Image: Gannu03 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
In short: Since 14 October 2026, WhatsApp lets you call people who don't have a WhatsApp account. You send them a call link, they open it in a computer browser and join once you approve them. Calls support up to 32 people and are free, without time limits and end-to-end encrypted. Also new in October: @all mentions, anonymous polls, music in Status, PDFs inside the app and new parent and teen settings.
How guest calls work
Open the Calls tab, tap +, create a call link and send it. Guests open it in their computer browser, enter their name and wait in a waiting room until you let them in. Only people with a WhatsApp account can create links.
| Guests can | Guests can't |
|---|---|
| join 1:1 and group calls | see phone numbers |
| share their screen | send messages |
| react and raise a hand | add other people |
You can remove guests at any time. Later this year, Meta plans Google Calendar and Outlook plugins so you can add WhatsApp call links to invites.
Tips for guests and hosts
Guests join on a computer in an up-to-date browser, enter a name (no phone number needed) and allow camera and microphone access before waiting to be admitted. Hosts should create the link ahead of time and send it early, so everyone can test their setup, and announce who is coming, so they know whom to admit from the waiting room. Services like Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams have offered link-based joining for a while; the difference is that WhatsApp users no longer need an extra app, and calls stay encrypted.
More October features
According to BuzzFeed News Germany, citing NDR and the WhatsApp blog: @all notifies every group member, even if they muted the chat (anyone in groups under 32 members, admins only in larger groups). Create similar group copies members from an existing group. Polls can hide voter names and have an end time. You can add Spotify and Apple Music songs to your Status, view PDFs in the app, and parents can set privacy options together with teens without reading their messages. Many features roll out gradually, so update the app.
Privacy tips
Only share links with people you know, check the waiting room before admitting anyone and close private windows before sharing your screen. See also our Android 17 overview and our AI tools guide. More in the apps section.
Sources
