On June 15, WhatsApp Web’s calling test was reported to have moved into group chats, giving some beta users browser-based voice and video calls with support for up to 32 people, according to 9to5Mac .
The timing matters because WhatsApp only began testing voice and video calls on the web earlier this year. Now, before that initial web calling test has broadly exited its limited phase, the company is already testing the next step: group calling from a browser.
June 15: WhatsApp Web pushes calling tests into group chats
Some users enrolled in the WhatsApp Web beta have received a notice saying web calling is now available in group chats, 9to5Mac reported, citing WABetaInfo. The feature covers both voice and video calls, and includes screen sharing.
That means users who keep WhatsApp open in a browser would no longer need to jump to the mobile app or a dedicated desktop client to place a group call — if the feature is enabled on their account.
“Starting a group call on WhatsApp Web works the same way as in individual chats,” WABetaInfo said. “After opening a group chat, you should look for the call button at the top of the conversation.”
The test does not appear to be universally available. WABetaInfo says the feature is available to some beta testers and is rolling out to more users “over the coming weeks,” while 9to5Mac notes that being in the beta does not guarantee access to every experimental feature.
For users who do have it, the flow is straightforward:
- Open: Go to a group chat in WhatsApp Web.
- Check: Look for the call button at the top of the conversation.
- Choose: Pick either a voice call or a video call.
- Select: Invite the full group or only specific members.
- Share: Use call links where available to bring others into the session.
That selective calling control matters. A large WhatsApp group is often not the same thing as a meeting list. The beta lets users call a subset of the group instead of ringing everyone by default.
After February’s one-on-one web calls, group support narrows the feature gap
WABetaInfo reported in February 2026 that WhatsApp was rolling out voice and video calling on the web client for the first time, initially for individual chats. The group calling test builds directly on that earlier milestone.
The practical gap was obvious: WhatsApp Web worked well as a desktop messaging interface, but calling from the browser lagged behind the full experience available elsewhere. Group support changes that for users who rely on WhatsApp during work, study, family coordination, or remote collaboration.
A quick status snapshot from the supplied reports:
| WhatsApp surface or feature | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Individual calls on WhatsApp Web | Testing began earlier in 2026; 9to5Mac says it has not officially rolled out beyond the initial test |
| Group calls on WhatsApp Web | Available to some beta testers |
| Participant limit | Up to 32 people for group voice and video calls |
| Screen sharing | Supported during group video calls |
| Call links | Supported for inviting users into a session |
| Encryption | Group calls on WhatsApp Web are end-to-end encrypted |
WABetaInfo says the 32-person cap matches the limit already in place on mobile and desktop. It also says group calls on the web are protected by end-to-end encryption using the Signal protocol, with no special setting required.
For browser-first users, the most concrete benefit may be on Linux. WABetaInfo notes that WhatsApp does not offer a desktop app for Linux, which has historically pushed those users back to their phones for group calls. Browser-based group calling gives them a direct path from WhatsApp Web.
This is also where the product direction becomes clearer. MLXIO analysis: by moving from individual web calls to group web calls, WhatsApp is making the browser client less of a companion screen and more of a full communications surface. That inference is grounded in the sequence WABetaInfo describes: individual web calls first, group calls next, with screen sharing and call links layered in.
For related product-interface coverage, see MLXIO’s Your Inbox Is a Mess — WhatsApp iOS Chat Lists Agree. For a broader read on how product timelines can be misread before features reach the public, see Future Trends Everyone Keeps Misreading — Here's Why.
The next gate is simple: who gets the call button, and when
The test still has tight limits. Users must be in the WhatsApp Web beta, and even then, access depends on whether WhatsApp has enabled the feature for that account.
To join the beta, 9to5Mac says users can open Settings > Help in WhatsApp Web and toggle on “Join the beta.” That does not force the group calling feature to appear. WhatsApp tests features gradually, so two beta users may see different options at the same time.
The clearest sign is the call button in a group chat. If it is not there, the feature has not reached that account yet.
Several useful details are confirmed by the supplied reports:
- Group size: Up to 32 participants.
- Call types: Voice and video are both supported.
- Screen sharing: Available in group video calls.
- Call links: Available for group calling.
- Encryption: Calls are end-to-end encrypted.
Other details remain unanswered in the source material. The reports do not specify a full stable release date, a complete browser support list, call-quality benchmarks, or whether every region will receive the feature on the same schedule. They also do not confirm how consistently the experience behaves across lower-powered laptops or weaker networks.
The next decision point is the broader rollout. If WhatsApp expands the test beyond a small beta pool, the browser version becomes far more useful for group communication. If the call button stays limited, this remains a promising test rather than a daily tool for most WhatsApp Web users.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp Web users may soon be able to start group voice and video calls without switching to mobile or desktop apps.
- Support for up to 32 people makes the browser version more useful for larger conversations.
- The limited beta rollout means many users may not see the feature immediately, even if they are enrolled in testing.
