Key takeaways
- Guests without a WhatsApp account can join voice and video calls from a link in a computer browser after the host admits them.
- Calls support up to 32 participants, have no time limit and stay end-to-end encrypted, according to Meta.
- Guests cannot see phone numbers, send messages, add people or start their own calls.
WhatsApp guest calls are now rolling out, and they fix one of the oldest annoyances of the app: everyone on the call used to need a WhatsApp account. Meta announced the change in a WhatsApp blog post this week, and it means you can now send a link to a coworker, a client or a relative who has never installed the app, and they can join your voice or video call from a computer browser. Here is what changed, how it works, what guests can and cannot do, and the privacy details worth knowing before you start sharing links.
What happened
According to TechRepublic and gHacks, WhatsApp began rolling out guest calling this week after Meta announced it in a blog post on Wednesday. The feature builds on call links, which WhatsApp users could already create inside the app. The difference is who can use them. Until now, every person on a WhatsApp call had to have an account tied to a phone number. With the update, a person without an account can open a call link on a computer, type a name and ask to join.
The host stays in charge. A guest does not drop straight into the conversation. They land in a waiting room, and the WhatsApp user who created the link has to admit them. The host can also remove a guest at any point during the call.
WhatsApp says the calls are free, have no time limit and work for both one-on-one calls and group calls of up to 32 participants. Meta also says guest calls remain end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp itself cannot listen to the audio or see the video. That is Meta's claim, and outside reports so far repeat it rather than test it independently.
How WhatsApp guest calls work
The setup takes less than a minute if your app is up to date. Only a registered WhatsApp user can create the invitation. Guests can join, but they cannot start a call of their own.
Steps for the host
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls tab.
- Tap the plus (+) button.
- Choose the option to create a call link.
- Pick voice or video.
- Share the link by text, email, chat or wherever the other person will see it.
When the guest clicks the link, they will be asked for a name and then wait for you to let them in. You approve them from inside the call.
If you do not see the call link option, gHacks recommends updating WhatsApp to the latest version first. Rollouts like this often reach accounts in waves, so it may take a few days to show up for everyone.
Steps for the guest
- Open the link on a computer web browser.
- Enter the name you want the host to see.
- Request to join and wait in the waiting room.
- Once admitted, talk, turn on video or share your screen.
The reports describe guests joining from a computer browser. Neither TechRepublic nor gHacks says whether mobile browsers are supported, so for now a laptop or desktop is the safe bet for anyone without the app.
What guests can and cannot do
Meta has drawn a clear line between full users and guests. That line is mostly about privacy and keeping strangers from taking over a call.
Guests can:
- Join voice and video calls
- Share their screen
- Send emoji reactions
- Raise a hand to get attention
Guests cannot:
- See other participants' phone numbers
- Send chat messages during the call
- Add other people to the call
- Create a new call
The phone number rule matters more than it might seem. On a normal WhatsApp group call, everyone is identified by a phone number. Keeping those numbers hidden from guests means you can invite an outside contractor or a new client without handing them every participant's personal number.
Why it matters
WhatsApp has more than 3 billion users, according to TechRepublic, but plenty of people in the US still do not use it. That has long made WhatsApp an awkward choice for mixed groups. If one person in a family, a volunteer group or a small business did not have an account, the whole group usually moved to a different app.
Guest calling removes that friction. It also puts WhatsApp closer to tools people already use for quick meetings. gHacks points out that Apple's FaceTime has offered something similar for a while, letting iPhone users create links that people on Android, Windows or Linux can join from a browser.
WhatsApp is not trying to replace dedicated meeting software yet. The 32 person cap is small next to what Zoom or Google Meet handle for large meetings, and those platforms offer far more scheduling and admin controls. Meta says it plans calendar integrations with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, which would make it easier to start a WhatsApp call from a meeting invite. No date was given for those plugins.
Who is affected
If you already use WhatsApp, nothing changes unless you create a call link. Your existing chats and calls work the same way.
The people who gain the most are:
- Mixed groups. Families or friend groups where one or two people refuse to install another messaging app.
- Freelancers and small businesses. Anyone who wants a quick encrypted video call with a client without asking them to sign up for something.
- Remote teams. Groups that span companies and do not share a single meeting tool.
Privacy and safety tips before you share a link
Host approval is the main safeguard, and it only works if you pay attention. Anyone who gets hold of your link can reach the waiting room. Links can be forwarded, posted in group chats or screenshotted. A few habits will keep your calls under control.
- Check names before admitting anyone. gHacks specifically recommends this, especially when a link may have been shared beyond the people you sent it to.
- Do not post call links publicly. Treat them like a meeting password. Send them directly to the people you expect.
- Remove anyone you do not recognize. You can kick a guest out at any time, so do it quickly if something feels off.
- Watch for impersonation. A guest types their own name, which means anyone can claim to be anyone. If the stakes are high, confirm the person on video before discussing anything sensitive. Our guide on how to spot fake social media accounts and impersonation scams covers the warning signs.
- Review your WhatsApp privacy settings. This is a good moment to run through the social media privacy checkup for the apps you use most.
It also helps to lock down the account that hosts these calls. Turning on two step verification in WhatsApp and using a strong, unique password elsewhere takes only a few minutes. Our walkthrough on how to protect your online accounts in 10 minutes explains where to start.
What to watch next
A few open questions will shape how useful this feature becomes.
First, mobile browser support. If guests can only join from a computer, that limits casual use, since many people would rather tap a link on their phone. Watch for Meta to clarify or expand this.
Second, the calendar plugins. Google Calendar and Outlook integration would put WhatsApp in front of office workers who schedule most of their calls through those apps. That is a direct move into territory owned by Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.
Third, the size cap. At 32 participants, guest calling suits small meetings and family calls. If Meta raises that limit, it would signal a bigger push into work meetings.
Meta has been busy reshaping its apps this fall, from ad policy fights like its decision to ban TikTok ads on Facebook and Instagram to features like this one that pull outsiders into its ecosystem. Expect more changes to WhatsApp calling as Meta tries to turn its huge user base into a daily work tool. You can follow the latest platform news on our tech page.
Frequently asked questions
Do guests need to download WhatsApp to join a call?
No. Guests open the call link in a computer web browser, type a name and wait for the host to admit them. They do not need an account or the app.
Are WhatsApp guest calls encrypted?
Meta says guest calls are end-to-end encrypted, the same as regular WhatsApp calls, so WhatsApp cannot access the audio or video.
How many people can join a WhatsApp guest call?
WhatsApp says guest calling works for one-on-one calls and group calls of up to 32 participants. There is no time limit and no fee.
Can a guest see my phone number?
No. Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers. They also cannot send messages, add people or start a new call.
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