WhatsApp Introduces Guest Calling for Non-Users

By Adedapo Adesanya

WhatsApp has introduced a guest calling feature that allows people without accounts on the platform to join audio and video calls through shared links, without creating an account or installing the app.

The feature supports one-to-one and group calls with up to 32 participants, with conversations remaining free and end-to-end encrypted, the company said in a blog post.

To create a guest call, WhatsApp users must open the Calls tab, tap the ‘+’ icon, generate a call link and share it with invitees.

Guests can open the link in a computer browser, enter their names and request to join.

However, they must wait for the host’s approval before entering the call.

Hosts can also remove participants at any time.

Guests without accounts cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, send messages or invite additional people directly.

They can, however, share their screens, react with emojis and raise their hands to indicate they want to speak.

WhatsApp also plans to integrate its calling service with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook later this year, allowing users to create calls directly from their calendars and include links in meeting invitations.

The integrations will require users to install the WhatsApp plugin and connect their accounts, while invited participants will be able to join calls regardless of whether they have WhatsApp accounts.

The guest calling feature forms part of WhatsApp’s broader effort to expand its calling service beyond existing users, potentially making it more useful for businesses, online classes and meetings involving people who use different communication platforms.

It has previously introduced some features, including usernames, which would prevent people from sharing their contact phone numbers and also make it easier to tighten privacy rules.

However, only registered WhatsApp users can create and share call links, meaning guests will still depend on account holders to initiate calls.