WhatsApp is working on voice and video calls for group chats on Web
WhatsApp is developing group call support for the web client, allowing all users to participate in calls regardless of the device they are using. This update will bring the web experience closer to the mobile and desktop apps and enable call links and scheduling.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Voice and video calls for group chats |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Thanks: | Sc, for collaborating, testing, and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is working on cover photos with new privacy settings on iOS! |
Group calling support is under development for WhatsApp Web
In a previous post, we announced that WhatsApp was working on bringing calling capabilities to the web client. This update aims to align the desktop app experience with that offered by web technology. For example, 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. This convenience will also give users control over the call notifications they receive from WhatsApp Web.
The feature is currently under development and it is being refined to deliver the best possible experience at launch. In addition, the current development already promises many features that are already available on the Android and iOS apps. Following recent updates to the WhatsApp Web beta, we discovered that WhatsApp is actively developing voice and video calls for group chats.
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to call within their groups directly from the web client. It's worth noting that this feature was partially announced last year, but support for groups was still in a very early stage at the time. However, WhatsApp is now improving the 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.
As with calls made from WhatsApp for Android and iOS, calls placed from the web client will also have certain limitations. Calls with up to 32 participants are expected to be supported, although this will have to be confirmed by WhatsApp upon the official release. This limit is intended to ensure a stable and high-quality calling experience to avoid any interruptions. However, it remains unclear whether WhatsApp will initially introduce group calls with a lower participant cap, such as 8 or 16 users, before gradually expanding support to 32 participants at a later date.
We also mentioned that WhatsApp aims to align user experiences across web technology and desktop and mobile apps. As part of this effort, WhatsApp is also developing a feature that will allow users to create a call link directly from the group chat interface. This feature enables users to instantly generate a shareable link that others can use to join the call. When creating a call link, users will be able to choose whether it is for a voice or video call, just as they can on WhatsApp for Android and iOS.
WhatsApp is also working on the ability to schedule calls, both for individual and group chats. A scheduled call includes a name and description that let others know the purpose of the meeting. When scheduling a call, users will also be able to specify approximate start and end times. It's important to note that scheduling a call does not mean the call will start instantly and automatically. Rather, WhatsApp Web will create an event that will be shared with the users involved so they know in advance when someone is going to initiate the call. As with the call link functionality, users will need to specify whether the scheduled call is for voice or video.
Voice and video calling, the call link, and scheduled call features on WhatsApp Web are under development, and they are planned for release in a future update. Meanwhile, WhatsApp continues to work on delivering more features, improvements, and bug fixes for web calling ahead of the official release. When further details about the calling feature are available, we will let you know in a new post.
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