WhatsApp Web video calling allows you to make video calls directly from your computer’s browser. To use this feature, you simply need to connect your WhatsApp account on your phone to WhatsApp Web. Here are the steps to enable video calling on WhatsApp Web:
Requirements
To make video calls on WhatsApp Web, you need:
- A computer with a webcam and microphone
- The latest version of WhatsApp installed on your phone
- A stable internet connection on both your phone and computer
Video calling must already be enabled on your WhatsApp mobile app for you to use it on WhatsApp Web. To check if video calling is enabled on your phone:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone
- Go to any chat
- Tap on the video call icon at the top right
- If video calling is enabled, you will get options to start a video call
- If not, you will get a prompt to enable video calling in your app settings
Step 1 – Open WhatsApp Web
Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer’s browser. This will open the WhatsApp Web login screen.
Step 2 – Scan the QR code
On your phone, open WhatsApp and tap on the 3-dot menu at the top right. Then select WhatsApp Web. This will open your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the WhatsApp Web screen on your computer.
Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on your computer screen and scan it. This will link your phone to WhatsApp Web.
Step 3 – Video call icon should appear
Once your phone is connected to WhatsApp Web, the video calling icon will appear at the top right of every chat window. The icon looks like a camera inside a circle.
This confirms that video calling is now enabled and you can start making video calls on WhatsApp Web.
How to make a video call on WhatsApp Web
To make a video call on WhatsApp Web:
- Open a chat with the contact you want to video call
- Click on the video call icon at the top right
- Your contact will receive an incoming video call prompt
- Once they accept the call, the video call will start
The video call interface is similar to WhatsApp on mobile. You can mute/unmute your mic, turn off/on your camera, and end the call.
Other WhatsApp Web features
Along with video calls, WhatsApp Web also gives you access to some other useful features including:
- Messaging – Send and receive messages
- Voice calls – Make voice calls
- Group chats – Participate in groups
- Media sharing – Share photos, videos, documents etc.
- Status updates – View and share status updates
However, WhatsApp Web does not have all features that are present in the mobile app. Some missing features are:
- Creating broadcasts
- Using WhatsApp on multiple devices at once
- Creating and managing Business Profiles
- Using WhatsApp Payments
Tips for better video call experience
Here are some tips to ensure smooth video calling on WhatsApp Web:
- Use the latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Close other tabs and apps running in the background to allocate maximum bandwidth to WhatsApp Web.
- Ensure your phone and computer are connected to a stable WiFi network.
- Do not use WhatsApp Web in incognito/private browser windows.
- Position your webcam properly so your face is clearly visible to the other person.
- Adjust microphone and speaker volumes to optimal levels.
- If you still face call quality issues, try disabling video and using audio-only calls.
Troubleshooting problems
Some common problems faced while using WhatsApp Web video calling and their fixes:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Can’t connect phone to WhatsApp Web |
|
| No video during calls |
|
| Can’t hear audio on calls |
|
| Video quality is poor |
|
Related Questions
1. Does WhatsApp Web work on iPad/tablets?
Currently WhatsApp Web does not work natively on iPads or Android tablets. WhatsApp Web requires scanning a QR code from your phone’s WhatsApp which cannot be done directly on the tablet browser.
However, there are some workarounds like using WhatsApp Web on Chrome/Firefox browser in desktop mode on your tablet. Or connecting your tablet to your phone hotspot to scan the QR code and use WhatsApp Web.
2. Can I make WhatsApp video calls on my PC without my phone?
No, you cannot use WhatsApp Web for video calls on your PC without having your phone connected. Your phone is required to establish the connection between your WhatsApp account and WhatsApp Web.
Your phone must be connected to the internet for you to receive incoming WhatsApp calls on Web. So your phone is mandatory to make or receive WhatsApp video calls on Web.
3. How do I group video call on WhatsApp Web?
Currently WhatsApp Web does not have an option to make group video calls directly. The group video calling feature is limited to WhatsApp on mobile devices.
However, you can start an individual video call with a contact on WhatsApp Web. The contact can then merge this call with an ongoing group video call on their phone to add you to the group call.
This way you can participate in a group video call via WhatsApp Web but cannot initiate a group call directly.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Web video calling provides a convenient way to make video calls on your PC while sitting at your desk. It mirrors the video calling functionality of the WhatsApp mobile app via the desktop browser interface.
To recap, you need to ensure video calling is enabled on your WhatsApp mobile app first. Then simply scan your phone’s QR code on WhatsApp Web to link your accounts and start making one-to-one video calls on your computer.
With decent internet connectivity, the call quality is quite reliable. Overall, WhatsApp Web video calling is a useful feature for those who make a lot of WhatsApp calls for work or to stay in touch with family and friends.