Linux @lemmy.ml sandayle @lemmy.ml 9 hr. ago

How to use Whatsapp Video Call on Linux?

How can I use Whatsapp video call on Linux?

I tried Whatsapp-for-Linux and Whatsie but they didn't work.

31 comments

The web application, which is often repacked into "native" applications, doesn't support calling. Waydroid doesn't support audio/video in/output for WhatsApp according to various Github threads.

Your best bet may be to set up Android-x86 in a virtual machine and using USB forwarding to get video working. I'm not sure what you'd need to get sound working, though.

It's also possible that Google's development emulator can run this stuff, I recall it having a webcam forwarding feature at least, but I don't know about audio or if WhatsApp will work on there.
- BlissOS is a continued version of Androidx86
Step 1: Don't.

Video calling using Signal on Linux works perfectly.
- this is the way
could Waydroid be used for this?
- Waydroid has no camera passthrough. The only person willing to do that kinda vanished in Oct 2023.
- You can't send your video, receiving video and sending/receiving audio work.
You cant

There is no official whatsapp app for Linux and all of the apps on the store rely on whatsapp web
Video calls are not supported under Linux afaik, since they don't enable it for the web version.
- I wonder if they're supported on Windows with Chrome..? Maybe this is a case of simply replacing the UA string?
  
  They don't support calling in any browsers. If I recall correctly they're using some kind of native library to encrypt and transcode the video, which the browser obviously can't use. You need to get the native app on Windows and macOS.
Using an Android emulator like Waydroid or compatibility layer like Anbox you might be able to use the Android version on Linux and pick up calls from there?

I have good experiences with Waydroid, but no experience with WhatsApp so I can't guarantee it will work, it's just a suggestion that I hope will help
- Waydroid has no camera passthrough
- I've had really good experience with Genymotion android emulation on Linux, even on underpowered devices. Might work well to do video calls
- Interesting
You can use jitsi both on mobile and desktop and it is platform agnostic, privacy respecting and FOSS. Just dont use whatsapp (video) at all.
- Thank you, I like Jitsi but it is not always under my control. My supervisor sometimes calls me on Whatsapp and there is nothing I can do.
  
  You could mirror your android phone using a tool I forgot the name of and never got to work but many people use it.
  
  There is a Qt version for it on Linux, forgot the name
  
  My supervisor was an FOSS guy. He used Linux, Libreoffice everything but he still insisted on whatsapp for informal communication. I guess network effects is hard to avoid.
  
  Tell your supervisor WhatsApp doesn't work on your computer and suggest any of the several dozen alternatives.
@sandayle Don't use WutzÄbb, Period
- People who say this in response to a request for help should just be perma-banned. Just get rid of them flat out. It’s the sure sign that someone is a total buffoon and will only ever make the place worse.
  
  I think there's value in pushback against popular but problematic software. Some people just don't realize that, for example, WhatsApp is owned entirely by Meta and is known to collaborate with law enforcement, which are two facts that entirely undermine its main selling point.
  
  Using WhatsApp is the only thing that makes this place worse.
- Ah yes, the obligatory "lol just don't use $thing" response. Helps nobody, but I guess it lets you feel superior.
  
  I hate Facebook as much as anyone, but in the real world people don't always have the luxury of getting to use whatever you consider morally correct. Especially with a messenger – depending on where you are, Whatsapp might just be what most people are using, and the people are the reason you would use a messenger in the first place.
  
  Ah yes, the obligatory "superiority" response. Because it's nothing to do with trying to improve your situation or preserving your rights or the rights of others, it's only about "superiority" LOL
  
  I hate Facebook as much as anyone
  
  I don't think you do.
  
  in the real world people don't always have the luxury of getting to use whatever you consider morally correct.
  
  Yes. They do. And the world is a shit place because they choose not to.
- I hate Whatsapp. I didn't use it for three years, but I have to use it for the last two years due to my work.
  
  @sandayle I'm really sorry about that and you have my fullest condolences. Nobody should be forced to use non-free software
- Yeah, because he is using it for fun. You are totally right :)

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