WhatsApp Now Lets People Join Calls Without Creating An Account

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WhatsApp is making its calling feature more accessible by allowing people without a WhatsApp account to join calls through an invitation link. The new feature means users can invite friends, colleagues, classmates or other contacts to a conversation without requiring everyone to install the app or register for an account.

According to a new announcement reported by 9to5Google, invited guests can open a call link in their computer's web browser, enter their name and join once the host admits them.

How Account-Free WhatsApp Calls Work

Creating a call link remains exclusive to WhatsApp account holders. To get started, users can open the Calls tab in WhatsApp, tap the + icon, create a call link and share it with the people they want to invite. Recipients who do not have a WhatsApp account can use the link to join through a supported web browser. The feature supports both one-to-one conversations and group calls with up to 32 participants.

This could be useful for work meetings, online classes, family conversations and other situations where some participants do not use WhatsApp.

End-To-End Encryption And Core Calling Features

WhatsApp says calls involving invited guests remain end-to-end encrypted. Participants also retain core calling features, including raising their hands and sharing their screens.

Calls remain free, with no time limits, according to the announcement.

Allowing guests to join without an account removes a potential barrier for people who only need to participate in a conversation occasionally. Instead of asking everyone to sign up first, the organiser can simply share a link. As with any invitation link, users should share it only with the intended participants and be careful about opening unexpected links.

Google Calendar And Outlook Integration Planned

WhatsApp is also preparing to integrate call links with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook through a WhatsApp plugin. This planned integration could make it easier to include WhatsApp calls in scheduled meetings, allowing participants to access the conversation from their calendar invitation. The announcement does not specify when this calendar integration will become available.

Making WhatsApp Calls More Flexible

With account-free guest access, WhatsApp is extending the reach of its calling service beyond people who already use the platform. The change offers a simpler way to bring different groups of people together, particularly when not everyone has the same messaging apps installed. For existing WhatsApp users, creating and sharing a call link remains the starting point, while invited guests can join through their browser without registering.

Source: 9to5Google; WhatsApp announcement