WhatsApp Guest Calling now lets people join voice and video calls without creating a WhatsApp account, making it easier to connect with friends, family members and colleagues who do not use the messaging app.
Announced on October 14, 2026, the feature allows account holders to invite guests through a call link, with calls remaining free and end-to-end encrypted.
The new feature removes one of the barriers to joining WhatsApp calls: guests no longer need to sign up for an account to participate.
However, only existing WhatsApp users can create call links, and invited guests must receive approval from the host before entering a conversation.
WhatsApp Guest Calling: How the New Feature Works
The guest calling feature is designed to make WhatsApp calls more accessible to people who use different apps or do not have WhatsApp installed.
A person with an account can create an invitation link and share it with anyone they want to include in a one-to-one or group voice or video call.
Guests can open the invitation link in a computer browser, enter their name and wait for the host to approve their request. Once admitted, they can participate without downloading WhatsApp or registering for an account.
WhatsApp says calls through the feature are free, end-to-end encrypted and have no time limit.
Group calls can accommodate up to 32 participants, allowing the feature to support both personal conversations and online meetings.
How to Start a WhatsApp Guest Call
Creating a guest call is straightforward for anyone who already has a WhatsApp account. The host can generate a call link and send it to the intended participants using the following steps.
Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls tab. Tap the plus (+) icon and select the option to create a call link. Share the generated link with the people you want to invite.
Guests should open the link in a computer browser, enter their name and wait in the virtual waiting room. The host must approve their entry before they can join the call.
The host can also remove a guest at any time if necessary.
Privacy Features and Limitations for Guests
WhatsApp has included restrictions to give hosts greater control over who joins a conversation. Guests cannot see the phone numbers of other participants, send messages through the call or directly add more people to it.
Once admitted, guests can use several in-call features, including computer screen sharing, thumbs-up and heart reactions, and a raise-hand option.
These tools can be useful for presentations, collaborative discussions and remote meetings.
The requirement for host approval is particularly important because anyone who receives a call link may attempt to join.
Hosts should verify guest requests before admitting participants and share invitation links only with the intended people.
One key limitation is that guests must join through a computer browser.
They do not need a WhatsApp account, but the feature does not currently offer the same guest-joining process through mobile browsers. Availability may also vary as the feature rolls out to users.
WhatsApp Plans More Calling Improvements
The guest calling launch follows other improvements to WhatsApp’s calling experience, including browser-based calling and tools designed to make online conversations more convenient.
WhatsApp has also announced plans to introduce calendar integrations later in 2026.
These integrations are expected to let users create WhatsApp call links from Google Calendar or Outlook invitations, making it easier to organise meetings with people who may not have WhatsApp accounts.
For users, WhatsApp Guest Calling could make joining a quick meeting or family video call easier without requiring everyone to install the same application.
The feature combines browser-based access with encryption and host-controlled entry, although users should still be careful about sharing invitation links.
