WhatsApp video calls not minimizing is a common issue many users face. There could be several reasons why your WhatsApp video call screen does not minimize or go into a small window when you try to multitask or use other apps during an ongoing call.
Quick Fixes to Try
Here are some quick things you can try to get your WhatsApp video call to minimize:
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Check if any app is blocking or interfering with WhatsApp
- Toggle WhatsApp’s display over other apps setting
- Update your Android OS version
- Clear WhatsApp cache and data
Detailed Fixes and Reasons for WhatsApp Not Minimizing
If the quick fixes don’t work, here are some more detailed troubleshooting steps to fix WhatsApp video calls not minimizing:
Outdated WhatsApp Version
An outdated version of WhatsApp can cause problems with video call optimization and multi-tasking. Make sure you are on the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3 dot menu in top right
- Go to Settings > Help > App info
- Check if any updates are available for WhatsApp and install them
Other Apps Interfering
Some other apps like chat heads, pop up windows, screen overlays etc can interfere with WhatsApp’s ability to correctly minimize video calls. Check for any such apps running in the background.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access
- Look for Display over other apps and check which apps have this permission
- Disable this permission for apps like Facebook, Messenger etc to see if it fixes the issue
Toggle WhatsApp’s Display Over Other Apps Setting
WhatsApp has its own display over other apps setting which needs to be enabled for video calls to minimize.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Display over other apps
- Check if WhatsApp has this permission enabled
- If disabled, toggle it on and check if video calls now minimize
Outdated Android Version
Old Android versions may not have full optimization and support for WhatsApp video call multi-tasking. Update your Android version for best results.
- Go to Settings > About phone > System updates
- Check if any OS updates are available for your device
- Install the latest Android version available
Clear WhatsApp Cache and Data
Junk cached data and files can also interfere with WhatsApp’s operation. Wiping its data may fix not minimizing issues.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps
- Select WhatsApp > Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear data
- Open WhatsApp again and check if video calls now minimize
Problem with Your Phone’s OS/Software
Some devices, especially lower-end phones, may have limitations in their software that prevent WhatsApp video calls from minimizing properly. Not much you can do in this case apart from requesting an update from phone manufacturer.
Why Does WhatsApp Video Call Not Minimize? – Explained
Now that you’ve tried fixing it, let’s understand why WhatsApp video call does not minimize in the first place:
Designed Behavior
WhatsApp’s default behavior is to show video calls in full screen and not allow minimizing them. This is designed to avoid distractions and ensure users focus on the call.
System Resources/Multi-tasking Limitations
Video calls utilize significant system resources. Low-end phones may lack enough RAM and processing power to properly run a minimized video call in the background.
App Issues or Bugs
Bugs or issues in WhatsApp’s code or conflicts with other apps/services can also randomly cause problems with call optimization and multi-tasking.
OS Limitations or Issues
As mentioned before, the Android OS itself may have limitations or bugs that affect background video call capabilities on some devices.
Security Restrictions
In some cases, antivirus apps or security restrictions imposed by device manufacturers may affect WhatsApp’s ability to display over other apps.
When Does WhatsApp Video Call Minimize
WhatsApp video calls minimize in the following situations:
- On iOS devices running iOS 14 and above
- On Android 10 and above on supported devices
- When you receive an incoming call during an ongoing video call (Picture-in-Picture mode)
- When you turn off your phone screen during a video call (only audio plays)
So in summary, newer iOS and Android versions have native support for minimized video calls. But the feature does not work reliably on all Android devices due to system limitations.
Workarounds for Using Other Apps During WhatsApp Call
If your WhatsApp video call still does not minimize, here are some tips to continue using other apps during a call:
- Use a headphone to continue the call while using other apps
- Activate WhatsApp Web on computer/laptop and transfer call there
- Use a secondary phone just for the WhatsApp call
- Enable auto-answer on a headset to recieve incoming calls
These are not ideal, but can help you multitask if the minimizing issue cannot be resolved.
Conclusion
To summarize, here are the key points:
- Outdated WhatsApp version, other interfering apps, OS issues etc could prevent minimizing
- Try the troubleshooting steps listed in this article to fix it
- Understand the technical reasons behind WhatsApp video calls not minimizing
- Use workarounds if the issue cannot be resolved on your device
I hope these steps help you figure out why your WhatsApp video call is not minimizing and how to fix it. Let me know if you have any other questions!