WhatsApp is rolling out a series of significant improvements to its video calls , adding new features designed to offer greater control, privacy, customization, and audiovisual quality. Now, the WhatsApp video call experience is approaching the highest standards offered by other leading apps, combining ease of use, advanced tools, and secure communication.
New options for accepting video calls: your privacy is our priority
One of the main new features is the option to accept a video call without having to activate the camera . Until now, when answering a video call, the camera would automatically turn on, instantly displaying your image on screen. This lack of control could be awkward in unexpected situations or when you simply didn't want to be seen at that moment.
Now, with a new interface, WhatsApp lets you choose from several options before joining a call: "Accept with video," "Accept without video" (audio only), and decline . This way, you can maintain your privacy, join with audio only, or decide to activate your camera later if you're comfortable.
In addition, the option to mute the microphone before accepting the call has been added , preventing the accidental sharing of sounds or private conversations when joining the video call. Along with the option to turn off the camera from the start, this makes WhatsApp one of the most flexible and secure platforms for receiving video calls.
The feature is initially available in beta, indicating that its global rollout will be available to all users with an upcoming automatic app update, on both Android and iOS, as well as desktop versions.
Enhanced privacy and fraud protection
WhatsApp has taken significant steps to ensure privacy during video calls . The rise in digital fraud and extortion through screenshots is driving users to seek platforms where they can better control their online presence. WhatsApp's video call improvements offer greater protection by dramatically reducing the risk of unauthorized capture, as you decide when you appear on screen.
Customizing the input mode (audio, video, or both) is especially useful in both personal and professional contexts. If you receive a call during a meeting or at home, you can join in audio-only and turn on video whenever you want. This flexibility has been requested by users and is appreciated for both informal communications and work environments, eliminating the pressure to "appear on camera" by default.
This strategy fits in with WhatsApp's other privacy-focused initiatives, such as locked chats, message editing, and extended video message duration.
Virtual backgrounds, filters and effects to personalize your video calls
The aesthetic experience of video calls is also evolving with the introduction of numerous virtual backgrounds, visual effects, and real-time filters . These options allow each user to change their background or add special effects during the call, something previously reserved for external applications like Zoom or Google Meet. If you want to expand your options, you can discover how to use filters and backgrounds in WhatsApp.
Among the available virtual backgrounds are offices, cafes, landscapes, living rooms, sunsets, forests, and celebrations . There's also an option to blur the background, ideal for those seeking more privacy without losing focus on their face. WhatsApp uses artificial intelligence to separate the user from the background, achieving a realistic and smooth effect on most modern devices.
On the other hand, the filters include options like Warm, Cool, Black and White, Light Leak, Dreamy, Prism Light, Frosted Glass, Fisheye, Retro TV, and Duo Tone . Simply select the desired filter or background from the magic wand icon in the top right corner of the video call, and the effect will be applied in real time. You can switch between these effects as many times as you like during the call.
These additions not only make video calls more fun and expressive, but in work environments, they also project an instant professional image by concealing private or cluttered spaces. Changing backgrounds and effects is compatible with individual and group calls on Android, iOS, and the desktop version of WhatsApp. To learn how to further personalize your video calls, you can use the background change feature in WhatsApp.
How to use backgrounds, filters, and effects in video calls?
- Start a video call both in individual and group chats.
- Tap on the screen to view camera controls.
- Select the magic wand icon located in the upper corner.
- Choose between filters and backgrounds in the camera editing panel.
- You can switch effects and backgrounds at any time., and the changes will be visible to all participants instantly.
Some backgrounds have been generated using AI, offering personalized settings that adapt to both formal and informal environments, with dynamic, professional-quality aesthetics.
Complete control and more options within the video call
WhatsApp is making more advanced controls available before and during each video call . Now you can:
- Adjust the camera and microphone before accepting the call, deciding whether you want to show yourself or just participate with your voice.
- Mute your microphone directly from the notification screen, a key feature to prevent interruptions and protect your private sound environment.
- Switch cameras (front or rear) during the call, useful for displaying documents, whiteboards or any other items.
- Screen sharing with audio included, facilitating presentations, video viewings or group tutorials.
Quick emoji reactions are also integrated , accessible from the screen sharing submenu. Available emojis include thumbs up, heart, laughing face, surprised face, tearful face, and two hands together, allowing you to express yourself instantly without interrupting the conversation.
Video calls with up to 32 participants and a featured speaker
A growing demand for virtual meetings, family gatherings, and events was to increase the number of participants in video calls. WhatsApp now supports up to 32 participants in a single video call , on both mobile and PC. For full details, you can check out the new group capabilities in WhatsApp.
To facilitate communication in large calls, WhatsApp has implemented the featured speaker feature : the person speaking is automatically highlighted and appears at the top of the screen, making it easy to identify who has the floor, an essential feature to avoid confusion in work or educational meetings.
In groups, you can also manually select who you want to participate in the video call, avoiding sending notifications to all group members every time a video call starts.
Audiovisual quality improvements: HD video and optimized sound
WhatsApp is now offering HD video call quality by default when using Wi-Fi networks . Users can also enable this quality on mobile data connections directly from the settings menu, allowing them to enjoy crisp, high-definition images in any situation. For more information on improving your call quality, visit the ultimate guide to WhatsApp calls and video calls.
To complement the visual improvements, background noise cancellation and voice isolation have been added , ensuring clear conversations even in noisy environments. Furthermore, WhatsApp has implemented a new audio codec (MLow), which enhances audio quality, reduces echo, and smooths out interference, resulting in a much more professional listening experience.
This intelligent audio and video processing technology activates automatically and adapts to network and environmental conditions, preventing call interruptions or distortions and always prioritizing quality.
Augmented reality, AI, and avatars: the future of video calling on WhatsApp
In addition to traditional backgrounds and effects, WhatsApp is exploring the integration of augmented reality and the possibility of using custom avatars in video calls . These features allow you, for example, to appear on screen with 3D elements, accessories, a face swap, or even replace your image with a virtual avatar that mimics your movements, without showing your real face.
Video calls on WhatsApp Web and Desktop
WhatsApp has paid special attention to the PC and Mac experience. There's now a dedicated tab for initiating, receiving, and managing video calls from WhatsApp Web or Desktop , with the same advanced features like filters, backgrounds, screen sharing, and participant control as on mobile. To incorporate these features into your workflow, see how to make video calls from WhatsApp Web.
This makes it very easy to take meetings from your computer to your mobile device and vice versa, maintaining a professional or collaborative work environment from any platform. Syncing is automatic, and all the new privacy, video, and audio features are also available for desktop users.
Tips to improve your WhatsApp video call experience
- Keep the application updated to access the latest video calling features, filters, and quality improvements.
- Clean your camera lens with a soft cloth to obtain the best possible image.
- Use a stable WiFi connection or enable HD video on mobile data from the app settings.
- Turn off data and battery saving mode during video calls to avoid quality restrictions or unexpected interruptions.
- Clear WhatsApp cache regularly to ensure smooth operation.
- On iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices, you can blur the background natively from your video settings.
- Take advantage of control shortcuts (mute, camera, screen sharing) before entering a call to configure your privacy and presentation.
WhatsApp video calls have become a powerful, secure, and highly customizable tool. Thanks to its new range of options—from AI-generated visual effects and backgrounds to full video and audio control, expanded participant count, and improved audio-visual quality—the platform is positioned as one of the most comprehensive platforms for connecting in any situation.