WhatsApp with a long-awaited change. It will work on your old laptop.

WhatsApp has been the king of mobile communication for years, but its web version has always been treated somewhat as a secondary option. While it allowed users to conveniently reply to messages from a keyboard, when it came to something more advanced—like a short voice call—users had to return to their phones. Now, this is finally starting to change. As reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has begun rolling out support for voice and video calls in its web application. The rollout has already started and is gradually reaching users worldwide. WhatsApp Web is beginning to become a fully-fledged messenger, rather than just an extension of the phone.

Voice and video calls in WhatsApp Web - how does it work? If you are among the lucky ones who can already see the new feature, two familiar buttons will appear in the chat interface: a headset and a camera. Exactly the same as in the mobile app. You click—and it's done. The call takes place directly from the browser, without the need to install additional plugins or applications. WhatsApp uses WebRTC for this, which is a standard technology for real-time communication, used by Google Meet and Discord, among others. This is good news because it means stability, compatibility, and no need to fiddle with additional components.

Calls work in both individual and group conversations (though group calls may be rolled out in stages). WhatsApp Web still requires a connection to the phone, but the conversation takes place in the browser. The call interface is minimalist but functional—with options to mute the microphone, switch the camera, or end the call.

Why now? WhatsApp Web is starting to be a real alternative to desktop and mobile applications. For many people, this is a huge convenience—especially for those who work at a computer and do not want to reach for their phone constantly. Does this mean that WhatsApp Web will become a full-fledged tool for video conferencing? Probably not. No sensible person would compare it to Zoom or Teams. But for quick private conversations—absolutely. Especially since users do not always have the option or desire to install applications from the Mac App Store or Microsoft Store.