WhatsApp has begun rolling out voice and video calling support on WhatsApp Web, allowing users to make calls directly from a browser without needing the desktop app a long‑awaited update that bridges the gap between the web client and mobile/desktop experiences. The functionality is currently available to select beta users, with broader availability expected soon.
How It Works
To use voice or video calls on WhatsApp Web, eligible users need to:
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Open WhatsApp Web in a browser and connect to their account.
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Enter an individual chat.
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Tap the voice call (phone icon) or video call (camera icon) at the top of the chat window to initiate a call.
Calls are end‑to‑end encrypted, just like on mobile and desktop apps, ensuring privacy and security.
Feature Details & Limits
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Initially, the calling support is limited to one‑on‑one chats and available for users enrolled in the WhatsApp Web beta program.
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Screen sharing is supported during video calls, making it useful for presentations or showing content during conversations.
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Group call support is reportedly in development and may roll out in a future update.
Why This Matters
Until now, WhatsApp Web’s calling capabilities were absent, forcing users to rely on mobile apps or the WhatsApp desktop application to place voice or video calls. With this update, users can now leverage the convenience of a browser for both messaging and calling, especially useful for those working on laptops or desktop computers without installing extra software.
What’s Next
Wider rollout to all users is expected in the coming weeks, with further enhancements like group call support likely to follow. This move could make WhatsApp Web a more complete communication platform and reduce users’ reliance on the mobile app or desktop client.