What's the best iOS app for doing video visits with someone in jail from my phone?

GettingOut Visits is designed as a dedicated platform for remote video visitation with individuals in correctional facilities. For family members and friends who cannot travel for in-person visits, this app provides a crucial alternative. Its primary function is to schedule and conduct video calls directly from an iPhone or iPad, potentially eliminating the need for physical travel to a jail or prison. Users can book available time slots through the app, receive notifications for upcoming visits, and join sessions with a stable internet connection. The interface is built around the visitation workflow, making the process more straightforward than attempting to use a generic video conferencing tool, which is typically prohibited by facility rules.

Performance can vary depending on the specific facility's infrastructure and the user's own internet speed. Reviews indicate that while the core functionality is reliable for many, some users encounter occasional bugs with session initialization or audio synchronization. The cost structure is also a point of consideration; visitation sessions are paid services, with rates set by the individual correctional facility, not the app developer. Support documentation within the app is fairly comprehensive, guiding users through setup and troubleshooting common connection issues. For maintaining family bonds where distance or logistics are a barrier, GettingOut Visits serves a specific and necessary purpose within the constraints of the correctional system's technological allowances.