WhatsApp Web video calls with WhatsApp Desktop

Those who use WhatsApp Web have to unfortunately live without the practical video calls available in Messenger. However, WhatsApp Desktop has offered the video call function since March 2021.

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Quick guide: WhatsApp video call on PC

  1. Download the WhatsApp Desktop app and open it.
  2. Scan the QR code to sync your WhatsApp.
  3. Open the individual chat you want to start a video call in.
  4. Click the camera icon at the top of the chat window to start the video call.

WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop: Where can you make video calls work?

For a long time, WhatsApp was only limited to use via smartphone. In the meantime, the messenger service has begun offering practical web and desktop versions. This means you can easily synchronize your WhatsApp account via your browser or desktop, write messages with the keyboard, and finally put your phone aside. However, if you are looking for the PC version of WhatsApp, you will quickly discover that there are two versions: WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop.

The web version works in any browser variant, but the desktop version only works with WhatsApp for Mac and for Windows (as of February 2022). Although both versions are almost identical in appearance and in features, there is one important difference: In the web version, there is no video conference feature. So stick to the desktop version WhatsApp for PC to make one-on-one video calls. WhatsApp group calls by video are not currently available in either version (as of February 2022).

Tip

Want to back up your WhatsApp contacts, chat history, and media? With the IONOS HiDrive Cloud Storage you can create a WhatsApp backup centrally and securely.

WhatsApp video call on PC: With the desktop app

Follow the steps below to start a video call with WhatsApp on PC.

The following requirements must be met: A smartphone or tablet connected to the Internet, an active WhatsApp account, microphone and camera on the PC, at least Windows 10 (64-bit, version 1903), or macOS version 10.13.

Step 1: If you haven’t already, download the WhatsApp desktop app from the WhatsApp homepage, open it after installation, and sign in.

Step 2: Scan the QR code that will be displayed after you launch the app. To do this, use the QR scanner in your WhatsApp profile. You can find it under “Settings”. Tap the QR icon next to your profile picture and then tap the “Scan code” function.

Step 3: Once the QR code has been scanned, your WhatsApp account on your smartphone and the desktop app will sync up. Your contacts, chats, media, and settings will now be available on the PC as well.

Step 4: Also in the desktop version, only a WhatsApp web video call is currently available for one-on-one chats. Select the contact you want to start the video call with and click the camera icon at the top of the chat window.

Step 5: You will now see a separate window open for the upcoming video call. When the other person answers the call, the video conference will start.

Step 6: In the WhatsApp Desktop video call, there are also various features available to you. For example, you can use the microphone icon to mute your microphone or activate and deactivate the camera via the camera icon. If you want to end the call, simply click the red phone icon.

Further notes on the WhatsApp desktop video call

If you receive a PC video call yourself via WhatsApp in the desktop app, you can accept it by clicking on the green camera icon or reject it by clicking on the red phone icon. If you do not want to accept or reject the call, simply click on the “x”. In this case, the call attempt ends as soon as the caller hangs up.

You want to switch to a video call in the currently running voice call? That is also possible. Simply click on the camera icon in the voice call menu. When your call partner accepts, the app automatically starts the video chat.

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