WhatsApp now lets you invite people who do not have the app or an account to a call. The feature, called guest calls, works with a link: the guest opens it in a computer browser, types their name and waits for the organizer to let them in. Calls are free, end-to-end encrypted and have no time limit, according to Marketing4eCommerce and Social Media Today.
How to make a guest call on WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls tab.
- Tap + and choose create call link.
- Send the link to anyone you want to invite, whether or not they use WhatsApp, by email, SMS or another app.
- The guest opens the link in a computer browser, types their name and waits in a waiting room.
- You accept them and they join the call.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can host | Any WhatsApp user |
| Who can join | Anyone with the link, even without an account |
| Where guests join | From a computer browser |
| Participants | Up to 32 in group calls |
| Duration | No time limit |
| Cost | Free |
| Privacy | End-to-end encryption and approval of each guest |
What a guest can and cannot do
| A guest can | A guest cannot |
|---|---|
| Talk and use video | See other participants' phone numbers |
| Share their computer screen | Send chat messages |
| React with a thumbs-up or heart | Add other people to the call |
| Raise their hand | Join without the organizer's approval |
The restrictions are designed to protect privacy: guests do not get anyone's number, and the organizer controls who joins.
Why it matters: WhatsApp takes on Zoom and Meet
Until now, calling someone who does not use WhatsApp meant turning to Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. With guest links, WhatsApp moves directly into that space, especially for work meetings with clients or suppliers who do not have the app. According to Marketing4eCommerce, WhatsApp also plans to let users create calls from Google Calendar and Outlook before the end of the year, with a plug-in that adds the link to the invitation.
Guest chats, the other new feature
Alongside calls, WhatsApp is enabling chat links for people without an account, according to Social Media Today. The logic is the same: guests join from a link without downloading the app. It is part of Meta's strategy to make WhatsApp the front door for communicating with businesses, in line with other social commerce trends such as live shopping on TikTok Shop.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make a WhatsApp call to someone who does not have WhatsApp?
Yes. With guest calls, the person joins from a link in a computer browser, without an account.
How many people can join a guest call?
Up to 32 participants in a group call.
Do guest calls have a time limit?
No. They are free and have no time limit.
Can the guest see my number?
No. Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers.
