Getting Started with Portal
Set up your device
What you need to set up your Meta Portal
Before setting up your Portal, make sure to review our health and safety guidelines.
>To set up your Portal, you need the following:
- A Portal, Portal Mini or Portal+.
- Your Portal's power cord.
- A Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace account.
- A high-speed, wireless internet connection.
- A clean, flat and stable location to place your Portal device.
Learn more about how to set up your Portal.
Items included with your Meta Portal
Before you set up your Meta Portal, make sure you have all the items that should be included in your Meta Portal box.
The following items should be included in your Meta Portal or Meta Portal Mini box:
- Meta Portal or Meta Portal Mini.
- Power cord.
- Quick Start Guide.
The following items should be included in your Meta Portal+ box:
- Meta Portal+.
- Power cord.
- Camera Cover.
- Quick Start Guide.
- The items included in your Meta Portal box are everything you need to start using Meta Portal, Meta Portal Mini and Meta Portal+.
- You can purchase additional accessories to go with your Meta Portal, Meta Portal Mini or Meta Portal+ separately.
Set up your Meta Portal
Before setting up your Portal:
- Review our health and safety guidelines.
- To set up your Portal, you'll need a Facebook or WhatsApp account.
You can use a screen reader to set up your Portal, If you're having trouble using your Portal's touch screen during setup, learn more about turning off accessibility options.
To turn on your device:
- Slide the cover off your box, open the box and pull the device towards you.
- Remove plastic packaging. If the plastic packaging is covering your microphone, you will have trouble making calls and using assistants.
- Place your Portal on a stable flat surface, like a tabletop or counter. Do not place your Portal near areas where it might get wet, sources of heat or where it may be tipped over easily. (example: near sinks, showers, pools, stoves, ovens, or radiators.)
- Plug the power cord into the back of your device. If your Portal comes with a charging dock, learn how to set up Portal Go.
- Make sure the included power cord is fully plugged into your Portal before plugging it into an appropriate outlet:
- Your Portal works when connected to a rated AC power source with 100V to 240V AC at 50Hz to 60Hz. Please review health and safety guidelines for more information.
- Arrange any cables and cords so that people and pets are not likely to trip over or accidentally pull on them as they move around or walk near the Portal.
- Leave at least 2 feet between your Portal and any walls for best call quality.
Your device will power on automatically. To turn the camera off, you can slide the camera cover over it. Or you can press the camera and microphone off button at the top of the device.
To set up your profile:
Once your Portal is plugged in, follow the on-screen instructions to begin setup. If you are visually impaired and need assistance setting up your Portal, you can activate TalkBack by placing two fingers on the screen and holding down.
Follow the on-screen instructions to do things like choose your preferred language, connect to WiFi and connect with Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace accounts.
If you have trouble setting up your device, these articles may help:
- Wifi troubleshooting tips.
- Forgot my Facebook password.
- If you're having trouble using your Portal's touchscreen during setup, you may have turned on talkback.
When you have finished connecting an account, follow the remaining on-screen instructions to complete setup. You can do things like:
- Connect your Portal to music accounts.
- Set up voice interactions like "Hey Portal" and Alexa.
- Display your photos.
How do I set up passcodes for my Portal?
To secure your Portal, you can set up passcodes for your account and device.
You can use this passcode to authenticate certain actions instead of logging into your Facebook account. Each Facebook account can set up their own password. If you can’t remember your Facebook password, visit the Facebook Help Center.
To set your account passcode:
- From Apps
, tap Settings
.
- Tap Profiles, then tap your profile.
- Tap Passcode.
- Tap next to Use Passcode to turn on or off.
- Confirm your login.
- Enter your 4-digit passcode.
- Re-enter your 4-digit passcode.
To change your account passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles, then tap your profile.
- Tap Passcode, then tap Change Passcode.
- Enter your current passcode.
- Enter your new 4-digit passcode.
- Re-enter your new 4-digit passcode.
You can use this passcode to keep your Portal screen locked when it's not in use. This passcode will be required to return to Home after your Portal is not in use, but you can still use voice commands to make and receive calls.
While your Portal is locked, you won't be able to add additional contacts to a call.
To set your Portal passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap the Privacy tab and then tap Screen Lock. (If prompted, select who's making changes and log in with your Facebook account.)
- Enter the 4-12 digit passcode for your device and tap the Checkmark.
- Re-enter your 4-12 digit passcode and tap the Checkmark to confirm your passcode.
To change your Portal passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap the Privacy tab and then tap Change Passcode.
- Select who's making changes and log in with your Facebook account.
- Enter your old passcode and tap the Checkmark.
- Enter your new passcode, reenter the new passcode, and then tap the Checkmark to confirm your new passcode.
Set up or change the Wi-Fi network on your Meta Portal
During the initial setup of your Portal, you'll choose and connect to a Wi-Fi network. You can change your Portal's Wi-Fi network at any time.
To change your Portal's Wi-Fi network:
- From Apps
- Tap General.
- Tap Wi-Fi.
- Select the network you'd like to connect to, enter your Wi-Fi password, and tap Join.
Learn more about what you can do if your Portal can’t find your Wi-Fi router (internet connection device).
Languages supported on Meta Portal
Portal currently supports:
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
Additional language support may be added in the future.
Add and manage accounts
Set up your accounts on your Meta Portal
You need a Facebook, WhatsApp, or Workplace account to set up your Portal. Some features, including “Hey Portal,” Facebook Watch, Facebook Gaming, Facebook Live and display settings aren't available when you set up your Portal with WhatsApp only or when a WhatsApp-only login exists on a shared device.
If you’ve set up your Portal with a Facebook account, you’ll still be able to connect your WhatsApp account to your Portal.
Learn how to set up your Portal.
How do I add or remove profiles from my Portal?
You can have up to 5 profiles linked to your Portal. These accounts can be Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace accounts.
Only invite people you trust to add a profile to your Portal. When someone adds their Facebook account on your Portal, their Facebook friends and Messenger connections will become contacts on your Portal, and you will be able to call their contacts. To add WhatsApp contacts to your Portal, connect your WhatsApp account to your Portal.
To add a profile to your Portal:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles or Accounts.
- Tap Add Account or Add Profile.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace account, then tap Next.
- Have the person you'd like to add to your Portal select the account(s) they would like to add, then tap Next.
- Have the person you'd like to add follow the on-screen instruction to log in with their Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace account.
- Tap Next.
If you are having trouble with your Facebook account, visit the Facebook Help Center
When someone adds a profile, they’ll be able to:
- See, hear, and delete all of your Portal’s voice interactions in Portal Settings or on their Facebook Activity Log.
- Make changes to voice interaction settings on your Portal, which will apply to your voice interactions.
- Use and change other settings on your Portal, which may apply across your Portal.
- Add profiless to or remove profiles from your Portal, which could include removing your account.
- Add photos or connect to third party services on your Portal.
- View and access any information you use or access on your Portal, including the ability to view and call your contacts.
To remove a profile from your Portal:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles or Accounts.
- Tap the profile you'd like to remove.
- Tap Remove Profile or Remove Account and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Tap Remove to confirm.
- You can also remove your own profile from your Portal from the Security and Login menu in your Facebook settings. If your Facebook account is deleted, deactivated or you change your Facebook password, your account will also be removed from your Portal. Anyone who uses a Portal not just another owner, can view and call all contacts, manage favorites, see photos added to your Portal, and use third-party services connected to your Portal.
- Removing a profile from your Portal will remove the contacts, photos and other data associated with that account, and will remove the profile holder from certain connected third party apps.
- Removing all accounts that are connected to a Portal will automatically factory reset that Portal.
- If one of multiple account holders is removed from your Portal, call history on the Portal will remain but it will no longer show that the removed account holder initiated a call.
- Learn more about adding and removing accounts on Portal TV.
How do I set up passcodes for my Portal?
To secure your Portal, you can set up passcodes for your account and device.
You can use this passcode to authenticate certain actions instead of logging into your Facebook account. Each Facebook account can set up their own password. If you can’t remember your Facebook password, visit the Facebook Help Center.
To set your account passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles, then tap your profile.
- Tap Passcode.
- Tap next to Use Passcode to turn on or off.
- Confirm your login.
- Enter your 4-digit passcode.
- Re-enter your 4-digit passcode.
To change your account passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles, then tap your profile.
- Tap Passcode, then tap Change Passcode.
- Enter your current passcode.
- Enter your new 4-digit passcode.
- Re-enter your new 4-digit passcode.
You can use this passcode to keep your Portal screen locked when it's not in use. This passcode will be required to return to Home after your Portal is not in use, but you can still use voice commands to make and receive calls.
While your Portal is locked, you won't be able to add additional contacts to a call.
To set your Portal passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap the Privacy tab and then tap Screen Lock. (If prompted, select who's making changes and log in with your Facebook account.)
- Enter the 4-12 digit passcode for your device and tap the Checkmark.
- Re-enter your 4-12 digit passcode and tap the Checkmark to confirm your passcode.
To change your Portal passcode:
- From Apps
- Tap the Privacy tab and then tap Change Passcode.
- Select who's making changes and log in with your Facebook account.
- Enter your old passcode and tap the Checkmark.
- Enter your new passcode, reenter the new passcode, and then tap the Checkmark to confirm your new passcode.
Manage household mode on Meta Portal
With household mode you can limit which contacts and apps people in your home can access on Portal. Contacts and apps you add to household mode can be accessed without a passcode. All other contacts and most apps will require a passcode.
Once you turn on household mode, household contacts can be accessed by anyone in your home. Anyone with a Portal profile can turn on and manage household mode.
To turn on household mode:
- From Apps, tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Access.
- Toggle next to Household Mode to turn household mode on and off.
Household contacts can be accessed by anyone in your home.
To make a contact a household contact:
- From Apps, tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Access.
- Tap Household Contacts, then tap Add Household Contacts.
- Tap next to the contacts you want to add, then tap Add.
Contacts you add can be called by anyone in your home. Calls will appear from your account. The call will also be listed in that person’s Your Facebook Information tools.
You will need to enter your passcode or choose your profile to make a call to a contact that is not a household contact.
When Portal is in Household Mode, any Rooms that people with profiles have been invited to will show on Portal’s home screen, you will need to enter your passcode or choose your profile before joining the Room.
When you turn on household mode anyone in your home can access household apps.
To add apps to household mode:
- From Apps, tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Access.
- Tap Household Apps.
- Tap next to the apps you want to allow others to access without a passcode.
If you tap next to Download Apps, anyone in your home can download an app. When someone downloads a new app to your Portal, update your household apps in settings to add it to household mode.
- People without profiles will also be able to view and change certain settings on the Portal when Household Mode is turned on.
- Users with profiles will be responsible for what other users do on the Portal as set out in the Supplemental Portal Terms of Service.
Add a WhatsApp account to your Meta Portal
To set up your Portal with a WhatsApp account:
Learn how to set up your Portal using a WhatsApp account. Some features, including “Hey Portal,” Facebook Watch, Facebook Gaming and Facebook Live aren't available when you set up your Portal with WhatsApp only or when a WhatsApp-only login exists on a shared device.
To connect your WhatsApp account to your Portal:
- From Apps
- Tap Profiles.
- Tap [Your name].
- Tap Connect WhatsApp. You may be asked to confirm your login to make changes.
- Tap the box next to By checking, you agree to receive messages from Portal on WhatsApp, then tap Continue.
- Tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Tap Done.
Calling
Call options on Meta Portal
You can make and receive calls:
- To and from Facebook friends and WhatsApp contacts of connected accounts.
- Using Messenger Rooms.
- Using apps like Workplace, Zoom, Webex and BlueJeans.
You can't call Messenger connections that don't have Facebook accounts or upload contacts from your phone. Learn more about adding or removing contacts.
To make a call say:
- "Hey Portal, call [contact name]."
- Hey Portal, answer.“
- "Hey Portal, hang up."
"Hey Portal" may ask you to confirm which contact you're trying to call by saying "Yes", "No" or by saying the full name of the contact you're trying to call.
If you have a Facebook and WhatsApp account connected to your device, voice commands will automatically default to your Messenger contacts. To call someone on WhatsApp you can say, "Hey Portal, call [contact name] on WhatsApp" or change your Default Call Provider to WhatsApp.
To make WhatsApp your Default Call Provider:
- From Apps
- Tap General, then tap next to Default Calling Provider to turn on or off.
When you change your Default Call Provider to WhatsApp, all calls made from "Hey Portal" will be made on WhatsApp, unless you say "Hey Portal, call [contact name] on Messenger."
To make a call:
- From Apps
- Tap the contact you'd like to call.
- Make a selection to start your call.
To answer a call:
When receiving a call, tap Answer to join the call.
To end a call:
- During a call, tap your Portal screen to expose the call menu.
- Tap
to end the call.
During a call you can do things like:
- Move and talk freely while Portal's Smart Camera and Smart Sound adjust to keep you audible and in the frame.
- Add more friends to the call.
- Use AR effects and Story Time.
- Turn your microphone or camera off.
- Control your camera during a call.
- Use Facebook Watch.
- Portal calls can only be received on Portal devices, on the Messenger app on mobile phones or tablets, on messenger.com or facebook.com, or on WhatsApp on mobile phones. Calling on messenger.com or facebook.com is only available using the browsers Chrome or Opera.
- In order to call a WhatsApp contact from your Portal, the contact must have WhatsApp open or in standby mode on their mobile phone.
- If you have trouble with WhatsApp calls on Portal, make sure you've both joined Multi-Device Beta. Visit the WhatsApp help center to learn how to join Multi-Device Beta.
Make group calls on your Meta Portal
You can make group calls on your Portal using your Portal contacts, Messenger Rooms, and other apps. Other call participants do not need a Portal to join the call.
Make a group call on your Portal
- From Apps, tap Group Call
- Tap the people you'd like to add to your call.
- When the person you're adding to the call answers, they will join the group call.
Keep in mind, when you make a call from your Portal contacts, you can't have both Messenger and WhatsApp users on the same call.
Group calls with Messenger connections
With Portal, you can add up to 7 Messenger connections to a call for a total of 8 people, including yourself. You or other connections on your call can add any Facebook friends or Messenger connections to your call.
Group calls with WhatsApp contacts
A total of 4 participants can be on a group call. However, if a call is started from WhatsApp on an Android phone or iPhone, you can have a total of 8 participants, including yourself. You or other contacts on your call can add any WhatsApp contacts to your call. In order to call any WhatsApp contact from your Portal, the contact must have WhatsApp open or in standby mode on their mobile phone.
Assistant
How do “Hey Portal” voice commands work?
“Hey Portal” is a wake word that lets you use your Portal hands-free to make requests or ask questions using your voice. Unless you turn the Portal device’s microphone off, the Portal device listens for a wake word to activate voice services.
If voice services are available to you, say “Hey Portal” when you want Portal to start a video call, check the weather or respond to other commands.
WhatsApp Accounts
If your Portal is connected only to your WhatsApp account or your voice interaction occurs during a WhatsApp call, Portal will still respond to the wake word, but your voice interactions are not stored or accessible. Voice interactions occurring during a WhatsApp call are not sent to Facebook servers.
“Hey Portal” availability varies. Learn more about “Hey Portal” availability.
What voice commands can I use with Hey Portal?
Say “Hey Portal” get help with calling, music, timers, alarms, weather and more. See below for examples of commands you can use.
- “Hey Portal, call [contact name].”
- “Hey Portal, hang up.”
- “Hey Portal, end call.”
- “Hey Portal, answer.”
- “Hey Portal, cancel.”
- “Hey Portal, stop.”
- “Hey Portal, play [artist name].”
- “Hey Portal, play [music genre].”
- “Hey Portal, play [song title].”
- “Hey Portal, pause.”
- "Hey Portal, who sang [song title]?"
- "Hey Portal, what was [artist name's] debut album called?"
- "Hey Portal, who are the members of [group name]?"
- "Hey Portal, when was [artist name] born?"
- "Hey Portal, who is the lead singer of [group name]?"
To use Portal music commands, you must be logged into a streaming service and your command must be compatible with your subscription.
- “Hey Portal, wake up.”
- “Hey Portal, turn up the volume.”
- “Hey Portal, open web browser.”
These commands will put your Portal in “sleep” mode.
- “Hey Portal, go to sleep.”
- “Hey Portal, turn off.”
- “Hey Portal, off.”
- “Hey Portal, sleep.”
- “Hey Portal, shut down.”
- “Hey Portal, set a timer for [date and time].”
- “Hey Portal, stop timer.”
- “Hey Portal, cancel timer.”
- “Hey Portal, how much time is left on the timer?”
- “Hey Portal, set an alarm for [date and time].”
- “Hey Portal, stop.”
- “Hey Portal, wake me up at [time and date].”
- “Hey Portal, cancel alarm.”
- “Hey Portal, turn off alarm.”
- “Hey Portal, stop the alarm.”
- “Hey Portal, what’s the weather?” Note that Portal will set your city automatically. If the location isn’t right, learn how to change the weather location on Portal.
- “Hey Portal, is it raining?”
- “Hey Portal, what’s the weather like in [location]?”
- “Hey Portal, will it be sunny tomorrow?”
- “Hey Portal, what will the weather be like at [time]?”
- "Hey Portal, show photos."
- "Hey Portal, show photos from [Location]."
- "Hey Portal, show photos with [Person]."
- "Hey Portal, show photos with [Content]."
- "Hey Portal, show photos from [Time]."
Learn more about using voice interactions with Portal.
How do I change the voice for Hey Portal?
“Hey Portal” uses a voice to respond to questions or commands you say to your Portal. Now, you can change the sound of your assistant voice to one that sounds best to you. This can be changed at any time in your Portal settings.
To change the voice of your assistant:
- From Apps, tap Settings.
- Tap Assistants then ”Hey Portal” and then tap Voice. The options are:
- Low, warm
- Midrange, matter-of-fact
- High, bright
- Low, even
- Midrange, steady
- Midrange, musical
- Choose the voice and tone you like by tapping on the selection.
Connect or disconnect Alexa on your Meta Portal
To use Alexa on your Portal, you must connect an Amazon Alexa account to your Portal. You can connect to Alexa during the setup of your Portal, or from Settings.
Connecting to Alexa adds an Alexa Discovery shortcut to your Apps. Tap the shortcut to access Alexa features and settings.
Connect Alexa
- From Apps
- Tap Assistants.
- Tap Amazon Alexa and tap Connect.
- Go to amazon.com/code on your computer or mobile device and enter the code on your Portal's screen.
Deregister Alexa and remove Alexa Discovery
- From Apps
- Tap Assistants.
- Tap Amazon Alexa, then tap Settings.
- Tap Device Options.
- Tap Deregister.
- Tap Yes.
Learn more about using voice interactions on your Portal.
- The Alexa account connected to Portal isn't linked to a particular Portal account. If one of multiple Portal accounts is removed from your Portal, the Alexa app will remain connected on the device.
- You can also disconnect Alexa by using the Alexa app. Visit the Alexa website to learn more.
Apps
Download new apps to your Meta Portal
After you set up your Portal, you'll have a selection of apps already installed and a selection of apps available for download. Some apps may require additional account login, registration, or payment. App availability differs based on the location where you use Portal. See portal.facebook.com/usage for more information.
To add new apps to your Portal:
- From your home screen, tap Apps
- Tap Apps
.
- Tap Get next to the app you'd like to download.
To add new websites:
You can use your Portal browser to visit websites on your Portal. You can add popular websites to Home and shortcuts to these websites will show up next to your apps.
- From your home screen, tap Apps
- Tap Apps
- Tap Websites, then tap Get next to the website you'd like to add to Home.
Learn more about how to use the browser on Portal.
Meta Portal care tips
Check portal.facebook.com/safety for the most up-to-date information on health and safety. Follow the recommendations and warnings there.
To take care of your Portal, follow these tips:
Picking a location:
- Set up your Portal on a flat, stable surface where it’s not likely to tip or fall.
- Set up and keep your Portal indoors in a well-ventilated, climate-controlled location. Your Portal may get warm during use, which is normal.
- Keep your Portal and its cord away from food, water or other liquids.
- Keep your Portal and its cord away from sources of heat like stoves, ovens or radiators.
Cord care:
- When setting up Portal, plug the cord into the device first, then into an appropriate outlet.
- Arrange the cord so it’s out of reach for children and pets, and no one will trip on it.
- Shut down and unplug your Portal before moving it.
- Unplug your Portal’s cord from the outlet first, then from the device.
- Only use the included power cord with your Portal.
Cleaning your Portal:
- Use a clean, soft dry cloth to clean the screen and outside of your Portal.
- Only clean the outside of your Portal. Don't attempt to open your Portal or to clean inside any ventilation or other openings.
- Don't use compressed air to clean your Portal.
- Don't use abrasive or harsh chemicals when cleaning your Portal.
If your Portal needs additional service, please contact Meta Store Support at store.facebook.com/help/support for assistance.
Portal TV remote set up
Pair your Meta Portal TV remote
To begin using your Portal TV remote, you will need to pair your remote during setup.
To pair your Portal TV remote during setup:
- Remove the plastic battery tab on the back of your remote control.
- Press Select, when prompted on-screen, to begin pairing the remote to Portal TV. Learn more about how to use your Portal TV remote.
- Follow the on-screen steps to finish setup.
Your Portal remote may require updating. This can take up to 5 minutes, depending on your connection. Make sure you don’t press any buttons or remove the batteries while the update is happening.
To pair your Portal TV remote after performing a factory reset:
Press and hold 
If you're having trouble pairing your Portal TV remote:
Learn more about what to do if you’re having trouble with your Portal TV remote.
Portal Go set up
Set up your Meta Portal Go?
This article only applies to Portal Go.
Portal Go has a built-in battery so you can move it around your home and call from anywhere. Your Portal Go comes with a Portal Go charger to charge your battery.
Before setting up your Portal:
- Review our health and safety guidelines.
- To set up your Portal, you'll need a Facebook or WhatsApp account.
To set up Portal Go:
- Remove plastic packaging. If the plastic packaging is covering your microphone, you will have trouble making calls and using assistants.
- Place the dock on a stable, flat surface with the circular contact pads facing up toward the ceiling.
- Plug the charging doc into a working outlet.
- For the best call quality, make sure to leave at least 2 feet between your Portal Go and any walls.
- Align the bottom slot on your Portal Go with the top of the charging dock and place the device on it.
- Once connected to the charging dock, your device will power on automatically.
After your device is charged you can carry Portal Go by the handle located on the rear of the device. Learn more about your Portal Go battery and what to do if it won’t charge.
To set up your profile:
Once your Portal is plugged in, follow the on-screen instructions to begin setup. If you are visually impaired and need assistance setting up your Portal, you can activate screen reader by holding two fingers on the screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions to do things like choose your preferred language, connect to WiFi and connect with Facebook, WhatsApp or Workplace accounts.
If you have trouble setting up your device, these articles may help:
- Wifi troubleshooting tips.
- Forgot my Facebook password.
- If you're having trouble using your Portal's touchscreen during setup, you may have turned on screen reader.
When you have finished connecting an account, follow the remaining on-screen instructions to complete setup. You can do things like:
- Connect your Portal to music accounts.
- Set up voice interactions like "Hey Portal" and Alexa.
- Display your photos.
Note:
- Always use the official Portal Go charger with your device.
- Excessive heat can damage your Portal Go, so make sure to place your Portal away from areas that may get very hot, such as near cooking surfaces or in direct sunlight. If your device is overheating, you’ll receive a notification. When this happens, stop using it and let the device cool down before continuing to use it.
How does my Portal Go battery work?
This article only applies to Portal Go.
You can check how much battery life you have left by looking at the battery icon. This can be found in the bottom left corner of the home screen and the top right corner in the app screen. Your battery icon will change color as the charge decreases:
- Green: more than 60% charged
- Yellow: less than 60% charged
- Red: less than 20% charged
Your Portal will notify you when the battery is less than 15% and 5%.
Keep your Portal Go docked when you’re not using it to make sure your battery stays charged.
- Always use the official Portal Go charger with your device.
- Excessive heat can damage your Portal Go, so make sure to place your Portal away from areas that may get very hot, such as near cooking surfaces or in direct sunlight. If your device is overheating, you’ll receive a notification. When this happens, stop using it and let the device cool down before continuing to use it.
