WhatsApp will add voice and video calling to its web client, according to reports from WhatsApp tracker WABetaInfo. The feature is currently in development and not yet available to beta testers.
Meta's messaging platform will extend call functionality from mobile apps to the browser-based interface. Users will be able to join group calls directly from WhatsApp Web without installing desktop software.
The web client will gain parity with Android and iOS applications that already support voice and video communications. This addresses one of the longest-standing user requests for the web version.
Group calls could eventually support up to 32 participants, though initial deployment may cap at eight or 16 users. WhatsApp reportedly plans to refine the feature before wider release.
Web calling will be particularly useful on shared or work computers where users lack installation permissions. "If you are using a computer that is not your own, you can rely on WhatsApp Web to place calls without installing a native or hybrid desktop app," WABetaInfo noted.
The feature was partially announced last year but group support remained in early development. WhatsApp is now improving basic calling functionality to make it fully compatible with group chats.
"This added compatibility will ensure that all users can participate in group calls, regardless of the device they are using," WABetaInfo stated. The update will enable cross-platform participation from iPhone, Android, and desktop devices.
Additional capabilities include shareable call links that users can generate instantly. When creating links, users will choose between voice or video calls, mirroring functionality available on mobile apps.
WhatsApp is also developing call scheduling features for both individual and group conversations. Users will be able to schedule calls with names and descriptions, though these capabilities may roll out later.
The web client will receive incoming call notifications, bringing it closer to feature parity with native applications. This development follows rival services like FaceTime that already offer seamless device switching.
No official launch date has been announced, but sources suggest the feature could arrive in weeks rather than months. The update represents a significant expansion of WhatsApp's communication capabilities beyond mobile devices.
