WhatsApp rolls out enhanced video calling

WhatsApp is upgrading its video-calling capabilities. The Meta-owned platform is introducing new features to enhance its calls and compete with other platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet.

One of the new features is screen sharing, which can be useful for watching videos together, sharing content, or troubleshooting devices. This feature also allows for audio sharing, enabling users to chat while viewing each other’s screens.

WhatsApp has also increased the participant limit for video calls to 32 people across all platforms. This is a significant increase from the previous limit of eight people, which was implemented in 2024 during the pandemic.

Another new feature is the speaker spotlight, where the person speaking is highlighted in group calls, making it easier to identify who is talking.

Additionally, WhatsApp has switched to the MLow codec for clearer calls. This new compression technology improves noise and echo cancellation, particularly useful in noisy environments. Moreover, video calls will stream in higher resolution for users with fast network connections.