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BabushkApp

You moved abroad. Mom still can't start a video call.

Build her buttons on your own phone with your number in international format, then send them to her as a link.

What happens

You live in one country, she lives in another. She answers when you call, but calling you means the right app, the right chat and a number with a country code, and you cannot sit next to her to show it.

A small fix: a screen with one button with your name, built from where you are.

Set it up in BabushkApp

  1. Open BabushkApp on your own phone

    Tap “Set up buttons” below. The first screen is “Quick setup”. You build her screen here and send it to her later.

  2. Label and number, with the country code

    In “Button label (optional)” write what she calls you, for example ANNA. In “Phone number” type your number as someone abroad would dial it: “+” and the country code first (+49…).

  3. Choose the channel and check it

    Under “How should they reach you?” choose “Call”, “WhatsApp chat” or “Telegram chat” and tap “Continue”. Then “Check this button”: a chat button opens the chat with your own number; with “Call”, cancel the dialling. Tap “I checked it — add to screen”.

  4. Add the others

    Press and hold “Setup” and tap “Create button” for each person she calls, such as a sibling or neighbour at home. “Button color” helps tell them apart.

  5. Send it to her

    Tap “More” → “Share setup” and send her the link. On her phone she opens it and taps “Use these buttons”. It contains your names and numbers, so send it only to her.

  6. Put the icon on her home screen

    Walk her through adding the icon (iPhone and Android guides below), so she starts in BabushkApp rather than in the messenger.

Check that the button works

  • Agree on a time and ask her to tap your button once. A call or message from her should arrive on your phone.
  • If nothing arrives, check that her button’s number starts with + and your country code, and that the messenger is installed and signed in on her phone.

What BabushkApp does not do

  • Time zones are the family’s job: BabushkApp does not show the time where you are or tell her when to call.
  • It places no calls itself. Whether a “Call” or SMS abroad costs extra is set by her phone plan. WhatsApp and Telegram use the internet instead. BabushkApp compares or lowers neither.
  • A chat button opens the chat only; the call icon inside is hers to find. For a one-tap video call add a “WhatsApp call” button with a call link (guide below).
  • It is a shortcut to calls and chats, not an emergency, medical or monitoring service. You will not know whether she tapped it.

Related guides

Other situations

Set up buttons →All cases ←