After years of waiting, WhatsApp has finally brought voice and video calling to its web application. This update eliminates the need to switch between your browser and desktop app for calls, streamlining your workflow significantly.
WhatsApp Web now supports direct voice and video calls through your browser, matching functionality previously exclusive to the desktop app. The feature launched in early February 2026 as a gradual rollout, starting with beta testers and select users before expanding to everyone. The rollout prioritizes one-on-one calls first to ensure stability, with group calls (up to 32 participants) still in development.
Key Capabilities
The implementation mirrors the mobile app experience closely. Within any individual chat, you’ll find dedicated “Voice” and “Video” buttons at the top, making it easy to start calls with a single click. All calls use WebRTC technology and maintain end-to-end encryption through the Signal protocol, ensuring your conversations remain private.
During video calls, you can enable screen sharing—a particularly useful addition for remote work, presentations, or troubleshooting sessions. Your video feed appears in a resizable window that you can drag around or minimize as needed. On-screen controls let you mute your microphone, switch cameras (if using external webcams), or end the call without fumbling through menus.
Incoming calls trigger pop-up notifications that you can accept or decline with a quick tap, keeping interruptions minimal while you work on other tasks.
Browser and System Requirements
The feature works across major browsers including Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Edge on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. This cross-platform support means Linux users finally get calling functionality without needing an unofficial desktop app.
You’ll need to grant microphone, camera, and screen access permissions when your browser prompts you—standard for any web-based calling application. For hardware, a built-in or external microphone and camera are required for voice and video respectively, along with speakers or headphones for audio output.
Internet connectivity matters more than you might expect. WhatsApp recommends at least 1 Mbps upload and download speeds for clear calls, though the system adapts quality based on your available bandwidth. A stable broadband connection will give you the best experience.
Important Limitations
There’s one critical requirement: your phone must stay connected to the internet and run the latest WhatsApp app version. Unlike the desktop app which can operate independently after initial setup, the web version continuously mirrors your phone’s connection. If your phone goes offline or runs an outdated WhatsApp version, web calling won’t work.
Currently, only one-on-one calls are supported. Group calling for up to 32 participants is under development but not yet available. WhatsApp hasn’t published technical specifications for codecs, resolution limits, or frame rates, so you’ll need to test call quality on your specific setup.
Bluetooth device pairing works through your system settings rather than WhatsApp directly. If you want hands-free calling with Bluetooth headphones or speakers, configure them in your operating system first.
Who Should Use This Feature
This feature shines for people who spend most of their day in a browser and want to avoid app-switching. If you’re already using WhatsApp Web for messaging, adding calls to the same interface creates a more seamless workflow.
Remote workers and teams will appreciate the screen sharing capability during video calls, making it easier to collaborate, demonstrate software, or provide technical support without additional tools.
Linux users gain the most significant benefit, as browser-based calling eliminates dependency on the desktop app that doesn’t officially support their platform.
Who Should Wait
If you rely heavily on group calls, wait until that functionality rolls out. The current one-on-one limitation makes this unsuitable for team meetings or family catchups with multiple participants.
Anyone with an unreliable internet connection or frequent phone connectivity issues should stick with the desktop app, which offers more independence from your mobile device.
WhatsApp Web’s calling feature represents a meaningful step toward feature parity across platforms. The implementation is straightforward, security remains solid with end-to-end encryption, and the browser-based approach offers genuine convenience for web-centric workflows.
The phone dependency and lack of group calling are notable drawbacks, but for individual calls during your work day, this update delivers exactly what it promises: the ability to handle WhatsApp calls without leaving your browser. As the rollout expands and group calling arrives, this will become an essential tool for WhatsApp users who live in their web browsers.
For now, it’s worth trying if you’re a beta user or have access. The gradual expansion approach suggests WhatsApp is prioritizing stability over speed—a smart choice that should result in a reliable experience once it reaches your account.