Meta brings AV1 to majority of Messenger and WhatsApp calls
Meta has expanded AV1 video codec support to the majority of mobile devices for its real-time communication (RTC) applications, Messenger and WhatsApp. To overcome computational and bandwidth-constrained network limitations, Meta deployed an ultra-low-complexity encoder preset, integrated the dav1d decoder, and utilized a custom ML-based device eligibility framework. The architecture also leverages adaptive codec complexity switching and advanced error-resilience tools like temporal layers and Long-Term Reference (LTR) frames.
Key Takeaways
- Internal ultra-low-complexity encoder achieves power consumption parity with H.264 baseline for mobile RTC.
- Integrated VideoLAN's dav1d decoder to enable real-time playback on devices lacking hardware-based AV1 decoding.
- Custom ML framework (Model V2) classifies Android devices into two tiers for optimized encoding settings.
- Asymmetric codec design allows mid-range phones to receive AV1 from high-end peers while sending H.264/AVC.
- Real-world testing confirmed bitrate reductions of 20%, particularly benefiting users in emerging markets with 10-400 kbps connections.
Why It Matters
Meta's full-scale implementation marks a pivotal transition for AV1 from heavy video-on-demand workloads to latency-sensitive real-time communication. By solving the power and computational hurdles on low-end mobile hardware through software optimizations, Meta addresses the 'last mile' of the AV1 ecosystem where hardware support remains fragmented. This move puts pressure on rival platforms like Google Meet and Zoom to follow suit or risk losing market share in data-constrained regions. Expect industry focus to shift toward group call optimizations and the upcoming AV2 standard as software-based AV1 implementations reach saturation on mobile platforms.
Additional Context
The expansion of AV1 into real-time communication reflects a broader industry momentum toward the royalty-free codec. Per AOMedia (June 2026), the release of the AV2 specification has already begun to shadow current deployments, though AV1 remains the 'standard of the present' for mainstream video. Industry data from Netflix (January 2026) indicates that AV1 now represents roughly 30% of its global streaming traffic, while YouTube reports that over 75% of its watch time is delivered via AV1. These platforms have successfully pivoted to a multi-codec ladder strategy, serving AV1 to capable devices—including those using software decoders like dav1d—while maintaining H.264 as a universal fallback. On the hardware front, global device certification trends show that approximately 88% of large-screen devices submitted between 2021 and 2025 included native AV1 support, according to Streaming Media (March 2026). However, a persistent gap remains in mobile encoding; while 99% of modern sessions can decode AV1, only 98% can effectively encode it, per WebCodecs reporting. This encode-decode asymmetry is exactly what Meta’s asymmetric design addresses. Furthermore, Sisvel announced in July 2025 that its AV1 patent pool has licensed roughly 50% of the finished-product market, complicating the 'royalty-free' narrative even as adoption becomes ubiquitous. Competitive pressures are mounting as SoC vendors such as MediaTek and Qualcomm have standardized AV1 hardware decoding across their flagship and high-tier chipsets, such as the Dimensity 9300 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 series. Despite this, software-based solutions remains critical for the Android ecosystem’s long tail. AOMedia's Adoption Showcase (September 2024) previously highlighted how Google Meet and Vimeo were early indicators of this trend, using AV1 to lower data consumption. As Meta moves to extend AV1 to group calls, the industry anticipates a surge in demand for specialized Video Processing Units (VPUs) to handle the increased density and latency requirements.
Read full article at engineering.fb.com
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