WhatsApp for Android to Allow Users to Turn Off Camera Before Video Calls: Report
WhatsApp
By Himani Jha | Updated Mar 13, 2025, 3:20 PM IST
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a feature that will let Android users disable their camera before initiating or joining video calls. This potential update, currently under development, aims to provide users with greater control over their privacy and appearance. Leaked screenshots suggest a toggle switch within the video call interface. Read all details here.
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that could offer Android users additional options for answering video calls. The messaging app is reportedly trialing a new feature that allows users to disable their device's camera before answering a video call. The reported WhatsApp feature in development has been found in the APK of a beta version of the application. It is said to provide users with greater control over their privacy and appearance. Leaked screenshots suggest a toggle switch within the video call interface. Read all details.
WhatsApp new feature to let users disable camera before video calls
Android Authority identified the feature after conducting an APK teardown of the WhatsApp beta app for Android version 2.25.7.3. Although the feature is not currently accessible to the public, the publication was able to enable it by experimenting with the app. It is claimed to provide a feature called Turn off your video when someone receives a video call, allowing them to disable the video before answering. This indicates that the call will supposedly be taken in a voice-only format.
If the camera is turned off, the app might show another Accept without video message as a verification. The report indicates that WhatsApp users will be able to activate the camera during a call by selecting the Turn on your video option.
Currently, WhatsApp does not provide a comparable feature. Although users have the option to disable their video feed during a video call, they can only do this after activating it. Nonetheless, the feature currently in development is anticipated to offer capabilities similar to those of Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and various other video-conferencing platforms.
Additional WhatsApp features in progress
Previous reports indicate that the instant messaging application is creating multiple new features for Android users. One of the noted enhancements is a UPI Lite feature that is thought to streamline the payment process by allowing users to make transactions without inputting the PIN.
In the meantime, WhatsApp could soon introduce a refreshed interface for Meta AI — its conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. It is claimed to provide an automatic voice feature along with quick suggestions to assist users in beginning.
WhatsApp new feature to let users disable camera before video calls
Android Authority identified the feature after conducting an APK teardown of the WhatsApp beta app for Android version 2.25.7.3. Although the feature is not currently accessible to the public, the publication was able to enable it by experimenting with the app. It is claimed to provide a feature called Turn off your video when someone receives a video call, allowing them to disable the video before answering. This indicates that the call will supposedly be taken in a voice-only format.
If the camera is turned off, the app might show another Accept without video message as a verification. The report indicates that WhatsApp users will be able to activate the camera during a call by selecting the Turn on your video option.
Currently, WhatsApp does not provide a comparable feature. Although users have the option to disable their video feed during a video call, they can only do this after activating it. Nonetheless, the feature currently in development is anticipated to offer capabilities similar to those of Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and various other video-conferencing platforms.
Additional WhatsApp features in progress
Previous reports indicate that the instant messaging application is creating multiple new features for Android users. One of the noted enhancements is a UPI Lite feature that is thought to streamline the payment process by allowing users to make transactions without inputting the PIN.
In the meantime, WhatsApp could soon introduce a refreshed interface for Meta AI — its conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. It is claimed to provide an automatic voice feature along with quick suggestions to assist users in beginning.