WhatsApp has introduced a new guest-calling feature that allows people to join voice and video calls without creating a WhatsApp account. Announced on October 14, 2026, the update aims to make online communication easier for people who do not use the popular messaging application.
The new feature allows registered WhatsApp users to create a call link and share it with friends, colleagues, classmates or family members. Recipients can open the link through a computer browser, enter their name and request to join without installing the application or registering an account.
According to WhatsApp, guest calls are free, protected by end-to-end encryption and have no time limits. Both individual and group calls are supported, with up to 32 participants able to join a call.
To start a guest call, users need to open WhatsApp, navigate to the Calls tab and tap the plus (+) icon to create a call link. They can then share the invitation with anyone they want to include in the conversation.
However, only people with WhatsApp accounts can create call links. Guests must wait for the host’s approval before entering the call, and the host can remove them whenever necessary.
Guest participants can also use selected features, including screen sharing, emoji reactions and the hand-raising option. However, they cannot send messages, view other participants’ phone numbers or directly add new people to the call.
WhatsApp also plans to introduce Google Calendar and Outlook integrations later in 2026, allowing users to create call invitations directly through their calendars.
The update expands WhatsApp’s calling capabilities and strengthens its position in the online communication market, where services such as Zoom and Google Meet already offer browser-based meeting options.
