WhatsApp Adds Guest Calls for People Without Accounts

WhatsApp is adding guest calling, letting people join a call without a WhatsApp account or the app. The feature lets an account holder invite guests by sharing a call link.

Guests can use hand raising, screen sharing and emoji reactions. Calls remain end-to-end encrypted. A host must approve each guest, who waits in a waiting room until admitted. Hosts can remove guests at any time. Guests cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, send messages or directly add anyone else to the call.

Starting a call still requires a WhatsApp account. Meta also says it is launching Google and Outlook calendar integrations for WhatsApp calls later this year. After installing a WhatsApp plugin and connecting an account, users will be able to include a WhatsApp call link with calendar invites.

Meta added support for calls on WhatsApp’s web version earlier this year, so guests do not need the app to join.