WhatsApp has enabled voice and video calls via its desktop app. For now, the new feature will be limited to one-to-one calls initially but the Facebook-owned messaging app will expand it down the line to include group calls.
The Desktop calls in terms of display work in both portrait and landscape orientation, it will also appear in a resizable standalone window on your screen and are set to always be on top so they won’t vanish under your mountain of open windows.
All WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted (as are any messages you send), so the company can’t hear or see them, it noted in its blog post.
The 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.
