WhatsApp Web Adds Native Voice and Video Calls

WhatsApp has begun rolling out native voice and video calling capabilities to its web application, allowing users to make calls directly from their browsers for the first time. The feature, which started appearing this week for participants in the WhatsApp Web beta program, marks a significant upgrade for the browser-based version of the popular messaging service.

The update introduces dedicated voice and video call buttons at the top of individual chat windows, enabling users to initiate one-to-one conversations with a single click, much like on the mobile app or dedicated desktop versions for Windows and Mac. Calls maintain WhatsApp's commitment to privacy through end-to-end encryption via the Signal protocol, ensuring that communications remain secure and inaccessible to the company or third parties. Video calls also support screen sharing, a tool that facilitates real-time collaboration, such as sharing documents or providing remote assistance during work or personal discussions.

This rollout addresses a longstanding limitation of WhatsApp Web, which launched in 2015 primarily as a text-messaging companion to the mobile app. While the desktop applications for Windows and Mac...