This new feature is being rolled out gradually to WhatsApp Web, the version accessible from any modern browser , and for now focuses on conversations between two people. However, the company is already developing group calls, invitation links, and options for scheduling meetings , which could change the way people communicate in Spain and the rest of Europe in work, educational, and personal settings.
What changes in WhatsApp Web with calls from the browser?
The big news is that WhatsApp Web now includes dedicated buttons for initiating voice and video calls within chats, much like the existing features in the iOS and Android apps. These controls appear at the top of conversations and allow you to start calls directly from your computer, without installing any additional software.
In this first phase, calls are limited to one-on-one chats between two users . Group calls cannot yet be initiated from the web, although this option is under development. For those who primarily use a browser for chatting, being able to press a button and make a call without touching their phone already represents a significant improvement in convenience.
One of the most notable features is that WhatsApp Web calls allow real-time screen sharing . During a video call, the user can display their entire desktop or a specific window, facilitating quick presentations, remote support sessions, or collaborative document review without needing to use other platforms.
The interface displays two clearly differentiated icons, one for voice and one for video, and in some cases a notice appears stating that the feature is "still under development to ensure a bug-free experience ." In other words, since it is in testing, there may be minor glitches, which is common with features that haven't yet been released to everyone.
Another important aspect is that this update has been designed to be cross-platform in the desktop environment . Calls from the browser work on Windows, macOS , and also on Linux distributions, a system that has never had a fully featured official WhatsApp client, so users of this environment particularly benefit from the change.
Availability, beta, and progressive rollout
WhatsApp Web calls haven't been activated for all users yet. According to WABetaInfo, a website specializing in tracking new features on the platform , the function is being rolled out within the service's beta program, meaning only a limited group of accounts can use it at this time.
This phased rollout approach allows the company to test call performance across different browsers and operating systems , gather user feedback, and fix bugs before rolling out the feature globally. There's no firm date for the general rollout, but the intention is to expand access gradually, including in Spain and other European countries.
Those already participating in the beta program will see the new voice and video icons appear in the top corner of individual chats . In many cases, simply refreshing the browser tab and, if necessary, relinking the account by scanning the QR code will update the interface with the new options.
If the call buttons aren't showing yet, it's most likely because activation hasn't been applied to that account . The process depends on WhatsApp's servers and not on any manual update by the user, so the only option is to wait for the rollout to progress.
Sources following the tool's development indicate that the rollout is being done in phases across different regions, including Europe , similar to the approach the company has taken with other key features. Starting with a small percentage of users allows for the detection of performance or compatibility issues before exposing the entire user base to a data-intensive feature like voice and video.
How voice and video calls work in the browser
In daily use, the experience is quite straightforward. When you open an individual chat in WhatsApp Web, two buttons appear next to the contact's name to initiate a voice call or a video call . Clicking one of them opens a floating window integrated into the browser itself, from which you control the conversation.
Calls made from a web browser use the computer's microphone and camera , whether it's a desktop or a laptop. You can use built-in cameras, USB accessories, or even your mobile phone as a webcam, as explained in our guide on using your iPhone as a webcam on compatible systems. This flexibility makes the feature usable on a wide range of devices, from basic computers to more advanced setups.
During the conversation, the caller can activate the screen sharing option , choosing whether to show the entire desktop or just a specific window. This tool is especially useful for showing presentations, commenting on documents, or guiding someone step-by-step through an online process, without having to switch to other video call applications.
The general behavior of calls seeks to replicate what already happens in native applications: incoming calls generate notifications in the browser , the user can accept or reject the communication and there are controls to mute the microphone, disable the camera or hang up the call easily.
Although no additional software installation is required, in some cases it may be advisable to check your browser's microphone and camera permissions . If these have been previously blocked, calls may not work correctly until you allow access to these devices in your browser settings.
Security, encryption, and privacy on WhatsApp Web
One of the aspects WhatsApp has been keen to maintain is the security of communications. Calls made from the web version continue to be protected with end-to-end encryption , the same system used in the mobile app and desktop applications.
This type of encryption means that only the devices of the call participants have access to the keys needed to decrypt the content . Neither the platform itself nor third-party intermediaries can listen to the audio or view the video, as the data travels encrypted throughout its journey between users.
The company bases this protection on the Signal protocol, widely used in privacy-focused messaging services . The architecture has been adapted to work in the browser, but maintaining the same key exchange and encryption logic as in other versions of the service.
Encryption applies to voice calls, video calls, and screen sharing . This means that documents, presentations, or sensitive information displayed during a call are also protected from unauthorized access—a particularly important feature for those using WhatsApp Web in professional or educational settings.
In Europe, where data protection regulations are particularly strict, WhatsApp's consistent encryption across its various platforms plays a significant role in the perception of security. Even so, the company reminds users that technical protection must be accompanied by good practices, such as reviewing the devices linked to their account, not sharing verification codes, and maintaining control over the primary phone associated with the account.
Group calls, invitation links, and scheduling: what's next
Beyond one-on-one calls, WhatsApp's roadmap for its web version includes features designed for larger meetings and better communication organization . Among the options under development is support for group calls from the browser , which could potentially support up to 32 simultaneous participants , in line with the current capacity of the mobile app.
The idea is that users in Spain and other European countries can bring together colleagues, students, family members or friends in the same call without leaving the WhatsApp environment, taking advantage of the familiarity of the interface and avoiding constant switching between different tools.
Another planned feature is the ability to send invitation links to calls . Similar to other video conferencing platforms, simply sharing a URL with participants will allow them to join the meeting via WhatsApp Web, without requiring everyone to be online at the exact moment the call starts.
Along with the links, the company is also working on tools to schedule calls in advance . This would allow users to set a date and time for a meeting, prepare the session in advance, and facilitate coordination among distributed teams or teams with different schedules—something increasingly common in the European work environment.
For now, these additional features are not available to the public, not even within the beta program . They are in earlier stages of development and internal testing, and the company seems to prefer to first solidify the stability of individual calls before moving on to more complex scenarios.
Impact on daily life, work and education in Europe
The introduction of voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web has the potential to change how many people manage their daily communication from their computers . Until now, the web version was mainly used for sending and receiving messages, while calls were reserved for the mobile app or desktop clients.
In the workplace, this new feature opens the door to quick meetings directly from the browser, without installing any additional software . Freelancers, SMEs, and companies that already use WhatsApp as a communication channel with clients or suppliers can centralize more interactions in one place, switching from chat to call with a single click.
In education, the combination of video calls and screen sharing via WhatsApp Web can be useful for occasional tutoring, explaining assignments, or providing remote support. While not intended as a replacement for dedicated online learning platforms, it adds another option for resolving doubts or coordinating group work efficiently.
On a personal level, many users in Spain and the rest of Europe will find it easier to make video calls with family and friends directly from their computer , for example, when working on a laptop or using a large monitor. Not having to constantly check their mobile phone to answer a WhatsApp call is especially practical for those who spend a large part of the day in front of a PC screen.
The key will be to see how well this feature integrates into existing habits. The convenience of calling from the same place where they chat may lead some users to reduce their use of other video conferencing tools in specific situations, especially when group calls, invitation links, and scheduling are fully operational on the web.
With the progressive activation of voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web, the platform takes another step towards becoming a complete communication tool also available in the browser: end-to-end encrypted individual calls, the option to share your screen, the gradual rollout in Europe, and plans for groups of up to 32 participants with links and scheduling position the web version as an increasingly versatile alternative for working, studying, or maintaining daily contact from your computer without relying so much on your phone.
