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Unlike popular messaging apps, most modern video conferencing platforms, including Zoom and Google Meet, provide the option to mute the microphone and turn off the camera before joining a group or one-on-one call.
For example, when you receive a video call on WhatsApp, you cannot disable your microphone or camera beforehand. However, this may change soon.
Currently, when you answer a WhatsApp video call, your front camera automatically turns on. If you prefer not to be seen, you have two options: accept the call and then turn off your camera, or decline the video call and initiate a voice call instead.
The latest WhatsApp beta version 2.25.7.3 for Android has revealed a workaround, introducing a feature that allows users to answer video calls while keeping their cameras off.
At the moment, the functionality is not yet live, so installing the beta version will not activate it. However, the available images confirm that users will soon have the ability to accept video calls without turning on their cameras. The prompt displayed under the caller’s portrait and name states: “Turn off your video.” When selected, the green “Swipe up to answer” button changes to “Accept without video” instead of “Swipe up to accept.”
Once the call begins, users will still have the option to turn their camera on or off at any time. Given the growing focus on user privacy, the real question is not if this feature will be introduced, but when.
This update follows recent reports that Google is developing a feature allowing its Messages users to initiate video calls with WhatsApp users directly from within the app.
