WhatsApp is more than just a text chat service; you were able to use it to make voice and video calls for as long as I can remember. In fact, WhatsApp has even enhanced its video chat features in these times of joyous pandemic and now allows you to chat with up to 50 people in a moment. But you still have to do it using the mobile app, which isn’t as useful as being able to do the same things in a desktop app.
I’ve seen reports that WhatsApp is finally testing voice and video chat calls for version of its web-based and desktop service. You are now implementing the multi-user feature, which means you may not be able to play it yet. Still, it’s worth trying for comfort; I’d rather be able to turn on a webcam to chat with my friends than to hold an uncomfortable phone for an hour or prop it up against something random on my desk.
To get started, make sure you sign up the beta of WhatsApp and Android. Install the latest version of the app from the Google Play Store, and then turn on your laptop or desktop computer. Download the file WhatsApp desktop application, because at this point you are more likely to get the function there than in the web-based version.
You will need to open WhatsApp on your phone to scan a QR code on WhatsApp Desktop, which is how the two are connected. Then, if you’re lucky, you should see it new icons for video and voice chats in any of your existing conversations in the desktop version. You can’t miss them if you have access to them, as each icon will say “beta” in the upper right.
Unfortunately, I lost the WhatsApp lottery because I only have the default chat screen (on the desktop i web: I checked both, just in case). I flipped the icons would do appear, for the lucky ones to have the function:
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My game plan is to come back every few days to see if I’m lucky enough to receive the release. If WhatsApp turns this switch on for everyone at some point in the near future, I will definitely let you know.