Industry Odisha Bureau, October 15: WhatsApp has introduced a new guest calling feature that allows people to join voice calls without creating an account or installing the app. The feature is rolling out gradually and is designed to make calls easier for people who do not use the messaging platform.
According to WhatsApp, guest calls are free, end-to-end encrypted and have no time limits. They support individual and group conversations with up to 32 participants. This makes it suitable for work meetings, online classes and group discussions.
To start a guest call, WhatsApp users need to open the Calls tab, tap on the ‘+’ icon, create a call link and share it with invitees. Recipients can open the link in a computer browser, enter their name and request to join without having to sign up.
However, the guests must wait for the host’s approval before entering the conversation. The host can also remove participants during a call. Available features include screen sharing, emoji reactions and even the option to raise a hand.
Moreover, guests will not be able to view other participants’ phone numbers, send messages or invite additional people directly. Only existing WhatsApp users can create guest call links. Availability may vary as the feature reaches more users.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also preparing calendar integrations with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. Planned for later this year, the integrations will allow users to add WhatsApp call links to calendar invitations through a plugin. Invitees will be able to join calls with or without a WhatsApp account.
