WhatsApp Video Calling Feature Removed in Latest Android Beta Update

Advertisement
By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 16 May 2016 18:13 IST
Highlights
  • Latest beta release of WhatsApp for Android removes Video Call function.
  • The new update bumps the version to 2.16.81.
  • We can expect broader rollout of video calls on WhatsApp soon.
WhatsApp doesn't seem quite ready to roll out its video calling feature yet. The company has pulled the feature from its latest beta app version. WhatsApp Video Calling was spotted last week in v2.16.80 of the Android app available via the Google Play beta testing program. The 'Video Call' feature wasn't functional though it was accessible via the call button within a conversation and appeared alongside the choice of audio call.

Now, WhatsApp v2.16.81 for Android has now rolled out via the Google Play beta testing program removes the feature, and the video call option is no longer visible via call button. Users can sideload the updated app via the APK Mirror. We wonder what this means to the timeline and the manner of the video calling feature rollout. To refresh, the messaging service rolled out voice calling in a phased manner and was initially available to select users via an invite-based system. On tapping the call button while using the v2.16.80 of the WhatsApp beta for Android, users were greeted with a message saying "Couldn't place call. Video Calling is unavailable at this time."

WhatsApp has been lately working on adding various features to its messaging service. It is expected to add call back, voicemail, and zip file sharing features apart from the video calls support to the service soon.

Recently, WhatsApp launched desktop apps for Windows and Mac. With the launch of desktop app, WhatsApp made its messaging service available across all popular platforms in app form. The WhatsApp desktop app, just like the Web client, requires users to scan a QR code using the WhatsApp app on the smartphone. On the smartphone, users will have to look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings.

Advertisement

Earlier this year, the messaging service WhatsApp announced that it now had 1 billion monthly active users.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Apps, Facebook, Social, WhatsApp
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Best Diwali 2025 Wishes, Quotes, and Facebook Statuses to Share
  1. Mysterious Asteroid Impact Found in Australia, But the Crater is Missing
  2. Thanal Comes to OTT: Everything You Need to Know About This Tamil Action Thriller
  3. Madam Sengupta Is Now Streaming: Know Where to Watch This Bangla Crime Thriller
  4. Ryugu Samples Reveal Ancient Water Flow on Asteroid for a Billion Years
  5. Scientists Create Most Detailed Radio Map of Early Universe Using MWA
  6. Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 OTT Release: Know When, Where to Watch Jeremy Renner's Crime Drama
  7. Our Fault Is Streaming Now: Know All About This Gabriel Guevara and Nicole Wallace Starrer
  8. The Conjuring: Last Rites Is Now Streaming Online: Know Where to Watch the Latest Installment from the Horror Franchise
  9. Delhi Crime Season 3 OTT Release: Know When to Watch This Shefali Shah Thriller Series
  10. Vast Space to Launch Haven-1, the World’s First Private Space Station in 2026
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.