WhatsApp Web now supports audio and video calls — and you can switch devices mid-call
WhatsApp rolled out audio and video calling on its web app on July 28, 2026, closing a long-standing gap between the browser version and the mobile app. The update brings group and one-on-one calls to any browser — no app install needed — with end-to-end encryption on every call. For anyone stuck on a work computer where app downloads are blocked, it's a meaningful alternative to Zoom or Teams.
The features
The web calling update matches what the mobile app already offers. Screen sharing, in-call reactions, call history, and favorite contacts are all there. There's no time limit on calls.
The headline addition is call transfer. Start a call on your phone, then move to your laptop or browser tab without hanging up. WhatsApp says the handoff works across smartphone, tablet, desktop app, and web — in any direction. 9to5Mac rollout timeline confirms the seamless transfer language matches Meta's official announcement.
Group calls get a waiting room: organizers can require approval before participants join, which adds a layer of control missing from basic WhatsApp group calls. Two other additions — background noise suppression and QuickHD — round out the package. QuickHD pushes high-definition video within the first few seconds of a call rather than starting blurry and sharpening up over time.
What it means in practice
All of this runs in a standard browser with an internet connection. No download, no plugin. For hybrid workers who hot-desk or regularly move between a phone and a shared office computer, the call transfer feature is the most practically useful change here.
The Meta official announcement confirms end-to-end encryption applies to web calls, which matters for workplace IT teams weighing whether to allow WhatsApp as a conferencing tool. Enterprise security aside, the no-install setup also works for anyone borrowing a family member's computer or traveling without their usual device.
Gradual rollout
WhatsApp isn't switching everything on at once. The rollout started July 28, but features are reaching users over the coming weeks — so if you open WhatsApp Web today and don't see a call button, check back soon. No fixed date has been confirmed for full availability in the US or UK.
