confirm; you land directly in the waiting room, where you accept or refuse incoming requests.
How many minutes do I get per day without Premium?
You have separate daily balances for hosting and joining, each up to 25 minutes; they reset once a day at 00:00 UTC.
What's the difference between Social hangout and Skill sharing?
Social hangout is for a general conversation; Skill sharing lets you pick one to three skills you want to discuss, practise or learn, which helps you get matching requests.
My camera or microphone isn't working in the waiting room. What do I do?
Allow access in your browser, close other apps using the same devices and check the camera and microphone selection before connecting.
Can I report someone after a call?
Yes, you can end the call anytime, and you can report the conversation afterward from your call history, even once it's over.
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