WhatsApp connects users all around the world. The app allows people to communicate through text messages, voice, or by using WhatsApp video calling.

Here's a guide on how to make WhatsApp video calls on desktop and mobile, as well as everything you need to know about the limits of video calling on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Video Calling? What You Need to Know

Video calling is precisely what it sounds like. You call a contact you have on WhatsApp, and both of you can see each other on your smartphone screens. It's what Skype and FaceTime have been doing for years.

Young man making a video call on phone with earphones on

Video calling on WhatsApp also works across Android, iOS, and desktops. That's what makes WhatsApp one of the best apps for video calls. If you have any security concerns, check out these tips to make WhatsApp more secure and private.

WhatsApp video calls are free locally and internationally, meaning that WhatsApp isn't charging you any money to make the call. However, video calls require an internet connection, so they consume data from your phone's data plan or your home internet plan.

If you are using WhatsApp to call someone over a Wi-Fi connection, your phone's network carrier won't charge you anything.

Download: WhatsApp for Android | iOS | Mac | Windows (Free)

What You Can Do With WhatsApp Video Calling

A black guy on a video call with woman

WhatsApp video calling is part of the existing voice calls feature. You can contact old friends who use the app and chat as though they were sitting in front of you.

You can hold business meetings, work with small teams, and even keep in touch with friends in other countries. WhatsApp's features are all exceptionally robust.

How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call on Mobile

Placing a WhatsApp video call on your Android or iOS device is quite simple. Here's how to do it:

  1. First, tap the Contact you want to talk to.
  2. Now tap the Video Camera icon to the right of their name at the top of the screen. The other person can answer the call by tapping the green Video button or reject the call by tapping the red phone button. If they answer, you're ready to go.
  3. You can also tap Calls, tap the New Call icon, select a contact, and hit the Video Camera icon.

By default, WhatsApp video calls use the front-facing camera of your phone. However, you can switch this to the rear Camera at any point with a tap on the screen.

You can also mute the microphone, so the other person can see you but not hear you—just tap the Microphone icon at the bottom of the screen. To mute the audio from the speakers, use your phone's volume buttons. These are WhatsApp video call settings you can find on both Android and iOS devices.

How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call on Your PC

screenshot of whatsapp chat on desktop

Placing a WhatsApp video call on your PC is just as easy. Follow the steps below to get started:

  1. Launch WhatsApp Desktop on your PC and select the Contact you want to call.
  2. Next, click on the Video Camera icon at the top-right of the screen. You will then see your face and that of the person you're calling displayed on the screen, with your chat in the background. You can maximize the screen to get a better view of yourself and of the person you're calling.
  3. At the bottom of the video call display are options to Add People, toggle your Camera on or off, turn your Microphone off, and End the call. Tap the three-dot Menu to access WhatsApp video call Settings to adjust your preferences.

WhatsApp Group Video Calls

You can make a WhatsApp video call with up to 32 participants simultaneously. That means you can chat with a maximum of 31 friends or loved ones all in one call. Group video calls consume more data as well.

How to Place a WhatsApp Group Video Call on Your Phone

Here's how to start a WhatsApp group call on your phone:

  1. First, start a one-on-one call with anyone on your contact list. Then tap the Video icon next to their name.
  2. If you want to add more people once the person has answered the call, swipe up on the upward arrow above the in-call options buttons and tap Add People. The icon looks like a person with a plus sign next to them at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Now select the Contacts you want to call and repeat for up to 31 additional people.
  4. If you want to place a call from within a group chat, open the chat, tap the Video Camera icon in the top-right corner, and tap Call Group. This will call everyone in the chat simultaneously.

The process is simple and easy. You just need to ensure that everyone else you're adding to the video call has WhatsApp.

How to Place a WhatsApp Group Video Call on Your PC

screenshot of a WhatsApp group chat on a Mac

To call a WhatsApp group on your computer, open the group chat and click the Video Camera icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

You can also start by video-calling a friend and adding people to the call. To do this:

  1. Click the Video Camera icon in the top-right corner of the individual chat.
  2. After they answer the call, click the Add People icon at the bottom of the window—it's the first one on the left.
  3. Select people to add as you would on the mobile app.

How Much Data Do WhatsApp Video Calls Use?

man on group video call with 4 participants on desktop screen

If your internet speeds support higher-quality video, then WhatsApp will take full advantage. Unfortunately, that results in high data usage. If you're not on Wi-Fi, you can quickly go through a lot of cellular data.

On average, we found a minute's call to use around 2.2 MB of data on 5G. This isn't bad, but it's worth keeping an eye on if you use mobile data. A few X users also recorded similar numbers.

Multitasking While on a WhatsApp Video Call

man using WhatsApp on desktop

Another highlight of WhatsApp's video calls is the multitasking feature. Most smartphone video calls force you to use the video call and prevent you from using anything else, meaning you can't multitask. However, WhatsApp has no such restrictions.

On your phone, you can tap the back arrow in the top-left corner of the screen to check other messages and reply to them. You can even exit WhatsApp to use other apps. When you're ready to return to your video call, just tap the green bar at the top of the screen.

On your PC, drag the video call window to the side to access the contacts you want to text while on the call. You will continue to see the Preview of your call in the call window.

screenshot of WhatsApp video call with chats in the background

You can also minimize the call window and the person on the other end of the call will still be able to see you.

Did you know that WhatsApp has a range of shortcuts you can use? Check out our article on every WhatsApp Desktop keyboard shortcut you need to know.

There's Much More to WhatsApp

Video calling is an essential tool, and WhatsApp has done an impressive job with it. In addition, the service is getting more stable and reliable as updates occur.

That said, WhatsApp offers many desirable features in addition to video calling. Overall, the service is more than just an instant messenger. With its range of features, WhatsApp is quickly becoming its own social network.