WhatsApp Adds Guest Calling for People Without Accounts

WhatsApp has introduced guest calling, allowing people without an account to join voice and video calls through a link in a computer browser, the company announced October 14. A WhatsApp account holder must create the link and admit guests before they can enter the call. To set up a guest call, a host creates a link from WhatsApp’s Calls tab and shares it with invitees. Guests open the link in a computer browser, enter a name and wait for approval. WhatsApp says the feature supports one-to-one calls and group calls with up to 32 participants. According to Meta, guest calls are free, end-to-end encrypted and have no time limits. Guests can share their computer screen, react with thumbs-up or heart emojis, and raise a hand during a call. Hosts can remove guests, while guests cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, message them or add people to the call. Only people with WhatsApp accounts can create call links, so guests can join but cannot start calls through the feature. One account of the rollout says mobile browsers are not supported at launch; the company’s other descriptions specify browser joining on computers without addressing mobile access.