# WhatsApp launches web calling alongside new features: call transfer, waiting room

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-28 18:29 UTC · Category: Technology · Sources: 6 · Current Velocity: 3.67

## Executive Summary
WhatsApp expands its desktop utility by enabling encrypted voice and video calling directly through its web application.

## Intelligence Brief
As of July 28, 2026, WhatsApp has officially extended voice and video calling functionality to its web interface. This integration allows users to conduct encrypted calls directly from their browser, supplementing the existing mobile and desktop application capabilities. Alongside the core calling feature, the rollout includes functional enhancements such as a waiting room feature and the ability to transfer calls between devices.


Financial Express, The Verge, Engadget, TechCrunch, and 9to5Google all identify the arrival of this feature as a significant expansion of the platform's desktop accessibility. While the outlets agree on the technical launch of web-based calling, they offer varying levels of detail regarding the specific user interface adjustments required to support these features. Technical specifications regarding system requirements or hardware compatibility for these web-based calls remain limited across current reporting.


Coverage does not yet specify if the call transfer feature functions across all operating systems or if additional updates are required for mobile clients to initiate these transfers.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### What new capabilities does the WhatsApp web update include?
The update introduces encrypted voice and video calling, a waiting room feature, and call transfer functionality.

### Is the web calling feature encrypted?
Yes, coverage confirms that the calls made via the web app are encrypted.

### Are there limitations to the web calling features?
Current coverage does not specify hardware requirements or specific operating system compatibility for these new features.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
Apple, WhatsApp, Calls, WhatsApp Web, Tech and AI Wrap July, WhatsApp Now Supports Encrypted Calls On The Web

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDTV | WhatsApp Launches Web Browser-Based Audio And Video Calling Feature | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNLWN6N2o5NXFmekFuWndQOXJQSnRjdm81Wjh4YjJ6NzdjaVE2VGRJR2txTXJXeFJLMmUzbnNpNGFKcHZiaUhmZVNJMDhISGRmanEtRnp1UkZXTzJ2eTVaSGNOWHF3SUViajIwLUN5b25nM1E5Y0hVZ2hTcVVHTjRObTJGbllhOVV1dkdkenV0dzljaEVrUm9pMklxaFdqSlBzZVlYaXM2VEVndldx0gG0AUFVX3lxTE02U0p5SWFoMnFGRkF2UUdtbEg2eFdDb1AwZ1k2SlQ3dzlVejVIUGIxZE1RSklpYW5qV254bTlnMDBYc1psdDJGdU9ETFFxdXM3NmVRQk0wQ3gxQ0lRazBRYkVZb2Q2ZUtBVkgzeVljYTlybE51bW5kM3lLNFAwS0tsUkxhR2cza2NmLWZac3gtVW1fVkFQLWcwZ2RVajRUZnMwQ2ZuWmp) |
| financialexpress.com | Tech and AI Wrap July 28: WhatsApp native web calling, Apple device leasing, and Microsoft’s new cybersecurity model | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_wFBVV95cUxPRDFFWDFDTWpFSjR2TlJudmxiS0VlM3BxZXZYV1J0MVhTMmMtQ3ZRUExyOWJEY21VcVlQM0ZtR2dEY0taMVJhMGNKV0pSWWllMm0xekZCeUVudlBLYldYbDFFa21WUVF2RVJVUDZhd0dIM3AxLWNwRFdDOWlFX2Q4bS0tMU1iUWNadDZYTkpDOW40TDF6MlhiNFFad3dwMWE4ekdYRllzVEhtTTNEWEVrSEZIVUlfelpMdXc0cmk2ak5WalJULTQ3MUJzQzNkT0VvOWdhLXZiRkQ3SzBLQzdLY3JWa044UDliNlJ5U0RqcGMtSzJmUDY4RVpRaTlic2s?oc=5) |
| The Verge | Calls are now supported for WhatsApp Web users. | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxOY0xFR05zanBtZmtnYXI0R3VtSlFhU3VfUVFCSngzR3Zua2JEam8xMlNkMTdDMlNtVFE3XzRtSGkxMzhDRDRnTzJNbXdycXdPdURLekh4bGdTNEZlWEItNlpHOUkxNnp2dk5GaFVGUlJ6dDRtR3BicUdTNEljMExYQzYyaXkySmM3RThz?oc=5) |
| Engadget | WhatsApp Now Supports Encrypted Calls On The Web | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxQZ0RxY2hSSDBhLVlaWEhlb1BNRjktN0xGS0RDcWJvenp6MURWZUE5X2s1V0NjTkt4ZXloT005SFFqaFd2eVdsbzJ0eG9YTHVtMEpHa0VBZkpvLUgxLXgzYUdZMkpsMzNfRGFxdzktNFY5WW9QRFV5ZDlSRDByNHNBOEJKLU5hc3hXZ1E?oc=5) |
| TechCrunch | WhatsApp now lets you make calls using its web app | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxNVlZtRk5XTGR3Q2dDZm5Dek5sWFA0a3hDY2w3N3BQdzRkQktxS2dnSTRaSjk0anFPaUJRSVlnc20tTHBFOGlKSmVlQkcwOG45b29VN2hwWi1YblptRXJEWHAxUGNQRGhoUWwydzB0U2pLQ3lnYWx5RDZVajhPNDJtVklFRGlZeEFSdDFGemR3?oc=5) |
| 9to5Google | WhatsApp launches web calling alongside new features: call transfer, waiting room | 2026-07-28 14:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMid0FVX3lxTE1NTTZkQ1I5Y0VxV2NMQTRmMl9CSFZxUllZNTBoelcxVmhGang3SXhpSUlsOWd6dVFpZ3ZEcTRmTUxMdjkyOW5xY1NYMXBNNkM0eHJTNVBNUG84dEFGQ21XVU5KYlQtWExaQm94dVhGMlJJeHhzMFB3?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://www.newsylist.com/trend/2026-07-28/whatsapp-launches-web-calling-alongside-new-features-call-transfer-waiting-room*
*Synthesized by Newsylist Open Intelligence Engine under E-E-A-T journalistic standards.*