WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the UK thanks to its ease of use, the fact it doesn’t matter if you have an iPhone or an Android phone, and how it allows global communication for free over mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Those of us who remember long-distance phone calls and Skype (RIP) credit understand that WhatsApp is a minor miracle of technology and convenience, but the service is still adding features – some of which you might imagine it should already have.

If you want to use WhatsApp with a larger screen, whether you have an iPhone or Android phone with WhatsApp installed, you can also use WhatsApp Web to view your messages. This can be done by visiting web.whatsapp.com and scanning the QR code that displays using your phone’s camera.

This then logs you into your WhatsApp account in a web browser, letting you use the app as normal on your PC or Mac’s screen and keyboard. It’s a good option if you want to have longer MSN Messenger-style conversations, or to view photos and videos from WhatsApp on a bigger display.

One thing that’s sorely missing however from WhatsApp Web is calling, meaning you can’t place or receive voice or video calls using the otherwise useful version of WhatsApp.

Calling is available in the iOS and Android version of WhatsApp, and is also available in the official PC and Mac apps, which are downloaded and installed from app stores or from WhatsApp’s website.

But WhatsApp Web, which is a web portal rather than an app, can’t make calls. This means you can’t boot it up on your PC to have a more comfortable video call using your webcam, or use it for a quick group call.

According to a report from WABetaInfo, a site that exclusively tracks upcoming WhatsApp features, WhatsApp Web will soon introduce voice and video calling. The report says this has been spotted in the beta program of WhatsApp, which allows registered users to get access to new WhatsApp features before they are released to the wider public.

Though this is not always a sign that the feature is definitely coming to all WhatsApp users, most of the time when WABetaInfo spots a new feature in beta, it soon makes its way to the official version. If that’s the case, you don’t have long to wait for this one.

“This initial release lets users place calls directly from their browser without installing a desktop app,” the report said.

“The feature has been in development for about a year, over which time WhatsApp has refined the experience to match the functionality offered by desktop apps. This initial rollout focuses on individual chats, allowing users to place both voice and video calls without installing the desktop app. Users can simply open a chat and click the call button to start.”

It claims that WhatsApp Web users will also be able to share their screens during a video call, which will be a useful feature from a desktop PC or laptop, similar to screen sharing features common in rival video calling apps such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

“Voice and video calling are available to some users who have signed up for the WhatsApp Web beta program,” WABetaInfo said. “Over the next few weeks, WhatsApp will roll out this feature to more users, making it available even to users outside the beta program. Group calling will also be released after an initial testing phase, enabling WhatsApp to provide a complete calling experience.”

Though there is no date suggested, if this report is correct then you will soon be able to use voice and video calling on every available version of WhatsApp, now including the very useful WhatsApp Web.