WhatsApp announces video calling on iOS, Android and Windows phones

WhatsApp video calling was enabled in the beta version of the app but today the Facebook-owned platform will activate for all users on iOS, Android and Windows devices.

To make a video call you will still have to tap on the call option on the top right corner within the chat and then a pop-up message will appear asking whether you want to place a voice or video call.

Some of the video call features are:

• switch between rear and front cameras
• mute call

WhatsApp shared the announcement on their blog:

Today we’re excited to announce the next step in our efforts to connect people – WhatsApp video calling. In the coming days, WhatsApp’s more than one billion users can make video calls across Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone devices.

We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough. There’s no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she’s studying abroad. And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.

Over the years we’ve received many requests from our users for video calling, and we’re excited to finally offer this feature to the world. Thank you for using WhatsApp and we promise to keep working hard every day to improve the service.

It’s been a long time coming seeing as its parent company Facebook alredy has the video calling feature in Messenger. WhatsApp can now sit at the rivals’ table with Skype, Viber, Google Duo, FaceTime and LINE. However, it has a wider user base so let’s see if the quality is as good as its competitors.

See how it works below: