You Can Now Join a WhatsApp Call Without an Account
Meta has introduced a guest calling feature on WhatsApp, allowing non-users to join calls via desktop browser links.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Meta announces a new WhatsApp feature for non-account holders to join calls.
- Users can generate call links to share with people who do not use the app.
- Guest participants require host approval to join and have limited features.
- Supports both one-on-one calls and group calls of up to 32 people.
The perpetual challenge with any chat application is convincing friends and family to adopt it. While WhatsApp stands as a globally dominant messaging platform, it lacks universal penetration in the United States, leaving plenty of individuals who refuse to install or use it altogether.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, announced a significant shift on Wednesday by introducing "guest calling." This update enables any active WhatsApp user to invite non-users into an ongoing call, maintaining standard core perks such as being entirely free and end-to-end encrypted to safeguard privacy.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Despite the accessibility, non-WhatsApp participants face several strict limitations. Meta notes that these guests require admission approval from the call host, placing them in a virtual waiting room until they are manually let into the conversation. Furthermore, hosts retain the ability to remove guests at any moment.
Guests cannot view other participants' phone numbers, send text messages, or invite additional users to the call, restricting their role strictly to a participant. This capability functions seamlessly for both one-on-one conversations and larger group calls hosting up to 32 people.
Allowing browser-based access for non-users mirrors strategies previously deployed by competitors like Apple's FaceTime, effectively lowering onboarding barriers and bridging gaps across fragmented messaging ecosystems. This move positions WhatsApp to capture casual interactions where installing a dedicated app would otherwise create friction.
To invite a non-user, navigate to the Calls tab inside the WhatsApp application, tap the plus (+) icon, generate a call link, and distribute it. Recipients can open the link in their computer browser, input their name, and join. While restricted from messaging, guests retain interactive capabilities including screen sharing, emoji reactions, and the hand-raise feature.
Source: Lifehacker
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