WhatsApp brings encrypted voice and video calls to the web
WhatsApp now offers one-on-one and group voice and video calls through a browser, with end-to-end encryption and no time limits.
In Brief
- WhatsApp now supports voice and video calls directly in a web browser.
- Calls remain end-to-end encrypted, with no time limits.
- Group calls, screen sharing and reactions are included.
WhatsApp has begun rolling out calls through the web, letting users hop into audio or video conversations on a computer without downloading a separate app. The feature supports one-on-one and group calls and carries no time limits, according to Engadget. According to Engadget,
The move extends WhatsApp’s encrypted calling beyond phones, meeting a long-standing request from people who live on laptops. Meta is betting that removing the app barrier widens where and how its billions of users talk.
Crucially, WhatsApp says web calls are still end-to-end encrypted — the privacy guarantee that defines the service carries over to the browser.
What WhatsApp web calling includes
Both one-on-one and group calls work in the browser, with the usual call features available: screen sharing, reactions, favorites and call history. Users can also transfer an in-progress call between devices, so moving between mobile and desktop is smooth.
Group calls gain a waiting room for sessions with a “require approval to join” setting, so hosts control who enters. A background-noise minimizer and faster HD video startup round out the additions.
WhatsApp says it is gradually making the features available to all users, so the rollout will land in waves rather than all at once.
Why browser calls matter for WhatsApp
WhatsApp’s reach is enormous, but its calling has been tethered to native apps. Opening the web lowers friction for desktop-first users — students, remote workers, anyone already on a laptop — and keeps them inside the ecosystem.
The encryption pledge is the key trust signal. As more communication moves to browsers, a credible end-to-end guarantee is what separates WhatsApp from less private web-calling alternatives.
For Meta, the feature is quietly strategic: more calling surfaces mean more engagement, and more engagement means more surface area for the company’s broader messaging and commerce ambitions.
Related coverage: Xbox tests free cloud gaming
FAQ
Can you call on WhatsApp without the app?
Yes — WhatsApp now supports one-on-one and group voice and video calls directly in a web browser.
Are web calls encrypted?
WhatsApp says calls on the web remain end-to-end encrypted.
Are there time limits?
No; web calls have no time limits, and group calls include screen sharing and reactions.
