WhatsApp Web Gets Audio, Video Calling Features
28 Jul 2026
WhatsApp is bringing full calling functionality to its web app, marking a notable expansion of the platform's browser-based capabilities. Announced on July 28, 2026, the update lets users make and receive audio and video calls directly from WhatsApp for Web—no phone required.
What's new
The web interface now includes a dedicated Calls tab, housing call history and favorites, similar to the mobile app experience. Key features rolling out include:
- Screen-sharing and reactions during web-based calls
- Call transfer between devices without hanging up
- Waiting rooms for group calls, requiring host approval to join
- Background noise suppression, designed to filter ambient noise in large or busy spaces
- HD video streaming during the first few seconds of a call
Separately, WhatsApp has opened reservations for usernames. Once live, this feature will let people call others using a username rather than a phone number—and reportedly, this will work across platforms.
Why founders should care
This update likely signals that Meta is positioning WhatsApp as a more comprehensive communication and collaboration tool, not just a mobile messaging app. For founders building products on top of WhatsApp Business API, this could open new integration possibilities—particularly around calling and identity management.
The shift toward username-based, cross-platform calling may suggest a longer-term move away from phone-number-dependent identity systems. Startups with products tied to WhatsApp's existing API structure should watch closely, as this could eventually affect how user identity and authentication work within the ecosystem.
Features like waiting rooms and noise suppression also hint that WhatsApp may be courting more professional and enterprise use cases. This could create openings for business-focused tools that layer on top of WhatsApp's expanding feature set—especially around remote collaboration, customer support, or team communication.
That said, the report notes several open questions. There's no confirmed rollout timeline or regional availability, and no technical detail on how noise suppression or HD streaming are implemented. Founders evaluating whether to build around these features should treat early experimentation as directional rather than definitive until broader rollout data emerges.
Risks to watch
As more communication functionality shifts to the web, questions around data handling and privacy—given WhatsApp's reliance on Meta's broader infrastructure—may become more prominent. Additionally, new features like waiting rooms and username-based calling could introduce moderation or security challenges that aren't yet fully addressed.
The bottom line
WhatsApp's web calling upgrade is a meaningful product expansion, but many implementation details remain unclear. For founders building adjacent tools or integrations, this is worth monitoring—particularly the username-based calling feature, which could reshape how identity works across the platform. Whether this translates into concrete new opportunities will likely depend on how quickly Meta clarifies rollout plans and API access.