WhatsApp Web: Voice & video group calls are coming

WhatsApp is used daily by millions of people, both in their personal lives and at work. While the mobile apps and desktop version have long supported group voice and video calls, the web version has remained significantly limited. That's about to change. A long-standing wish of many users is about to become a reality.

The web version of WhatsApp is particularly important where users don't have their own device or aren't allowed to install software. Especially in offices, on shared computers, or on work machines, the lack of group calls was a clear disadvantage. Now, WhatsApp is working to close this gap and bring the web client's functionality in line with the other versions.

Evolution of group calls in WhatsApp Web

According to WABetaInfo, Meta is currently working on adding support for voice and video group calls to the WhatsApp web client. The feature is still under development and is not yet available to general beta testers.

This means that group calls via WhatsApp Web are planned, but cannot yet be publicly tested. The goal of the new feature is to enable participation in group calls regardless of the device used.

Equal numbers for mobile and desktop versions

The planned expansion aims to bring WhatsApp's web interface functionally on par with the mobile apps and desktop version. This is particularly useful in situations where installing an app is not possible or permitted. WhatsApp Web will thus become significantly more versatile and better suited for professional use, spontaneous meetings, or private group calls directly in the browser.

WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is currently undergoing a technical overhaul of its basic call function. This is intended to make it fully compatible with group chats. Initial indications of group calls on the web surfaced last year, but at that time the feature was in a very early stage of development. Since then, the implementation appears to have progressed significantly further.

Number of participants and possible restrictions

In the long term, WhatsApp Web could support group calls with up to 32 participants. However, a lower limit is likely to be introduced at launch. Initially, eight or 16 participants per group call are conceivable. This limit will be gradually increased as the feature is further tested and improved.

Other planned call features

In addition to group calls, WhatsApp is working on additional features for its web client. These include notifications for incoming calls, shareable call links, and the ability to schedule calls. Scheduled calls will be able to be labeled with a name and description. These enhancements are still under development and may not be available until a later date.

WhatsApp Web is making a major leap in functionality

The planned support for voice and video group calls is an important step for WhatsApp Web. This move transforms the browser client from a simple messaging interface into a fully-fledged communication solution. While there's no concrete release date yet, this development clearly demonstrates WhatsApp's long-term goal of bringing the web version up to the same level of functionality as its other platforms. (Image: Shutterstock / Alex Photo Stock)