WhatsApp Adds a Call Links Feature
- Laurent Giret
- Sep 27, 2022
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WhatsApp is adding the ability to create call links to invite anyone to a group call. The new Call Links feature will start rolling out to all users this week, and it should make it easier to plan group calls with WhatsApp users outside of your contacts.
The ability to invite other people to a group call with a link is something that Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video calling apps have had for a while. WhatsApp is still a mobile-first communication app, but the company is finally getting serious about group calls and desktop users.
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Planning a call with long-distance friends? Need to chat live last minute?
Now you can create and send a call link to anyone on WhatsApp, even if they’re not in your contacts 🔗
Add the link to an invite or send in a chat, now planning and joining calls is easier than ever.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) September 26, 2022
Back in June, WhatsApp added the ability to mute or message specific people on a group call. The app also added new banners indicating when someone joins a large group call.
In a separate message posted on Facebook yesterday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that WhatsApp has also started testing encrypted video calling for up to 32 participants. Currently, only 8 participants can be active on a WhatsApp group video call.
For a while, using WhatsApp on multiple devices has not been a seamless experience, but that finally changed this year with the introduction of multi-device support. You can now use the app on up to four linked devices at the same time, and the new WhatsApp app for Windows no longer needs to be connected to your phone at all times.