WhatsApp tests voice and video calls on its desktop app

WhatsApp has both web and desktop apps, but these versions lack some key features available on the mobile app.

The new test was discovered by The Guardian's Alex Hern, who shared a screenshot on Twitter. In the image, we can see two new buttons for voice and video call. Both icons are labelled "beta", confirming that WhatsApp is testing this feature. Voice and video call support for WhatsApp desktop app is not yet available in a stable release. Yet, there is no detailed information about the official launch, however, but WhatsApp could present it soon.

WhatsApp tracker WABetaInfo also noticed the same for WhatsApp Web in October. WABetaInfo shared screenshots of voice and video calling options on WhatsApp Web. Like the one discovered by Hern, the video and voice call buttons are visible at the top, next to the contact's name. When one makes a call on WhatsApp Web, a small window will appear with the user's name, profile image, and buttons to end the call, switch to video/audio, and mute the call.

This test for WhatsApp Web also supports group voice and video calls. WABetaInfo said that support for voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web should be available to beta WhatsApp users in the coming weeks for some to start seeing. There is no official confirmation on when WhatsApp will introduce it to the stable version.

This would be a significant update for WhatsApp Web and its desktop application. It would make it easier to use WhatsApp for quick group calls instead of having to schedule meetings.