WhatsApp has long offered the ability to place audio and video calls from the mobile app. It recently upgraded the group video calling capacity to 8 participants. WhatsApp Web does not offer the same functionality but allows you to video call your friends via Messenger Rooms. That’s about to change as WhatsApp has now started testing audio and video calls via Whatsapp Web and Desktop in beta.
If you have been selected for the beta test, you will start seeing two buttons next to the contact name. One for audio calls and the other for video calls. They also carry the beta tag, as shown by the tipster in previous leaks.
WhatsApp Desktop Audio Call
When you tap the audio call button, you will see a pop-up at the top right (shown in the first image). It will carry the recipient’s name, a mute button, and an end call button. If you receive an audio call, you see a bigger pop-up with the name, profile picture, and ‘Accept/ Decline’ buttons (shown in the second image).
There’s an option to pick the audio/ video input devices (i.e external microphone and camera) tucked under the ‘three-dot’ menu. Here’s what it looks like:
- WhatsApp Desktop Video Call
The video calling UI on WhatsApp web or desktop looks pretty much the same. You will see your video feed pop-up when you click the video calling button on WhatsApp desktop. The app presents you with the same options as above. You can resize the secondary pop-up window on your desktop as per your needs.
