WhatsApp now lets anyone join calls, no account required

Popular meta-chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that allows users to invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the guest doesn’t have a WhatsApp account.

WhatsApp claims everyone has access to free end-to-end encrypted calls, with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at a time.

A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will appear in a waiting room until the host lets them in. Guests cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, send messages, or add others to the call, and hosts can remove them from the call at any time. Guests have access to screen sharing to review documents, thumbs-up reactions and heart emojis, and a raised hand to ask a question.

WhatsApp users can start a guest call via the Calls tab. Tap “+” to create a calling link, then send the link to anyone. WhatsApp calls can be joined in a computer browser with a WhatsApp call link.

WhatsApp says it plans to roll out calendar integrations later this year to create a WhatsApp call from a Google or Outlook calendar.

With the ability to join a call from a browser, WhatsApp matches a feature that Apple began offering for FaceTime with iOS 15. Anyone can join a ‌FaceTime‌ call with a ‌FaceTime‌ link.