WhatsApp is rolling out a massive update to its web client, and it finally includes support for audio and video calls.
Since it is built right into WhatsApp Web, there is nothing extra to download or install. You also get screen sharing, message reactions, and a handy Calls tab to view your complete call history and favourite contacts.
Just like on the mobile app, every call made through WhatsApp Web is end-to-end encrypted, completely free, and has no time restrictions. A particularly neat trick is call handoff, which lets you shift an active call between your phone, web browser, or desktop app without dropping the line or having to redial.
If you share a call link, you can now toggle on an approval requirement. This places incoming participants into a waiting room until you manually let them in. WhatsApp is also introducing noise suppression to filter out unwanted background chatter, which you can easily toggle in your call settings.
On the video front, stream quality now hits high definition straight away, so you will no longer have to wait for the video to sharpen up. According to WhatsApp, all these new features are rolling out gradually and should land on everyone’s accounts soon.