WhatsApp Web is about to get voice and video calls: Everything you need to know about the new update

TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jan 21, 2026, 10:28 IST

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WhatsApp Web is about to get voice and video calls: Everything you need to know about the new update

WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging services in the world, is soon going to roll out a very interesting new feature in their web service: voice and video calling. This new addition will, for the first time, enable calling services, until now only possible by smartphones, on computers as well. According to recent reports by WABetaInfo, the new service will enable individual as well as group calling right from web browsers.This update could significantly change how users communicate during work.The integration of the calling feature on WhatsApp Web is a development that has been eagerly anticipated for years, and it is a major step towards uniformity between the web service and the WhatsApp application.

WhatsApp Makes Group Calls Smarter

What WhatsApp Web voice and video calls will offer

This new feature seems to offer several benefits for the online version of WhatsApp:

Cross-device calling: The advantage is that users can make calls and join calls using a desktop and/or laptop without having to download and install a desktop client/application. This is very useful for shared computers and computers used in cybercafes.
Voice and video capabilities: As in other mobile applications, voice calls as well as video calls can be made.
Group calls: Group calls will also be supported on the web platform, but this will initially have smaller maximum numbers of participants, possibly fewer than 32.
Call links: Users will have the ability to create links for inviting other users to join a call. These links may include whether it is a voice or video call.
Notification Controls: Users will be able to control notifications for the call feature from WhatsApp Web, as they can on the mobile version.

This will enable WhatsApp Web users to engage in voice or video chats without depending only on their mobile phones, hereby improving usability for either professional, social, or educational activities.

How group calls will function

The implementation of group calls on WhatsApp Web has been designed to mirror the mobile experience as closely as possible:

Users can create a group call directly from the web interface.
Participants can be invited via a generated link.
Users can join calls seamlessly whether they are on iPhone, Android, or PC.
Audio or video can be selected before entering the call.

This design ensures that participants across different devices can communicate without compatibility issues, a problem sometimes experienced with other messaging platforms.

WhatsApp Web: Scheduling and managing calls

Besides voice and video calling, there is expected to be the following functionality offered by WhatsApp Web, which can further organise calls:

Scheduling calls: Users can schedule their calls in advance for one-on-one conversations or for groups.
Call reminders: Notifications and reminders would make sure participants don't miss calls.
Flexible joining options: Users have the option to connect to a call using a direct link, thus facilitating new or external contacts to join. These are quite helpful in professional and academic contexts, where time and management of participants are decisive factors.

WhatsApp Web new update: Expected release timeline

Although the exact launch date has yet to be announced, it is suggested that the upcoming feature may become available in the next few weeks. This is assuming it is already being developed, which is true, as it is currently available in beta versions.After its launch, WhatsApp Web will for the first time enable a complete calling experience similar to that on other phones, thus filling a gap that the platform has lacked for the last several years.

About the AuthorTOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

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