WhatsApp has officially announced the launch of its Guest Calling feature, allowing people without an account on the messaging platform to join WhatsApp group calls.
Guests will not need to download the WhatsApp application on their phones or computers or create an account to use the feature. By clicking a link shared by the call host, they will be able to join conversations directly through a web browser. The feature is expected to make it easier to include people who do not use WhatsApp in office meetings, online classes and family conversations.
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Guests Can Join Through Links, but Host Approval Is Required
Under the Guest Calling feature, a person initiating a WhatsApp call can generate a link and share it with individuals they want to include in the conversation. After receiving the link, a guest can open it in a web browser on a computer or laptop and request to join the call. Having a WhatsApp account will not be mandatory.
However, receiving a link will not allow anyone to enter an ongoing call automatically. Guests will first have to wait in a waiting room. They will be able to join the conversation only after the host grants permission. This arrangement is intended to reduce the risk of unknown individuals entering calls without approval.
Initially, guests without WhatsApp accounts will be able to use the feature through a web browser. Browsers such as Google Chrome and Safari can be used for this purpose. This will allow people who do not have WhatsApp installed on their devices to participate in calls through a shared link.
Privacy and Encryption Remain a Priority
WhatsApp has also considered privacy and security while introducing the feature. According to the company, calls will remain protected by end-to-end encryption even when guest users join. The objective is to safeguard conversations between participants.
Additionally, guest users will not be able to see the phone numbers of other participants. This could be particularly useful for people who want to participate in office meetings, online events or group discussions without sharing their personal phone numbers.
The waiting room will also allow the host to decide who can join the conversation. However, users should remain cautious when clicking call links received from unknown sources. They should also ensure that links are shared only with the intended participants.
What to Do If the Feature Is Not Available on Your Phone
To access the feature, Android users can check the Google Play Store, while iPhone users can visit the App Store to update WhatsApp to the latest available version. After updating, they can check the Calls tab within the application for the option to create a new call link.
If the option does not appear even after updating the application, users do not need to worry immediately. The feature is being rolled out to users in phases, meaning it may take several days or longer to become available on some devices.
Guest Calling Could Challenge Zoom and Google Meet
The Guest Calling feature is being viewed as an expansion of WhatsApp’s calling services. Until now, people have often relied on platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams to include participants who do not have WhatsApp accounts in online meetings or group conversations.
The new feature could reduce the need for separate video-conferencing platforms in some personal and small-group interactions. Office meetings, family gatherings and online classes are among its potential uses.
In the future, possible integration with services such as Google Calendar and Outlook could make the feature even more convenient. Such integration could simplify the process of sharing call links alongside meeting invitations. However, the availability and expansion of these capabilities will depend on future updates from the company.
Through Guest Calling, WhatsApp aims to extend its calling services to people who have so far been unable to participate because they do not have an account. If the feature becomes widely available, it could make joining online conversations through WhatsApp easier and more accessible.
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