Overview
- WhatsApp announced guest calling on Wednesday, October 14, and has started a staged rollout that brings link-based voice and video calls to Android, iOS and Web users who update to the latest versions.
- Calls joined by link are free, end-to-end encrypted, have no time limits, and can include up to 32 participants in one-on-one or group conversations.
- Anyone who opens a shared call link types a name and waits in a virtual waiting room until the host approves them, and hosts can remove guests at any time to keep control of the call.
- Guests cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, send messages, or add people, but once admitted they can use in-call tools such as screen sharing, emoji reactions, and a raised-hand feature; only account holders can create call links and some platform limits like mobile-browser camera restrictions have been reported during rollout.
- The change brings WhatsApp closer to services that use join-by-link invitations and could make ad-hoc meetings and calls with non-users easier, with Google Calendar and Outlook plugin support promised later this year.