On March 4, WhatsApp chat messenger announces private and secure one-to-one voice and video calls on WhatsApp’s desktop app.
In a blog, the company mentioned that they’ve seen significant increases in people calling one another on WhatsApp, often for long conversations. Last New Year’s Eve, a record for the most calls ever made in a single day with 1.4 billion voice and video calls. Answering on a bigger screen makes it easier to work with colleagues, see family more clearly on a bigger canvas, or free up user hands to move around a room while talking
The new audio and video calls on WhatsApp Desktop are end-to-end encrypted, which means WhatsApp can’t hear or see them, whether you call from your phone or your computer. Group voice and video calls feature will be expanding in the future.
How to use video and Audio calling feature on WhatsApp Desktop
You can make free voice and video calls to your contacts on WhatsApp Desktop if you have the app installed on your computer.
Desktop calling is supported on:
- Windows 10 64-bit version 1903 and newer
- macOS 10.13 and newer
To make or receive calls on WhatsApp Desktop, you’ll need:
- An audio output device and microphone for voice and video calls.
- A camera for video calls.
- An active internet connection on your computer and phone. The call won’t go through your phone, but it needs to be online to establish the call.
- To grant WhatsApp permission to access your computer’s microphone and camera. WhatsApp needs access to your computer’s microphone for calls and a camera for video calls.