Having your WhatsApp call displayed on your device’s screen while you’re on a call can be very useful. It allows you to easily see who you’re talking to, control the call, and multitask while staying on the video call. However, by default, WhatsApp calls do not show on the screen and are only audible when not in the app. Here are some tips on how to make your WhatsApp calls visible on screen.
Enable Picture-in-Picture Mode
The easiest way to make your WhatsApp calls show on screen is to enable Picture-in-picture mode. This feature displays a small floating window of the video call over other apps, allowing you to see your call while simultaneously using other apps on your device. Here is how to enable it:
- For Android 8.0+ devices: Picture-in-picture mode is enabled by default. To use it, simply press the Home button while on a WhatsApp call. The video call will shrink into a small floating window you can drag around.
- For Android 7.0+ devices: You need to enable Picture-in-picture in Settings. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Picture-in-picture and enable it for WhatsApp.
- For iOS devices: Make sure you have updated to iOS 14 or later. Then open WhatsApp Settings > Picture-in-Picture and enable it. Press the Home button during a call to activate it.
Once enabled, the floating Picture-in-picture window will appear when you exit WhatsApp during a call. You can drag it around, resize it, and continue using other apps while your WhatsApp call is visible on screen.
Use a Floating Widget App
If your device does not support Picture-in-picture for WhatsApp, another method is to use a floating widget app. These apps provide customizable floating widgets that will remain visible over other apps.
To use them for WhatsApp calls:
- Download a floating widget app like Floating Widgets, Super Status Bar, Floating Apps, etc from the Play Store.
- Open the app and enable permissions if prompted.
- Create a new floating video widget and select WhatsApp from the app list.
- Position and resize the widget how you prefer.
- Make a WhatsApp video call and it will show in the floating widget.
Adjust the transparency and settings so the widget does not obstruct anything. You can now see your WhatsApp call anywhere while using other apps!
Use Pop Up View
Many Samsung and LG devices have a Pop Up View or Pop Out Video feature that can display a video in a floating window.
To make WhatsApp calls visible on screen using it:
- Start a WhatsApp video call.
- Drag down the notification bar and look for the WhatsApp notification.
- Tap the Pop Up View icon on the notification.
This will open the video call in a resizable pop up window you can position anywhere. You can now multitask with the call visible on the screen.
Use Split Screen Mode
If your Android or iPad supports split screen multitasking, you can use it to make WhatsApp calls visible while using other apps.
To enable it:
- Start a WhatsApp video call.
- Open the Recents/Recent Apps view and locate the WhatsApp app preview.
- Tap the Split Screen icon on the WhatsApp preview (the icon varies by device).
- Select the second app to open in split screen.
This will open WhatsApp and the other app side-by-side. Resize the windows so the call is visible. You can now use both apps simultaneously with the call on display.
Use NavStar to Force Any App into Split Screen
An alternate split screen method for Samsung Galaxy devices is to use the NavStar app from the Galaxy Store. NavStar lets you force any app into split screen view.
To do this:
- Download and install NavStar from the Galaxy Store.
- Open NavStar settings and enable Force split screen view.
- Open your WhatsApp call and tap the Recents button.
- Tap the WhatsApp app icon at the top again to force it into split screen.
- Select the second app to display.
The WhatsApp call will be forced into split screen mode with the other app. You can resize the windows and multitask while the call is visible on display.
Use Desktop Apps
One of the easiest ways to view your WhatsApp calls on a large screen is to use the desktop apps for Windows and Mac. They provide much more screen space for your video calls.
To use them:
- Download and install WhatsApp Desktop on your computer.
- Link it to your WhatsApp account on your phone by scanning the QR code.
- When you get a WhatsApp call on your phone, answer it.
- The call will transfer to your computer screen so you can view it large and clearly.
The desktop apps also stay in sync with your mobile apps for convenient messaging and calling on a bigger screen.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you can’t view your WhatsApp calls on screen:
- Check that Picture-in-picture, Pop Up View, Split Screen are enabled in your device settings as mentioned above.
- Confirm that you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
- Force close and clear cache of the WhatsApp app then try again.
- Restart your phone and check if the options work.
- For desktop apps, make sure your phone and computer are connected to the same WiFi network.
- On iPhone, confirm WhatsApp has access to Picture-in-Picture in Settings > FaceTime.
- If issues persist, contact WhatsApp support for further help.
Conclusion
Being able to view your WhatsApp calls directly on your screen while multitasking is very useful. Thankfully, Android and iOS provide several options like Picture-in-picture, Split Screen, Floating Widgets, Desktop Apps and more to achieve this. Enable the options best suited for your device and you can conveniently make WhatsApp calls visible on screen while doing other tasks.