WhatsApp has introduced a guest-calling feature that allows people without an account on the messaging platform to join voice and video calls through an invitation link, opening up its calling service to a wider audience.
The feature, announced on 15 October 2026, allows invited guests to join calls through a computer browser without registering for WhatsApp. The company said calls remain free, end-to-end encrypted and free from time limits, although guests must be approved by the person hosting the call.
To create an invitation, a WhatsApp user opens the Calls tab, taps the plus icon and generates a call link to share with participants. Recipients can open the link, enter a name and wait for the host to admit them.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the host retains control over access throughout the call. Guests remain in a virtual waiting room until approved, and the host can remove them at any time. The feature supports both one-to-one conversations and group calls involving up to 32 participants.
Despite being able to join without an account, guests have limited privileges. They cannot initiate calls, send messages or directly add other participants, and they cannot view the phone numbers of people on the call. However, once admitted, they can share their screens, raise their hands to speak and react using thumbs-up or heart emojis.
The update could make it easier for businesses, families and other groups to connect with people who do not use WhatsApp, without requiring them to download the application or create an account before participating.
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The move also brings WhatsApp closer to services such as Apple’s FaceTime, which allows people to join calls through links without needing an Apple account.
WhatsApp plans to introduce calendar integration later this year. The proposed tools will allow users to connect their accounts through a WhatsApp plugin and add call links to invitations created in Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook. Invitees would then be able to join regardless of whether they have a WhatsApp account.
Until the calendar tools become available, hosts will need to copy and paste call links into invitations manually.
Guest calling forms part of a wider series of changes to WhatsApp’s calling services this year, including updates to web calling and account access on the iPad. However, the company has not specified when the new guest feature will become available to all users or confirmed its availability across individual countries.
The rollout is reportedly gradual, with access expected to depend on users having an updated version of the application.
