Video calls in WhatsApp have long become an integral part of communication - be it work calls, conversations with relatives abroad or watching content together. However, on smartphones Samsung with an operating system Android users sometimes encounter nuances: the camera does not turn on, the sound disappears, or the video call button is completely absent in the chat. The reason lies not only in the settings of the messenger, but also in the features of the firmware One UIthat is installed on devices of the Korean brand.

In this article we will analyze all stages of setting up video calls from a basic check of permissions to solving specific problems typical for Samsung Galaxy S23, A54, A34 and other popular models. You will learn how to:

  • 🔍 Check the compatibility of your Samsung with video calls in WhatsApp
  • 📱 Set up permissions for the camera and microphone in One UI
  • 🔄 Update the messenger and firmware if the video call button is missing
  • 🛠️ Eliminate typical errors (black screen, no sound, connection failures)

We will pay special attention hidden power saving settings in Samsung that can block WhatsApp from running in the background - this is one of the most common reasons why video calls are interrupted or do not start at all. If you are a user Galaxy s Android 13/14, these instructions will help you avoid hours of pointless reboots and resets.

1. Checking the compatibility of your device and WhatsApp version

Before setting up video calls, make sure that your Samsung supports this feature. WhatsApp requires:

  • 📱 Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later (on Samsung this is One UI 2.0 and higher)
  • 🔄 WhatsApp version 2.21.15 or later (check in Google Play)
  • 📶 Stable connection to Wi-Fi or 4G/5G (video calls consume ~5-8 MB/min)

On models Samsung Galaxy J-series (released before 2018) or with Android 4.4 and below video calls may not work due to hardware limitations. To check the version Android:

  1. Open Settings → Phone information → Android version Settings → Phone information → Android version
  2. Compare with the minimum WhatsApp requirements on official support page.
📊 Which Samsung model are you using?
Galaxy S23/S22
Galaxy A54/A34
Galaxy M-series
Budget model (J-series, until 2019)
Other

If your device meets the requirements, but the video call button is still missing, the problem may lie in:

  • 🔄 Old version of WhatsApp (update to Google Play)
  • 🔒 Region restrictions (in some countries the function is blocked at the operator level)
  • 🛠️ Application cache failure (solution - clearing data, see section 5)

2. Setting permissions for the camera and microphone

A common reason why a video call in WhatsApp on Samsung does not work is the lack of permissions to access camera i microphone. T One UI these settings may be reset after updates or user profile changes. To set them up:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find WhatsApp in the list and tap on it.
  3. Go to Permissions.
  4. Activate the switches for:
    • 📷 Camera (allow access "During use")
    • 🎤 Microphone (allow always or during use usage)
    • 📍 Storage (necessary for sending media files)

☑️ Checking WhatsApp permissions on Samsung

Done: 0 / 4

On Samsung Galaxy s Android 13/14 Additional permission may be required for display on top of other windows (needed for a floating video call window). To enable it:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Advanced.
  2. Tap Display on top of other applications and activate permission.
    3. ⚠️ Attention: If after the update One UI permissions are not in the list, try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp. On some firmware Samsung Resetting application settings does not restore default permissions.

    3. Optimizing energy saving for stable calls

    One ​​of The most insidious reasons for video call dropouts on Samsung is aggressive battery optimization in One UI. The system can forcefully close WhatsApp in the background, which leads to:

    • ❌ Call interruption after 1-2 minutes
    • ❌ Lack of incoming notifications video calls
    • ❌ Black screen when trying to connect

To disable optimization for WhatsApp:

  1. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Battery.
  2. Tap Background activity (or Battery optimization on older versions).
  3. Find WhatsApp in the list and select No restrictions.
  4. Go back and open Sleep mode - add WhatsApp to the list Always active applications.

On Galaxy S23 Ultra and other flagships with Android 14 you may also need to disable the Adaptive battery function:

  1. Open Settings → Battery → Additionally.
  2. Disable the switch Adaptive battery.
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If after these steps video calls still end, try turning off the power saving mode completely for the duration of the call. To do this, swipe down the notification panel and tap on the battery icon to remove restrictions.

4. Updating WhatsApp and device firmware

If the video call button in WhatsApp is missing or the function is unstable, check that the application and firmware version are up to date Samsung.

Update WhatsApp:

  1. Open Google Play.
  2. Enter in search WhatsApp.
  3. If there is a button Update, press it.
  4. After updating, restart your phone.

Samsung firmware update:

  1. Go to Settings → Software update.
  2. Tap Download and install.
  3. If the update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and wait for completion.
Problem Probable cause Solution
No video call button Outdated version of WhatsApp Update via Google Play
Call ends after 1-2 minutes Battery optimization in One UI Disable restrictions for WhatsApp
Black screen when calling Conflict with One UI shell Clear WhatsApp cache or reinstall
No sound from the interlocutor The microphone is blocked by other applications Close background applications, check permissions
⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy A13 s Android 12) after updating the firmware, you may need to reset your network settings. To do this, go to Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settings.

5. Solving problems with a black screen and no sound

If during a video call you see a black screen or the other party cannot hear you, the problem may be related to:

  • 🔍 Conflict with other applications (for example, Bixby or Secure Folder)
  • 📱 Camera hardware limitations (on budget models Samsung)
  • 🔊 Incorrect sound settings in One UI

Black screen:

  1. Close all background applications (especially those that use the camera - Instagram, TikTok).
  2. Clear the WhatsApp cache: Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear cache.
  3. Try using the front camera instead of the main one (sometimes the main camera conflicts with One UI).

No sound:

  1. Make sure that the microphone is not physically blocked (some Samsung have dust protection).
  2. Check whether the mode is activated Speaker only in the call settings (tap on the speaker icon during call).
  3. Disable Bluetoothdevices (headphones, speakers) that can intercept the audio stream.
What to do if the interlocutor hears an echo?

Echoes during video calls in WhatsApp on Samsung usually occur due to a conflict with the function Dolby Atmos or Adaptive sound. To fix the problem:

Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality and effects.

2. Disable Dolby Atmos or Adaptive sound.

3. call.

6. Alternative methods of making video calls

If a standard video call in WhatsApp on Samsung does not work, use alternative methods:

Method 1: Call through a browser (WhatsApp Web)

  • 🌐 Open web.whatsapp.com in Samsung Internet or Chrome.
  • 🔗 Scan the QR code from your phone.
  • 📹 Click on the contact and select the video camera icon.

This method bypasses restrictions One UI, but requires a stable Internet.

Method 2: Using duplicate applications

On some firmware Samsung installation helps WhatsApp Business or Parallel Space (to create a second account). However, please note that:

  • 🔄 Duplicate applications may conflict with the main WhatsApp.
  • 🔒 Not all video calling features are available in WhatsApp Business.
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If video calls do not work either through the app or through the browser, the problem is most likely on the side of the WhatsApp servers. Check the status of the service on the website Downdetector.

7. Resetting WhatsApp settings without losing data

If none of the methods helped, try resetting WhatsApp without deleting chats:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → WhatsApp.
  2. Tap Memory → Clear cache.
  3. Go back and select Manage data → Clear all data (DO NOT press!).
  4. Instead, click Reset settings (if there is such an item).
  5. Restart the phone and re-enter WhatsApp.

If there is no item Reset settings use backup:

  1. Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
  2. Create a backup copy to Google Drive.
  3. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
  4. Restore chats from backup when you first start.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung s Android 11 and below, WhatsApp backups may not be restored if you changed your phone number or SIM card. Before resetting, make sure that the copy was created successfully.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about video calls in WhatsApp on Samsung

❓ Why is there no video call button in WhatsApp, although the application is updated?

There may be reasons as follows:

  • 📱 Your Samsung is running on Android 4.4 or older (video calls are supported from Android 5.0).
  • 🔒 WhatsApp is blocked by the device administrator (on work phones).
  • 🌍 You are in region where video calls are limited (for example, in some countries in the Middle East).

Solution: Check the version Android in Settings → Phone information and update the firmware if possible.

❓ How to enable video calling in a WhatsApp group chat on Samsung?

Group video calls in WhatsApp are supported, but with limitations:

  • 👥 Maximum 8 participants simultaneously.
  • 📱 On Samsung s Android 10 and below there may be lags.

To start a group call:

  1. Open the group chat.
  2. Tap the video camera icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Add participants from your contact list.
❓ Is it possible to record video calls in WhatsApp on Samsung?

WhatsApp does not provide built-in call recording functions, but you can use:

  • 🎥 Screen recording (in One UI: Swipe down the notification panel → Screen recording).
  • 🔊 Recorder applications (for example, AZ Screen Recorder), but the other party will be notified about the recording in some countries.

⚠️ Recording calls without the consent of the interlocutor may violate privacy laws!

❓ Why does a video call on WhatsApp on Samsung only work via Wi-Fi?

If calls do not go through the mobile data (4G/5G), check:

  • 📶 Operator restrictions (some tariffs block VoIP traffic).
  • 🔧 APN (access point) settings. To Samsung:
    1. Open Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access points (APN).
    2. Select your operator's profile and make sure that the field APN protocol is set to IPv4/IPv6.
❓ How to reduce traffic consumption when making video calls on WhatsApp?

Video calls consume ~5-8 MB/min, but you can reduce consumption:

  • 📉 Enable Saving traffic in WhatsApp settings: ⋮ → Settings → Storage and data → Saving traffic.
  • 📵 Use audio call instead of video, if the connection quality is poor.
  • 🔄 Connect to Wi-Fi before the call.