WhatsApp has introduced a guest calling feature that enables unregistered users to take part in a conversation. Instead of requiring everyone to download the app and create an account, the host can generate a link and share it with anyone they wish to invite. When the recipient clicks the link, they are connected directly to the ongoing voice or video call. This approach is meant to lower the barrier to entry, making it easier for friends, family or colleagues who do not use WhatsApp to hop into a conversation without any extra steps.
The guest call function is not limited to one‑on‑one chats. It works for both individual and group conversations, allowing a host to bring together as many as 32 participants in a single call.
Alongside the basic audio and video capabilities, the feature includes tools that enrich interaction. Participants can share their screen, which is useful for showing presentations, photos or any other content during the call. In addition, users can react with emojis in real time, providing a lightweight way to express agreement, amusement or other sentiments without interrupting the flow of conversation. These extras are available to everyone on the call, regardless of how they joined.
All audio, video, screen‑share data and emoji reactions are transmitted with end‑to‑end encryption.
Security remains a core part of WhatsApp’s design, and the guest call feature inherits the platform’s commitment to privacy. All audio, video, screen‑share data and emoji reactions are transmitted with end‑to‑end encryption. This means that only the people taking part in the call can access the content; not even WhatsApp itself can decrypt the conversation. The encryption applies uniformly to registered users and guests alike, ensuring that the added accessibility does not come at the expense of confidentiality.
Looking ahead, WhatsApp plans to extend the utility of guest calls by linking them with popular scheduling tools. By the end of the year, the company aims to integrate the feature with Google Calendar and Outlook.
The guest call capability was officially launched on 15 October 2026, and the rollout is expected to continue in the coming weeks as more users receive the necessary software update. To take advantage of the feature, participants need to be running the latest version of WhatsApp. With the ability to invite anyone via a link, support for up to 32 participants, added collaboration tools, strong encryption and future calendar integration, the update marks a notable step toward making WhatsApp calls more open and versatile while preserving the private nature of the conversations that users expect.