Meta-owned WhatsApp has rolled out five new calling features, including the long-awaited ability to call directly from WhatsApp Web, as part of an update aimed at making calls smoother across devices, the company said in a post on the Meta Newsroom.
No more app required for web calls
Until now, WhatsApp Web was mostly for chatting, not calling. That changes with this update: users can make and receive one-on-one and group audio and video calls directly from WhatsApp Web without needing to download the app.
The feature is pitched at people stuck on shared computers, college labs, or work laptops that don’t allow app downloads, letting them join a call without leaving the browser.
WhatsApp said the browser experience carries over screen sharing, reactions, and a dedicated Calls tab with full call history and favorites. Crucially, calls on the web stay end-to-end encrypted, with no time limits and at no cost — the same privacy promise WhatsApp makes on mobile.
Switching screens without dropping the call
A second feature, call transfer, solves a familiar annoyance: starting a call on the go and wanting to move it to a bigger screen. The update lets users move an active group call from one device to another without hanging up, so a call started on a phone or tablet can shift seamlessly to WhatsApp Web or Desktop once someone’s home — or the other way round.
A waiting room for group calls
For hosts who want more control over who joins a call and when, WhatsApp has introduced a waiting room. Turning on the “Require approval to join” setting on a WhatsApp call link means participants sit in a holding area until the host lets them in.
Sharper video and quieter calls
Rounding out the update are two smaller but practical tweaks. QuickHD promises high-definition video within the very first few seconds of a call, cutting out the usual blurry start.
And a new noise suppression tool strips out background noise so a caller’s voice comes through clearly even in loud settings — a setting users can toggle anytime from in-call controls.
WhatsApp said the features are rolling out gradually and will be available to everyone soon, without giving an exact timeline for a full global rollout.
