WhatsApp Web, the browser-based version of the world’s most popular messaging platform, is finally receiving one of its most requested features: voice and video calling.
After nearly a decade since its launch in 2015, WhatsApp Web is now beginning to support real-time calling, marking a major upgrade for desktop users.
According to the latest update, voice and video calls are currently rolling out through the WhatsApp Web beta program. The feature is being introduced gradually, meaning only a limited number of beta users can access it for now. At launch, the calling functionality is restricted to one-to-one voice and video calls, similar to how the feature initially appeared on mobile devices.
In addition to basic calling, WhatsApp Web also supports screen sharing during calls. This enhancement makes the platform more useful for remote work, online meetings, and collaborative discussions, allowing users to share presentations, documents, or their entire screen directly within the browser.
Security remains a key focus for WhatsApp. All voice and video calls made through WhatsApp Web are protected by automatic end-to-end encryption using the Signal protocol. This ensures that conversations remain private and cannot be accessed by third parties, including WhatsApp itself.
While group voice and video calls are not yet available on WhatsApp Web, they are expected to arrive in a future update. Reports suggest that WhatsApp is working on enabling group calls with support for up to 32 participants, bringing the web experience closer to the mobile and desktop apps. Features such as call links and scheduled calls are also anticipated to roll out gradually.
The addition of calling support is a significant step forward for WhatsApp Web, which has long lagged behind the mobile and desktop versions in terms of functionality. Once fully rolled out, users will no longer need to rely on the WhatsApp desktop app or their smartphones to make calls, making the browser version a more complete communication tool.
As the beta testing phase continues, WhatsApp is expected to refine performance and stability before releasing the feature to all users worldwide. This update highlights WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance cross-platform usability and meet the growing demand for seamless communication across devices.