Ringing

Implement a complete calling workflow with ringing, incoming/outgoing call UI, accept, reject, and cancel functionality in CometChat React Native SDK.

Quick Reference - Initiate a call and listen for events:

// Initiate a video call
const call = new CometChat.Call("RECEIVER_ID", CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO, CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.USER);
await CometChat.initiateCall(call);

// Accept an incoming call
await CometChat.acceptCall(sessionId);

// Reject or cancel
await CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, CometChat.CALL_STATUS.REJECTED);

Available via: SDK | REST API | UI Kits

Overview

This section explains how to implement a complete calling workflow with ringing functionality, including incoming/outgoing call UI, call acceptance, rejection, and cancellation. Previously known as Default Calling.

After the call is accepted, you need to start the call session. See the Call Session guide for details on starting and managing the actual call.

Call Flow:

1. Caller initiates a call using initiateCall()
2. Receiver gets notified via onIncomingCallReceived() callback
3. Receiver can either:
   • Accept the call using acceptCall()
   • Reject the call using rejectCall() with status CALL_STATUS_REJECTED
4. Caller can cancel the call using rejectCall() with status CALL_STATUS_CANCELLED
5. Once accepted, both participants generate a call token and render the CometChatCalls.Component to join the call

Initiate Call

The initiateCall() method sends a call request to a user or a group. On success, the receiver gets an onIncomingCallReceived() callback.

User Call (JavaScript)

const receiverID = "UID";
const callType = CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO;
const receiverType = CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.USER;

const call = new CometChat.Call(receiverID, callType, receiverType);

CometChat.initiateCall(call).then(
  (outgoingCall) => {
    console.log("Call initiated:", outgoingCall);
    // Show outgoing call UI
    // Store outgoingCall.getSessionId() for later use
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Call initiation failed:", error);
  }
);

Group Call (JavaScript)

const receiverID = "GUID";
const callType = CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO;
const receiverType = CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.GROUP;

const call = new CometChat.Call(receiverID, callType, receiverType);

CometChat.initiateCall(call).then(
  (outgoingCall) => {
    console.log("Call initiated:", outgoingCall);
    // Show outgoing call UI
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Call initiation failed:", error);
  }
);

User Call (TypeScript)

const receiverID: string = "UID";
const callType: string = CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO;
const receiverType: string = CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.USER;

const call: CometChat.Call = new CometChat.Call(receiverID, callType, receiverType);

CometChat.initiateCall(call).then(
  (outgoingCall: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Call initiated:", outgoingCall);
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Call initiation failed:", error);
  }
);

Group Call (TypeScript)

const receiverID: string = "GUID";
const callType: string = CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO;
const receiverType: string = CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.GROUP;

const call: CometChat.Call = new CometChat.Call(receiverID, callType, receiverType);

CometChat.initiateCall(call).then(
  (outgoingCall: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Call initiated:", outgoingCall);
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Call initiation failed:", error);
  }
);

Parameter	Description
receiverID	The UID or GUID of the recipient
receiverType	CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.USER or CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.GROUP
callType	CometChat.CALL_TYPE.AUDIO or CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO

On success, a Call object is returned containing the call details including a unique sessionId required for starting the call session.

Call Listeners

Register the CallListener to receive real-time call events. Each listener requires a unique listenerId string to prevent duplicate registrations and enable targeted removal.

JavaScript

const listenerId = "UNIQUE_LISTENER_ID";

// Register listener
CometChat.addCallListener(
  listenerId,
  new CometChat.CallListener({
    onIncomingCallReceived: (call) => {
      console.log("Incoming call:", call);
      // Show incoming call UI
    },
    onOutgoingCallAccepted: (call) => {
      console.log("Outgoing call accepted:", call);
      // Receiver accepted, start the call session
    },
    onOutgoingCallRejected: (call) => {
      console.log("Outgoing call rejected:", call);
      // Receiver rejected, dismiss outgoing call UI
    },
    onIncomingCallCancelled: (call) => {
      console.log("Incoming call cancelled:", call);
      // Caller cancelled, dismiss incoming call UI
    },
    onCallEndedMessageReceived: (call) => {
      console.log("Call ended message:", call);
      // Call ended by remote participant
    }
  })
);

// Unregister listener when done
CometChat.removeCallListener(listenerId);

TypeScript

const listenerId: string = "UNIQUE_LISTENER_ID";

// Register listener
CometChat.addCallListener(
  listenerId,
  new CometChat.CallListener({
    onIncomingCallReceived: (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Incoming call:", call);
      // Show incoming call UI
    },
    onOutgoingCallAccepted: (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Outgoing call accepted:", call);
      // Receiver accepted, start the call session
    },
    onOutgoingCallRejected: (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Outgoing call rejected:", call);
      // Receiver rejected, dismiss outgoing call UI
    },
    onIncomingCallCancelled: (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Incoming call cancelled:", call);
      // Caller cancelled, dismiss incoming call UI
    },
    onCallEndedMessageReceived: (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Call ended message:", call);
      // Call ended by remote participant
    }
  })
);

// Unregister listener when done
CometChat.removeCallListener(listenerId);

Always remove call listeners when the component unmounts using CometChat.removeCallListener(listenerId). Failing to do so can cause memory leaks and duplicate event handling.

Events

Event	Description
onIncomingCallReceived(call)	Invoked when an incoming call is received. The call contains caller details, session ID, and call type. Display incoming call UI here.
onOutgoingCallAccepted(call)	Invoked on the caller’s device when the receiver accepts. Generate call token and start the session here.
onOutgoingCallRejected(call)	Invoked on the caller’s device when the receiver rejects the call. Dismiss outgoing call UI here.
onIncomingCallCancelled(call)	Invoked on the receiver’s device when the caller cancels before answering. Dismiss incoming call UI here.
onCallEndedMessageReceived(call)	Invoked when a call ends. The call contains final status and duration. Update call history here.

Accept Call

When an incoming call is received via onIncomingCallReceived(), use acceptCall() to accept it. On success, start the call session.

JavaScript

const sessionId = call.getSessionId(); // From onIncomingCallReceived

CometChat.acceptCall(sessionId).then(
  (call) => {
    console.log("Call accepted:", call);
    // Call accepted, now start the call session
    // Generate token and render CometChatCalls.Component
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Accept call failed:", error);
  }
);

TypeScript

const sessionId: string = call.getSessionId(); // From onIncomingCallReceived

CometChat.acceptCall(sessionId).then(
  (call: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Call accepted:", call);
    // Call accepted, now start the call session
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Accept call failed:", error);
  }
);

Reject Call

Use rejectCall() to reject an incoming call. Set the status to CALL_STATUS_REJECTED.

JavaScript

const sessionId = call.getSessionId();
const status = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.REJECTED;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call) => {
    console.log("Call rejected:", call);
    // Dismiss incoming call UI
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Reject call failed:", error);
  }
);

TypeScript

const sessionId: string = call.getSessionId();
const status: string = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.REJECTED;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Call rejected:", call);
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Reject call failed:", error);
  }
);

Cancel Call

The caller can cancel an outgoing call before it’s answered using rejectCall() with status CALL_STATUS_CANCELLED.

JavaScript

const sessionId = call.getSessionId();
const status = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.CANCELLED;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call) => {
    console.log("Call cancelled:", call);
    // Dismiss outgoing call UI
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Cancel call failed:", error);
  }
);

TypeScript

const sessionId: string = call.getSessionId();
const status: string = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.CANCELLED;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Call cancelled:", call);
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Cancel call failed:", error);
  }
);

Start Call Session

Once the call is accepted, both participants need to start the call session.

Caller flow: In the onOutgoingCallAccepted() callback, generate a token and start the session.

Receiver flow: In the acceptCall() success callback, generate a token and start the session.

JavaScript

const sessionId = call.getSessionId();
const loggedInUser = await CometChat.getLoggedinUser();
const userAuthToken = loggedInUser.getAuthToken();

// Step 1: Generate call token
CometChatCalls.generateToken(sessionId, userAuthToken).then(
  (callToken) => {
    // Step 2: Configure call settings
    const callListener = new CometChatCalls.OngoingCallListener({
      onCallEnded: () => {
        CometChat.clearActiveCall();
        CometChatCalls.endSession();
        // Close calling screen
      },
      onCallEndButtonPressed: () => {
        CometChat.endCall(sessionId).then(
          () => {
            CometChat.clearActiveCall();
            CometChatCalls.endSession();
            // Close calling screen
          },
          (error) => console.log("End call failed:", error)
        );
      },
      onUserJoined: (user) => console.log("User joined:", user),
      onUserLeft: (user) => console.log("User left:", user),
      onError: (error) => console.log("Call error:", error)
    });

    const callSettings = new CometChatCalls.CallSettingsBuilder()
      .enableDefaultLayout(true)
      .setIsAudioOnlyCall(false)
      .setCallEventListener(callListener)
      .build();

    // Step 3: Render call component
    // <CometChatCalls.Component callSettings={callSettings} callToken={callToken} />
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Token generation failed:", error);
  }
);

TypeScript

const sessionId: string = call.getSessionId();
const loggedInUser = await CometChat.getLoggedinUser();
const userAuthToken: string = loggedInUser.getAuthToken();

// Step 1: Generate call token
CometChatCalls.generateToken(sessionId, userAuthToken).then(
  (callToken: GenerateToken) => {
    // Step 2: Configure call settings
    const callListener = new CometChatCalls.OngoingCallListener({
      onCallEnded: () => {
        CometChat.clearActiveCall();
        CometChatCalls.endSession();
        // Close calling screen
      },
      onCallEndButtonPressed: () => {
        CometChat.endCall(sessionId).then(
          () => {
            CometChat.clearActiveCall();
            CometChatCalls.endSession();
            // Close calling screen
          },
          (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => console.log("End call failed:", error)
        );
      },
      onUserJoined: (user: CometChat.User) => console.log("User joined:", user),
      onUserLeft: (user: CometChat.User) => console.log("User left:", user),
      onError: (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => console.log("Call error:", error)
    });

    const callSettings = new CometChatCalls.CallSettingsBuilder()
      .enableDefaultLayout(true)
      .setIsAudioOnlyCall(false)
      .setCallEventListener(callListener)
      .build();

    // Step 3: Render call component
    // <CometChatCalls.Component callSettings={callSettings} callToken={callToken} />
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Token generation failed:", error);
  }
);

For more details on call settings and customization, see the Call Session guide.

End Call

To end an active call in the ringing flow, the process differs based on who ends the call.

User who ends the call:

When the user presses the end call button, the onCallEndButtonPressed() callback is triggered. Inside this callback, call CometChat.endCall() to notify other participants. On success, call CometChat.clearActiveCall() and CometChatCalls.endSession() to release resources.

JavaScript

onCallEndButtonPressed: () => {
  CometChat.endCall(sessionId).then(
    (call) => {
      console.log("Call ended successfully");
      CometChat.clearActiveCall();
      CometChatCalls.endSession();
      // Close the calling screen
    },
    (error) => {
      console.log("End call failed:", error);
    }
  );
}

TypeScript

onCallEndButtonPressed: () => {
  CometChat.endCall(sessionId).then(
    (call: CometChat.Call) => {
      console.log("Call ended successfully");
      CometChat.clearActiveCall();
      CometChatCalls.endSession();
      // Close the calling screen
    },
    (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
      console.log("End call failed:", error);
    }
  );
}

Remote participant (receives onCallEnded() callback):

JavaScript

onCallEnded: () => {
  CometChat.clearActiveCall();
  CometChatCalls.endSession();
  // Close the calling screen
}

TypeScript

onCallEnded: () => {
  CometChat.clearActiveCall();
  CometChatCalls.endSession();
  // Close the calling screen
}

For more details, see the End Call Session guide.

Busy Call Handling

If the receiver is already on another call, you can reject the incoming call with CALL_STATUS_BUSY status.

JavaScript

const sessionId = call.getSessionId();
const status = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.BUSY;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call) => {
    console.log("Busy status sent:", call);
  },
  (error) => {
    console.log("Busy rejection failed:", error);
  }
);

TypeScript

const sessionId: string = call.getSessionId();
const status: string = CometChat.CALL_STATUS.BUSY;

CometChat.rejectCall(sessionId, status).then(
  (call: CometChat.Call) => {
    console.log("Busy status sent:", call);
  },
  (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
    console.log("Busy rejection failed:", error);
  }
);

Best Practices

• Always remove call listeners on component unmount to prevent memory leaks and duplicate events
• Store the sessionId from initiateCall() or onIncomingCallReceived() — you’ll need it for accept, reject, cancel, and starting the session
• Handle the CALL_STATUS_BUSY case when the receiver is already on another call
• Call CometChat.clearActiveCall() and CometChatCalls.endSession() together when a call ends to properly release all resources
• Request camera and microphone permissions before initiating or accepting a call
• Show appropriate UI feedback (spinner, ringing animation) while waiting for the receiver to respond

Troubleshooting

• onIncomingCallReceived not firing: Ensure CometChat.addCallListener() is registered before the call is initiated and that the listener ID is unique
• Call accepted but no audio/video: After acceptCall(), you must start the call session by generating a token and rendering CometChatCalls.Component — see the Start Call Session section above
• Duplicate call events: You may have registered the same listener multiple times — always call CometChat.removeCallListener(listenerId) on unmount
• initiateCall fails with error: Verify the receiver UID/GUID exists and that the logged-in user has an active session
• Call ends immediately after accept: Make sure both caller and receiver generate a call token and render CometChatCalls.Component — if only one side renders the component, the call will appear to drop
• Busy status not working: Ensure you’re using CometChat.CALL_STATUS.BUSY (not REJECTED) when the receiver is already on a call

Next Steps

Call Session

Start and manage the actual call session after the ringing flow completes.

Calls SDK Setup

Install dependencies, configure permissions, and initialize the Calls SDK.

Recording

Record audio and video calls for playback or compliance.

Call Logs

Retrieve and display call history including duration and participants.