WhatsApp is testing a new Events hub that will allow users to create, manage and monitor their planned events from one place, rather than searching through individual chats for event details.
The feature has appeared in a beta version of WhatsApp for Android, version 2.26.36.5, distributed through Google Play. It adds an Events option to the app’s settings menu, giving users a central view of events they have created or been invited to attend.
Brandspur Brand News reports that users testing the feature can select “Create event” and provide details including the event name, description, start and end times and location. The setup also supports WhatsApp call links, cover photographs and an option allowing guests to bring additional people.
A reminder is automatically scheduled for one hour before an event, although users can change the timing. The event organiser’s name is also populated from the account by default.
One of the more notable aspects of the update is that people invited to an event do not necessarily need a WhatsApp account to respond. A shareable invitation link allows non users to confirm attendance by providing their name and verifying a phone number.
Before accepting an invitation, non users can see the event’s name, date and time. Information such as the full location and call link becomes available after they confirm their attendance.
The event organiser can view guests’ names, responses and phone numbers while managing the attendance list. Confirmed guests can see the names and responses of other attendees, but phone numbers remain hidden unless a guest already has the contact saved.
WhatsApp’s existing end to end encryption for personal chats and calls is not affected by event activity, according to the information accompanying the test.
The Events hub builds on an earlier WhatsApp update that allowed users to create events in one to one conversations, after the functionality had initially been available only in group chats and communities. Under that arrangement, users had to return to individual conversations to access event information.
The new centralised hub is intended to make that process easier by bringing upcoming plans into a single location, particularly for users managing several events across different conversations.
The feature remains limited to a small group of Android beta testers and is expected to expand gradually. WhatsApp has not announced when the Events hub will become available to all users.
