- WhatsApp Web adds voice and video calls to individual chats, initially for beta users.
- Communications are protected with end-to-end encryption and are integrated with screen sharing.
- Meta prepares group calls for up to 32 participants, links, and scheduled calls from the browser.
- The feature is being rolled out gradually to browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari in Europe and the rest of the world.
WhatsApp Web is no longer just a tool for writing messages from your computer and is now updating with one of the most requested features by users: voice calls and video calls directly from the browserAfter years of rumors, internal testing, and partial rollouts on other platforms, the web version of the popular messaging service is finally starting to offer calls without the need to install additional software.
This new development comes at a time when much of personal and professional communication takes place via computer. With this change, Those who use WhatsApp Web in Spain and the rest of Europe will be able to answer or initiate calls without touching their mobile phone., take advantage of the PC's microphone and camera and, in addition, share the screen during a video call to show documents, presentations or any content displayed on the monitor.
What changes with the arrival of calls on WhatsApp Web
The main new feature is that WhatsApp Web incorporates, within the browser interface itself, Voice and video call icons in individual chatsUntil now, to make a call you had to use your mobile phone or the desktop application for Windows or Mac; the web was limited to sending messages, voice notes and files.
With this update, enough with open a private conversation and press the phone or camera button in the top right To initiate communication, the system allows you to choose between audio or video calls and displays a dedicated call window, without needing to leave the browser tab.
For now, The function focuses on one-to-one callsIn other words, calls can only be made between two people via the website. However, the company is already working on expanding support to allow calls to be made between two people. group calls from WhatsApp Web, something that until now has remained reserved for the mobile app and native desktop clients.
For those who use the computer as the center of their work, the change is significant: use WhatsApp Web It ceases to be a simple "big keyboard" for replying to messages and becomes a complete real-time communication platform
Availability: Who can already use video calls in the browser
The arrival of calls on WhatsApp Web is not happening all at once for all users. According to information shared by specialized portals such as WABetaInfo and European technology media outlets, The feature is being activated first in the beta version of WhatsApp WebThat is, in that group of users who are willing to try new features before they are released on a large scale.
In this initial phase, Only some profiles currently see the active call icons in individual chats.Other users, even those on the beta version, may find the new button, but with messages indicating that the feature is not yet operational or that they should use the desktop app. This is part of the gradual rollout Meta is using to iron out bugs before making it available to everyone.
The company has spent over a year fine-tuning this integration, conducting internal tests and adjusting the experience to optimize call behavior. be as similar as possible to the mobile app or the desktop appThis testing period includes verifying stability across different browsers and systems, and ensuring that audio and video quality meets minimum expectations.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, The functionality is also being rolled out gradually.No firm dates have been announced. Sources indicate that, after this beta phase, calls will begin appearing in the stable version of WhatsApp Web in the coming weeks, as Meta expands its servers and validates that the additional load is handled smoothly.
How voice and video calls work on WhatsApp Web
The functionality is designed to be familiar to those who already use WhatsApp on their mobile phone or desktop app. Within each individual chat, in the top bar, two icons appear: one of a phone and another of a camera.Clicking opens a panel that allows you to choose between a voice call or a video call, depending on what you need at any given time.
When a call is initiated from the browser, A specific window with the basic controls is displayed.: mute the microphone, turn the camera on or off, hang up, or, in the case of video calls, share the screen. This window can be docked or left floating so you can continue using the chat or check other messages while the conversation is ongoing.
The person receiving the call does not have to be on WhatsApp Web to answer. Calls work across versions: you can call someone from your browser who is using the Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac app, and vice versa.For the user on the other end, the notification arrives like any other WhatsApp call, regardless of the device used.
The deployment is based on "native" support within the web client. It is not an external extension or a browser trick. but rather a feature officially integrated into the WhatsApp Web interfaceThis makes it easier to ensure consistent behavior and manage privacy, audio, and video settings from within the platform itself.
Experience, in practice, allows for something as simple as Answer a call using your laptop headset while working, without having to search for your mobile phone. around the house or switch devices for a two-minute conversation.
End-to-end encryption and security also in the web version
One of the points that generates the most doubt when talking about calls from the browser It's about security. In this case, WhatsApp maintains its usual approach: Voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web are protected with end-to-end encryptionusing the Signal protocol, the same one used in the mobile app and the rest of the official clients.
In practical terms, this means that The content of the call can only be heard or seen on the participants' devices.Neither WhatsApp, nor Meta, nor any third parties intercepting the traffic can access the audio or video without the key, which resides only on the devices involved in the conversation.
This security approach seeks to dispel the feeling that the web is a kind of "cut-down version" in terms of privacy. The company emphasizes that the level of protection is the same, whether the call is made from Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac or from a browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or SafariFor users in Europe, where data protection regulations are particularly strict, this point is not insignificant.
Obviously, it is still important to consider the device from which the call is made. If you are using a shared computer or an open work environment, it is advisable to check your microphone and camera permissions....as well as checking what's displayed on the screen when using the sharing option. Ultimately, technical security comes down to common sense.
Screen sharing: the other big feature coming to WhatsApp Web
Along with calls, WhatsApp Web includes an option that can make a difference in everyday life: the ability to share your screen during a video callThis feature was already available in the desktop apps and is now making the leap to the browser.
It's easy to use: Once the video call has started, a button appears to activate the "Share screen" option.When you press it, the browser asks what you want to display (the entire screen, a specific window, or a specific tab). From there, the other person sees in real time what is being displayed on the computer.
This tool is especially useful for Show documents, review presentations, explain an online procedure, or help someone with a form or configuration.without having to send dozens of screenshots. It's a very similar approach to that of the most widely used videoconferencing platforms in work or educational settings, but integrated into an application that many people already use daily.
It should be noted that The screen sharing option is only available in video calls.Voice calls do not allow you to display the monitor's contents. Furthermore, before activating it, it's advisable to check which windows or tabs are open to avoid displaying information you didn't intend to show—a common practice with any screen-sharing tool.
With this move, WhatsApp Web positions itself as A simple alternative for small meetings, quick tutorials, or consultations with colleagues, without needing to coordinate on another specific platform, which often saves time and intermediate steps.
Group calls, links, and scheduled calls: what comes next
Although the most visible novelty today is the individual voice and video calls on the webMeta already has its sights set on the next phase of features. Various references present in the code and in the beta versions suggest that Group calls will also be coming to WhatsApp Web once the initial testing phase has been completed.
The plans involve offering Calls with up to 32 participants from the browserGradually bringing the experience in line with that of the mobile app and desktop clients. This capability would open the door to family gatherings, work groups, or online classes without abandoning the web version.
Furthermore, evidence has been detected of call links and scheduled callsThe first would allow generating a link to share with other people, so that they can join a specific call with a single click, something already very common in professional videoconferencing platforms.
Scheduled calls, meanwhile, would facilitate Schedule meetings in advance directly from WhatsAppsetting a date and time and sending a reminder to participants. Although these features are not yet available to the general public, their presence in the beta suggests that the company wants the web version to be more than just a messaging add-on.
If all these options eventually arrive, WhatsApp Web will be positioned as an intermediate point between classic messaging apps and the most complete video conferencing tools, with the advantage of already being integrated into the regular communication flow of millions of people in Europe.
Impact on browser-dependent users
For many users, especially in office, education, or hybrid work environments, WhatsApp Web is the primary way to use the service during the dayHaving the client open in a browser tab allows you to respond quickly, manage groups, and share files without constantly switching to your mobile screen.
Until now, that convenience had a clear limitation: Whenever a call was needed, you had to switch devices or open the desktop appWith the addition of voice and video calls, this leap is no longer mandatory, which greatly simplifies the workflow, especially for those who spend most of their time in front of a computer.
This new feature is also relevant for users of systems where there is no official desktop client. like many Linux environments in EuropeIn these cases, the website is the main gateway to the service, and the ability to call directly from the browser avoids having to constantly rely on a mobile phone for such a basic function as talking.
For everyday use, having a laptop camera, a better quality microphone, or comfortable headphones, plus a large screen, It makes long video calls and work conversations more bearable.Although WhatsApp does not intend to replace all professional platforms, it does cover a good number of real-world situations without the user having to learn to use a new tool.
With all these changes, WhatsApp Web takes a leap that many have been waiting for: It goes from being a stripped-down version designed for comfortable typing to becoming a complete tool with voice calls, video calls, end-to-end encryption, and screen sharing.Although the feature is being rolled out gradually and, for now, is focused on individual chats and beta users, Meta's plan is to extend it to the stable version, add group calls, and include advanced options such as links and scheduled meetings, thus bringing the browser experience closer to that of other WhatsApp platforms.