WhatsApp adds browser voice/video calls and Android widget for voice notes
WhatsApp is expanding its services with two major updates. WhatsApp Web now supports free audio and video calls directly from the browser, using end‑to‑end encryption. The new calling feature includes screen‑sharing, a waiting‑room option, call transfer between devices, no time limit, and support for up to 32 participants in group calls. It is being rolled out worldwide in a staged rollout and will be delivered gradually over the coming weeks.
In parallel, WhatsApp is testing an Android home‑screen widget that lets users record and send voice notes without opening the app. The widget defaults to a 3 × 1 cell size, must be added manually from the widget menu, and can send a single recording to multiple contacts at once. It is being released to a limited group of beta users running version 2.26.30.2 on Android.
Entities: Android · Android operating system · Félix Pago · Meta Platforms · Meta Platforms Inc. · Meta Platforms, Inc. · Mexico · United States · WhatsApp · WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc.) · WhatsApp Web · WhatsApp Web calling feature
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 11 SOURCES] WhatsApp Web now supports free audio and video calls with end‑to‑end encryption. (multiple articles)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The WhatsApp Web calling feature is being rolled out worldwide in a staged rollout. (multiple articles)
- [● 10 SOURCES] WhatsApp Web calls include screen‑sharing, a waiting‑room option, and the ability to transfer an ongoing call between devices. (multiple articles)
- [● 7 SOURCES] WhatsApp is testing a widget on Android that allows recording and sending voice notes directly from the home screen. (multiple articles)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The widget is being rolled out to a limited number of beta users of version 2.26.30.2 on Android. (multiple articles)
- [● 11 SOURCES] WhatsApp Web calls have no time limit and can include up to 32 participants in a group call. (multiple articles)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The widget enables sending a single voice recording to multiple contacts simultaneously. (multiple articles)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The widget defaults to a 3 × 1 cell size and must be manually added from the Android widget menu. (multiple articles)
- [● 6 SOURCES] WhatsApp Web calling adds screen sharing, waiting room, call transfer, QuickHD video quality, and noise suppression. (new)