July 19, 2026

WhatsApp adds new calling features for the holidays

WhatsApp
Reading Time: 2 minutes

WhatsApp is making it easier to connect with loved ones this holiday season with new calling features for desktop and mobile. You can now select specific participants when starting a call from a group chat, so you can call exactly who you want without disrupting the rest. This is ideal for planning surprise parties or presents.

Video calls are also getting a makeover with ten new effects that can transform your calls into even more fun conversations. You can add puppy ears, take yourself underwater, or even hand yourself a microphone for karaoke. Additionally, video calls are getting a boost in quality. Whether you’re calling from desktop or mobile, calls are now more reliable, and you can enjoy higher resolution video with a clearer picture on both 1:1 and group calls.

Calling on desktop is also getting an upgrade. When you click the calls tab on the WhatsApp desktop app, you’ll easily find everything you need to start a call, create a call link, or dial a number directly.

WhatsApp has been around since 2009 and has quickly become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. It’s known for its simplicity and reliability, and it’s used by people of all ages and backgrounds. In recent years, WhatsApp has been adding more and more features to its app, including voice and video calling. Unlike in the United States, where protocols like SMS, MMS, RCS, and iMessage dominate messaging across the country, WhatsApp has remained extremely popular globally. Additionally, it has always been a popular backup option for Americans to use when the other existing options fail.

I think these new calling features are a great addition to WhatsApp. I especially like the ability to select specific participants when starting a call from a group chat. This is a really useful feature that I can see myself using all the time. I also like the new video call effects. They look like a lot of fun, and they can help to make video calls more engaging. I think these new features will make WhatsApp even more popular, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for the app.

Share it:
NAORA V4 970x250

Must reads:

Behind the Buzz
Retail News Asia — Your Daily Fix of What’s Happening in Asian Retail

We’re here to keep you in the loop—every single day. Whether you’re running a small local shop, scaling an online biz, or part of a global brand making moves in Asia, we’ve got something for you.

With 50+ fresh stories a week and 13.6 million readers, Retail News Asia isn’t just another news site—it’s the go-to source for all things retail across the region.
Retail Kitchen
We respect your inbox as much as we value your time. That’s why we only send carefully curated weekly updates, packed with the most relevant news, trends, and insights from the retail industry across Asia and beyond.
Copyright © 2014 -2026 |
Redwind BV