Users stuck in a browser window just got a major upgrade. Some WhatsApp Web beta testers now see call buttons inside group chats. They can start voice or video calls with up to 32 participants directly from their desktop or laptop. The change, spotted this week, builds directly on the one-on-one calling that reached Web users earlier in 2026.
But this isn’t a full public launch. It’s a limited test. And it matters. Especially for Linux users who never got a native desktop app. No more grabbing your phone mid-meeting. The browser alone now handles it. Finally.
According to reporting by 9to5Mac, beta users received a notification confirming that calling on the web now extends to group chats. The feature supports both voice and video formats. It includes screen sharing during video sessions. Everything stays protected by end-to-end encryption, matching the security standard across WhatsApp’s platforms.
WABetaInfo first detailed the rollout on June 15. The site has tracked WhatsApp’s development for years with consistent accuracy. Its report explains that starting a group call mirrors the process in individual chats. Open the group. Look for the call button at the top. Click it. Then choose voice or video. Users can even pick specific participants instead of ringing the entire group. Read the full WABetaInfo report here.
That participant selection adds flexibility. A team of eight in a 25-person project chat no longer has to ping everyone. Just select. Connect. Move on. The limit of 32 people aligns exactly with mobile and desktop apps. For most family catch-ups or small work huddles, it’s more than sufficient. Larger gatherings still push users toward other tools.
Call links make joining even simpler. Generate one. Share it. Anyone with the link can hop in, though links expire after 30 days of inactivity. Hosts can add a waiting room for extra control. These same links already exist in the mobile apps. Their arrival on Web creates consistency that power users have demanded for years.
Screen sharing stands out as particularly useful here. Present a slide deck. Walk through a spreadsheet. Demonstrate software. All without leaving the browser. It works only in video calls, not voice. Participants see exactly what you show. So double-check your tabs first.
The timing feels deliberate. WhatsApp rolled out individual Web calls in February. That initial test focused on stability. Group support followed months later. The company clearly wants to iron out bugs before a wider release. No official timeline exists for stable availability. Yet WABetaInfo expects broader access in the coming weeks.
To join the test, open WhatsApp Web settings. Navigate to Help. Toggle on the beta option. Not every beta user will see the feature immediately. WhatsApp often gates new tests to small cohorts. If the call button doesn’t appear in your groups, check back soon.
This update carries special weight for certain users. Linux lacks an official WhatsApp desktop client. Web has always been the workaround. Until now, group calls forced a phone handoff. That friction disappears. Windows users who avoid the desktop app gain the same freedom. The browser becomes a true equal partner.
Meta hasn’t commented publicly on the test. The company rarely does during beta phases. Yet the pattern is clear. WhatsApp continues to close feature gaps between its clients. Voice chats for smaller groups. Call scheduling. Improved admin tools. Each addition tightens the experience across phones, tablets, desktops and browsers.
Competitors already offer similar capabilities. Messenger handles larger video groups. Skype once dominated business calls. But WhatsApp’s massive user base — over two billion people — gives it different scale. End-to-end encryption by default sets it apart for privacy-conscious teams and families. The Web expansion brings that advantage to more workflows.
Recent coverage echoes the excitement. Firstpost reported on the testing details Monday, highlighting participant selection and the Linux advantage. Other outlets picked up the story within hours. The consensus? This change removes one of the last reasons to keep a phone nearby during computer work.
Of course, limitations remain. Browser-based calls still depend on stable internet and decent hardware. Microphone access, camera permissions, background noise — all the usual variables apply. Beta software can glitch. Expect occasional dropped connections or interface hiccups until the code matures.
Even so. The direction feels obvious. WhatsApp wants users to forget which device they’re on. Start a call on your phone. Switch to Web. Add people from anywhere. The underlying encryption holds firm. The participant cap stays consistent. That parity matters for adoption.
Industry watchers have long predicted this move. Web clients evolved from messaging-only portals to near-full app replacements. Voice and video were the missing pieces. Individual calls arrived first to prove the concept. Group calls complete the picture. The test’s success will likely determine how quickly it reaches everyone.
For now, only select beta users can try it. If you qualify, open a group chat today. Check that top bar. See a phone or camera icon? You’re in. Test a small call. Share your screen. Note any rough edges. Feedback during these phases shapes the final product.
The bigger story stretches beyond one feature. Communication tools keep converging. Work, family, communities all blend across screens. WhatsApp’s steady progress on Web reflects that reality. No more device switching for basic tasks. Just open the tab. Hit call. Connect.
And the timing couldn’t be better. Summer travel. Remote teams. Hybrid offices. People want options. This update delivers them without sacrificing the privacy guarantees that built WhatsApp’s reputation. The beta test marks another step in that long effort.
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