Host Requirements for Integrated Video

Prior to hosting a session with integrated video on Handshake, we recommend reviewing the requirements included in this resource, adjusting your setup as needed, and testing your setup using our Handshake Video Test. 

Topics: 

• System setup and settings minimum requirements
• Mac system requirements for screen sharing
• Windows 10 required settings for camera and mic
• Required firewall and network settings 

System setup and settings minimum requirements 

• An internet connection — broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
• Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
• **Optional, but required if you'd like to use video: A webcam or HD webcam — built-in or USB plug-in  
  • Tip: if you're using a webcam that isn't built in to your device, make sure any additional permissions/settings are configured prior to your scheduled virtual interaction!
• Desktop or laptop computer — mobile devices (smart phones and tablets, e.g. iPads) are only supported for students using our mobile app on iOS and Android.
• Modern desktop web browser which supports WebRTC — make sure pop-ups are allowed in the browser!
  • We support the latest versions of:
    • Chrome 
    • Safari – users are limited to sharing the full screen and cannot choose individual apps/browser windows, etc.
    • Firefox
    • MS Edge — older, non-Chromium versions of Microsoft Edge (versions less than 79) do not support screen sharing capabilities.
  • Each browser has its own security and privacy settings that may require you to grant permission for the microphone and camera to be used by Handshake.

Note: Hosts may be able to launch sessions via mobile web (via smart phone or tablet, e.g. iPad) successfully, however, this is not officially supported by Handshake and has several limitations:

• On any mobile web access, hosts are unable to share their screen.
• On iOS devices, hosts will only be able to use Safari, as Apple does not allow third party browsers access to the device camera or microphone.
• On Android devices, the camera and microphone should be able to be accessed by any browser.

Mac system requirements for screen sharing

To share a screen or window on a Mac, you must give each specific browser or app permission.

1. Open System Preferences, then select Security & Privacy.

2. Click the lock in the lower-right corner to authenticate for changes.

3. Select the Privacy tab, select Screen Recording, then check the box for the desired browser.

If the browser is open when you change this setting, you must quit and reopen the browser for the changes to take effect.

• Tip: for a smooth experience, make sure this permission is granted prior to your session start time!

Windows 10 required settings for camera and mic

Windows has its own privacy settings for microphone & camera that are independent of the browser. In most cases, this is turned off by default. 

There are two settings pages:

• Settings > Privacy > Microphone
• Settings > Privacy > Camera

Both pages have two toggles:

• Allow apps to use my microphone/camera (used for built-in Microsoft apps from their app store)
• Allow desktop apps to use my microphone/camera (used for things like browsers and Zoom)

The second toggle (for desktop apps) can only be enabled if the first is enabled, so you will need to turn both toggles on in both places for your browser to be able to access their mic and camera.

If you are having issues connecting your AirPods on Windows 10, follow the steps below: 

• Open the Windows Device Manager.
• Click the View tab and select the ‘devices by type‘ option.
• Once there, open the Human Interface Devices and locate the 2 AirPods entries below:

1. (Name) AirPods Audio/Video Remote Control HID
2. (Name) AirPods Hands-Free Call Control HID

• For each of the above entries, right-click and select Properties.
• Click the Power Management tab and uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

If the Airpods do not appear under Human Interface Devices, follow the alternate steps below: 

1. Open the Windows Device Manager and click on Bluetooth.
2. Right-click Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth and click the Power Management tab.
3. Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. 

Note: You will need to have administrator access to the computer in order to adjust these settings.

Required firewall and network settings 

These domains should be unblocked: 

• app.joinhandshake.com
• joinhandshake.com 
• *.googleusercontent.com 

Browsers must communicate with Twilio’s cloud, in addition to the standard Handshake domains. The following hosts, ports/protocols and IP ranges are required:

Additionally, browsers should be able to connect to the services at the following hostnames:

• sdkgw.us1.twilio.com (WSS/443)
• endpoint.twilio.com
• mobile-endpoint.twilio.com