Guests Without Accounts Can Now Join WhatsApp Calls

ICTNews reported that on October 13, 2026 (21 Mehr 1405), WhatsApp enabled users to join encrypted voice and video calls without creating an account, using only a web browser. Guest users can take part in end-to-end encrypted calls with up to 32 participants by receiving a simple link. Joining […] The article "Guests Without Accounts Can Now Join WhatsApp Calls" first appeared on ICT News.

ICTNews Report - On October 13, 2026 (21 Mehr 1405), WhatsApp made it possible to join encrypted voice and video calls without the need to create a user account and only through the browser. By receiving a simple link, guest users can participate in end-to-end encrypted conversations with a capacity of up to 32 people.

Guest join via browser

By receiving a simple link, guest users can participate in encrypted audio and video conversations through a computer browser. At the time of launch, mobile browsers are not supported and guests must open the link in a desktop browser. Group calls can accommodate up to 32 participants, including guests.

Before entering the conversation, the guests are placed in the waiting room for the host to confirm their identity. The host can remove guests from the call at any time. The waiting room can accommodate up to 128 people.

When creating a call link, the host can enable or disable the "require confirmation to join" option. If this option is disabled, guests will log in without requiring host approval.

Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers, send text messages, or add other people directly to a call. However, they still have access to basic calling features, including screen sharing, emoji reactions like likes and hearts, and a virtual hand raise.

Only people who have a WhatsApp account can create a contact link. For this, they should go to the Calls tab, click on the "+" icon, select the option to create a call link and share it with their audience.

WhatsApp has announced that later this year, it will offer integration with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook so that users can create a WhatsApp contact link directly from their calendar.

Guest calls are free, unlimited, and end-to-end encrypted. Contact links expire after 30 days of non-use. WhatsApp can also invalidate links for security reasons.

Introducing the ability for guests to join WhatsApp calls is an important strategic change in the approach of this messenger. Until now, WhatsApp considered it necessary to have a user account to use any of its features. But now, by removing this requirement for group calls, it's competing directly with platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, which have allowed guests to join without an account for years.

The smart thing about designing this feature is to maintain a balance between accessibility and security. WhatsApp keeps the host in control of the call by placing guests in a waiting room, hiding the phone numbers of other participants, and blocking the ability to send text messages. This approach is especially attractive for businesses and organizations that want to hold meetings with people outside the organization.

However, being limited to the desktop browser at launch limits the accessibility of mobile users. If WhatsApp can add mobile browser support, this feature could become a serious option for group calls in different parts of the world, especially where WhatsApp is the most popular messenger.

All in all, this feature shows WhatsApp's determination to transform from just a messenger to a complete communication platform. If this trend continues, we may see the gradual elimination of the need for a user account for other WhatsApp features.