Whatsapp Web Video Calls – All You Need To Know

There’s been a recent update to the Whatsapp Web features, both on the desktop apps, and the regular browser version. Therefore, we thought it was a good moment to talk about Whatsapp web video calls in specific. While also covering the new features, and particularly what these new features can bring forth for travelers. What we are about to say may sound like a bit of a stretch to some people, but if you’re an active Whatsapp user you’re more likely to lower your cell phone bill when you travel abroad if you stick to making calls through the app. Particularly if you’re doing this while you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. 

As of right now the option to make Whatsapp Web video calls is only available through the desktop apps. You can download them for free at Whatsapp.com. Just make sure that you pick the version that is meant for your device. You want to make sure that you’re downloading this app on a fairly modern device. What can happen if you have an older computer is that you won’t be able to download the newer version of the apps that allows you to make video calls. Keep that in mind before you come back here to tell us that the post is filled with lies! If you’re able to download the current newest version of Whatsapp in Spring 2021 for both Mac, and Windows devices you should be able to make whatsapp web video calls. Here are a couple of more things to consider. 

• Are Whatsapp Web Video Calls Free?
• Is Using An Open Wi-Fi Network Safe?
• If You Have To Use Your Own Connection Doing This Can Be Costly 
• What Happens If You Can’t Download The Newest Version of The App?
• What Type of Quality Can You Expect From Whatsapp Web Video Calls?
• Are Whatsapp Web Video Calls Generally Safe?   

Are Whatsapp Web Video Calls Free?

Whatsapp Web video calls are seemingly free. We’re going to talk about the new update in a bit. However, to be able to make video calls you need to download the app, and to make sure that you do have a stable connection with your phone. Which is actually not a requirement now to send texts. Again, that’s something that we’re going to get to later. To not make things any more complicated than they need to be you always want to assume that you’re going to get charged for your data usage when you make these video calls. We are talking about the data usage on your phone here. If you can make sure that your phone is connected to a wifi network or you have unlimited data then you can pretty much say that the calls are free. 

Another one of the great things about Whatsapp Web video calls is that there are no time limits to calls. Which is sometimes the case with other video call apps out there. At the same time you don’t need to go through an extensive registration process to be able to gain access to the app. On the flip side, the bad part about these calls is that you are only going to be able to communicate with people who have an account on Whatsapp. There are other apps that feature calling options that allow people who aren’t users of the app to still hop on the call. As is the case with any of these apps, there are pros and cons that need to be taken into consideration. We’re essentially just throwing a few out there. 

Is Using An Open Wi-Fi Network Safe?

One of the easiest ways to make sure that your calls remain free is to connect your phone to a wifi network. This way you won’t be using up data. By the way, even on unlimited plans these calls can take up considerable amounts of data. That can slow up your connection, and become a problem for you until the end of the month. When you’re on a wifi network you won’t have to worry about the amount of data that you’re spending. At least not in most cases. When you’re using your home wifi network you should be ok. What happens though, when you’re using an open wifi network, like at a coffee shop or a restaurant? Anything that’s an open Wifi spot, (public plazas tend to have this) is usually considered not overly safe.

Does that mean that you should then just use up your regular data? That can be a big problem. One of the main benefits of Whatsapp video calls is that you can call anyone even across the globe, and not worry about pay per minute rates. When you travel for example, they are a great method of communication. If you’re using up your own data though, you may be better off just making a regular call. Data roaming rates could be excessive. That’s why people are tempted to use public wifi. The best thing that you can do to have the best of both worlds is use public wifi with protection. Use a VPN to block malware access to your network. Particularly if you’re going to be using open networks.

If You Have To Use Your Own Connection Doing This Can Be Costly 

Is data expensive? Well, it depends on where you are in the world. That’s going to be a highly determining factor to dictate the cost of data. If you’re a local in the area you are more likely to have access to an unlimited plan. When that’s the case Whatsapp web video calls may become an afterthought. In the sense that you won’t feel any type of remorse in making them. When you’re traveling abroad though, or you’re just on a limited data plan locally making these types of calls could drain your data allowance. To keep getting coverage you’re going to have to pay an extra fee. Whether it be a roaming fee, an overage fee, or just buying more data for your limited prepaid plan. Remember though that if you have the Whatsapp Web app on your computer data consumption on your phone could be minimal.  

How much would that cost? Of course, that also depends on how much you call, and what other types of data usage practices you have. A couple of five minute Whatsapp Web Video calls every month even on prepaid limited data plans will be more or less tolerable. If you’re abroad, and you’re getting hit with roaming fees one call could set you back 10, 15, 20 dollars! When you’re in that situation you really want to go into ultra data save mode. To make sure that you don’t come home to a massive bill at the end of the month. If you’re “home” wherever that is for you and you just make a couple of these calls you should be fine. If you are going to make multiple calls, connecting to another network could be a better idea.  

What Happens If You Can’t Download The Newest Version of The App?

If you can’t download the newest version of Whatsapp web there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to make calls from a computer or a tablet. As you will be able to do through the newer version of the app. Let’s just be honest about this because similar issues start showing up with all apps when you have a device that has an outdated operating system. Any app that you want to run may scale back some of the features that are available on the newer versions. What does that mean for Whatsapp web? Well, as we mentioned video calls through your computer or your tablet may be out of the question. At the same time you may be using more phone data if you are able to connect to the web app just to text.  

With Whatsapp web on an older version you’re going to be limited to just texting. Over time the app may totally shut down on that old operating system. If you have a desktop computer, and you’re dealing with these types of issues you may want to look into updating some of your hardware so that you can then update your software. This process may not be as complex as some people think. Just make sure that you get the help of a true computer whiz in this process. To make sure that any updates are done accordingly. Otherwise your use of modern apps is going to be heavily affected.  

What Type of Quality Can You Expect From Whatsapp Web Video Calls?

Video calls in general have always been thought of as the way of the future. Maybe the way that they were portrayed in the classic cartoon The Jetson’s fueled this obsession. We call it an obsession, because it’s certainly something that multiple companies have tried their hand at for years on end. These types of calls can be traced back to the early 2000’s. This is when webcams started to become a thing. People naturally used them to try and make calls. The problem for years had been that video quality was shaky at best. Voice quality issues popped up all of the time as well. While video quality has without a doubt increased dramatically, there’s an argument to be made that internet speed in some places is having a hard time catching up. 

This basically takes us to the next point. The quality of the call is going to be directly linked to the quality of the internet signal that the members of the call have. That’s really what it’s going to come down to. If you have a stable connection you should be able to have a very stress free call through this system. At this point in time, although there are certainly some video call options that are better than others, pretty much all of the mainstream options are at the very least competent. That’s exactly the word that we would use to describe the quality of Whatsapp Web video calls, competent.  

Are Whatsapp Web Video Calls Generally Safe?   

As is the case with all of the messages that run through Whatsapp calls are encrypted from end to end. As it says on that little bubble that appears when you open a new chat. With that in mind, we’d have to say that these calls should be safe. The problem is that the calls do run through servers that are controlled by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Verse. After the senate hearing that Zuckerbeg took part, people are completely convinced that there is an eye in the sky that sees it all. Mark is the one that controls the eye. 

The fact is, all of the online companies are collecting data from you at any given moment. It can be stressful to think that your calls are being listened into. What we would say on that matter is that most of the other platforms out there that offer video calls aren’t much safer either. For example Zoom boasts that they run a peer to peer system. Which means that the calls are not being monitored by one central network. That seems like a good idea, but who hasn’t been on a Zoom call that’s been hacked by other people? They could defend their case saying those were open group calls. The point that we are trying to make here though, is that each system has its vulnerabilities. Again, in our view Whatsapp Web is a competent platform.  

Whatsapp Web Video Calls – Conclusion     

The biggest upside to whatsapp web video calls is the massive user base that the platform already boasts. If you’re on Whatsapp and you want to contact someone there’s a good chance that you already have their contact number, and you can make the call. Otherwise you would have to coordinate a meet up through another platform. This whole process that you have to go through in other platforms could make things more formal. There’s an argument to be made then that this platform is less formal than some of the other options out there. Particularly since there are some people that don’t want to give their Whatsapp number to associates, and other businesses because they feel contact through this app is way too personal.  

What we keep coming back to though, is the fact that the Whatsapp Web platform is a competent platform. It offers very interesting features. In the recent update the fact that you don’t have to have the phone active to use the platform is a good step in the right direction. Although, it also opens the door for hacks. Security is always going to be a dark cloud that will loom over the Metaverse. At least for the next few years.