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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

4 clusters · 146 sources · 7 days · First seen 9 days ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Categories: TECHNOLOGY

WhatsApp expands web calling and voice‑note widget

Entities: WhatsApp · Meta Platforms Inc. · WhatsApp Web · Meta Platforms · Meta Platforms, Inc.

Overview

In late July 2026 Meta rolled out native voice and video calling on WhatsApp Web, offering end‑to‑end encryption, unlimited duration, screen sharing, a waiting‑room option and seamless transfer between phone, tablet, web and desktop. Group calls support up to 32 participants.

Two days later the company introduced Félix Pago, a chatbot‑driven remittance service for U.S. users to send instant transfers to nine Latin American countries.

On 30 July Meta began testing an Android home‑screen widget (v2.26.30.2) that records and sends voice notes directly from the widget area, with pause, discard and confirm controls and the ability to send a single clip to multiple contacts. The widget defaults to a 3 × 1 cell and must be added manually.

On 31 July Meta expanded the Web calling update, adding high‑definition QuickHD video, background‑noise suppression, a dedicated Calls tab with full call history, real‑time reactions and screen‑sharing enhancements. The rollout continues globally, with beta testers receiving the features and a broader release expected within weeks.

By early August the voice and video calling feature was enabled for individual calls directly from WhatsApp Web without a desktop client. The phased worldwide rollout introduced call transfer, waiting‑room approval, QuickHD from call start and noise suppression, with Meta indicating that group‑call support will be added in future phases.

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] WhatsApp Web calls have no time limit and can include up to 32 participants in a group call. (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)
[● 7 SOURCES] The widget defaults to a 3 × 1 cell size and must be manually added from the Android widget menu. (multiple articles)
[● 7 SOURCES] The widget enables sending a single voice recording to multiple contacts simultaneously. (multiple articles)

Timeline

3 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
WhatsApp Web launches voice and video calling on browsers
Meta added voice and video calling to WhatsApp Web, offering encrypted calls via browsers with features like call transfer, waiting rooms, QuickHD and noise suppression, rolled out gradually worldwide.
6 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
Meta adds voice and video calling to WhatsApp Web
Meta's update lets WhatsApp Web users make voice and video calls, transfer calls between devices, and use features like QuickHD, noise suppression and group waiting rooms, all without a desktop app.
7 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 16 sources
WhatsApp adds browser voice/video calls and Android widget for voice notes
WhatsApp Web now offers encrypted audio/video calls with screen‑share and group support, while an Android widget for quick voice notes is in limited beta.
9 days ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 126 sources
WhatsApp Web launches voice and video calls with device transfer and waiting room
Meta adds voice and video calls to WhatsApp Web, plus call transfer, waiting room, QuickHD HD video and noise suppression; rollout gradual, free and encrypted.

Sources

1001infos.net · 2001online.com · absolutegeeks.com · actualidadiphone.com · adslzone.net · aktuelno.me · al-wattan.net · alvinology.com · americanbazaaronline.com · androidnews.de · androidtr.es · apfelpage.de · apike.ca · appgefahren.de · archyworldys.com · areamobile.de · assodigitale.it · au.pcmag.com · augustourgente.com.br · baargaal.net · basic-tutorials.de · bild.de · bizplus.ie · borncity.com · brandspurng.com · brasil247.com · bright.nl · cablenoticias.tv · canaltech.com.br · cbnparaiba.com.br · chip.pl · clubic.com · cnbcindonesia.com · colombia.com · deccanchronicle.com · diariodealmeria.es · diariodecadiz.es · diariodenavarra.es · diarioeconomico.co.mz · diariosanrafael.com.ar · digitaltrends.com · dotekomanie.cz · ecommerce-news.es · ekbis.harianjogja.com · eldyar.net · elnacional.cat · epocanegocios.globo.com · estamosaqui.mx

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history