WhatsApp is rolling out guest calls: if you have an account, you can create a link, and someone without WhatsApp can join your voice or video call from a browser, with no app download and no sign-up. According to WABetaInfo, calls are free, have no time limit and support up to 32 participants. The rollout is gradual, so you may not see it yet.
How do WhatsApp guest calls work?
The host needs the latest version of WhatsApp on Android or iPhone. Open the Calls tab, tap the “+” icon and create a call link, which you can share with anyone.
The guest opens the link in a browser, enters a name and waits in a waiting room. You, as the host, approve each person before they get in. You can also remove guests or end the call for everyone at any time. Calls can be one-on-one or group calls.
What can guests do, and what can’t they?
Guests get limited access. They can:
- share their screen;
- send emoji reactions;
- raise a hand to ask to speak.
They cannot:
- see other participants’ phone numbers;
- send chat messages during the call;
- add other people to the call.
That design protects the people already in the conversation. If you invite a repair technician or a tutor, they join without learning your number or anyone else’s.
Are guest calls encrypted?
Yes, according to WABetaInfo. Calls keep end-to-end encryption, and the guest’s web client generates a unique identifier used to encrypt the call. Control sits with the host: the waiting room exists so you can keep out anyone who received the link by mistake or through a forward.
Treat the link like a personal invitation. Do not post it in big group chats or on social media, and check each name before you approve it. If you see a name you do not recognize, leave it in the waiting room.
How does it compare to Zoom or Google Meet?
The idea is similar to meeting apps that already accept guests by link, but WhatsApp starts with a big advantage: many people already have it on their phones, and the host only needs to create the link inside the app. For a quick chat with a relative, a client or a contractor who does not use WhatsApp, that saves the step of installing something else.
There is a clear limit, though. Guests cannot text during the call. For work meetings with chat, shared documents and scheduling, dedicated meeting apps still offer more. Test guest calls before relying on them for anything important.
When will it reach everyone?
The rollout is gradual and WhatsApp has not announced a date for full availability. The company tested the feature in September 2026, and it uses the same technology as guest chats. WhatsApp has not said which countries get it first.
If the option is missing, update WhatsApp from Google Play or the App Store and check again in a few days. Staying current matters for another reason too: as we covered in WhatsApp now blocks logins on phones with outdated software, older versions can lose access. And if you use the app for sensitive conversations, it is smart to protect your chat history too, as we explain in our WhatsApp backup guide.
What is coming next?
WhatsApp is also building Google Calendar and Outlook integrations, which will let you attach a WhatsApp call link to a calendar invite. WABetaInfo says they are due later this year. If that lands, the app becomes useful for scheduled meetings, not just on-the-spot calls.
