WhatsApp Guest Calling: How to Invite Anyone to a Call, Even Without WhatsApp
WhatsApp guest calling lets anyone join a free, end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp call from a computer browser, with no account needed. Here is how to create a link, admit guests and stay safe.
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WhatsApp guest calling lets you invite anyone to a WhatsApp voice or video call, even someone who doesn’t have a WhatsApp account. You create a call link in the Calls tab and share it. The guest opens it in a computer browser, types their name and joins once you let them in. Calls are free, end-to-end encrypted, have no time limit and can include up to 32 people.
Quick summary
- Announced by WhatsApp and Meta on 14 October 2026.
- Only the host needs a WhatsApp account. Guests join from a computer browser with just a name.
- Guests wait in a waiting room until the host admits them, and the host can remove them at any time.
- Guests can’t see phone numbers, send chat messages or add other people.
- Up to 32 people, no time limit, end-to-end encrypted, with screen sharing, reactions and raise hand.
- Google Calendar and Outlook integration is promised “later this year”.
How WhatsApp guest calling works
Until now, everyone on a WhatsApp call needed their own WhatsApp account. Guest calling changes that for the people you invite. The host still needs WhatsApp, but a client, a relative abroad or a colleague who only uses email can now join from a laptop without signing up or sharing a phone number.
| What | Host (WhatsApp user) | Guest (no account) |
|---|---|---|
| Create a call link | Yes | No |
| Join the call | WhatsApp app | Computer browser, after the host admits them |
| See participants’ phone numbers | As in any WhatsApp call | No |
| Send chat messages | Yes | No |
| Add other people | Yes | No |
| Share screen, react, raise hand | Yes | Yes |
| Remove someone from the call | Yes | No |
How to start a WhatsApp guest calling session
- Update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store so you have the latest calling features.
- Open the Calls tab and tap the + icon.
- Create a call link and choose voice or video.
- Share the link by email, SMS or any other app with the people you want to invite.
- Admit guests: each guest opens the link in a computer browser, enters their name and waits. You’ll see them in the waiting room. Admit only the names you expect.
Once admitted, guests can share their screen, react with a thumbs-up or heart and raise their hand. As host, you can remove anyone at any time.
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Limits and privacy at a glance
| Item | Guest calling |
|---|---|
| Maximum participants | Up to 32 (once admitted) |
| Time limit | None |
| Cost | Free |
| Encryption | End-to-end encrypted |
| Who can create links | WhatsApp users only |
| Calendar integration | Google Calendar and Outlook, “later this year” |
Practical uses in India
- Small businesses: take a quick video call with a client who prefers email, without asking for their number. Our digital marketing best practices guide covers using WhatsApp the right way with customers.
- Tuition and coaching: run a class for students who don’t use WhatsApp on their laptops.
- Family abroad: bring in relatives who only use another messaging app.
- Interviews and support: screen-share with a candidate or customer without exchanging phone numbers.
Safety tips for guest calls
Anyone with the link can ask to join, so treat call links like a meeting password. Share them only with the people you mean to invite. Check every name in the waiting room before admitting it, and remove anyone you don’t recognise. Never share OTPs, UPI PINs or bank details on any call, however official the caller sounds. WhatsApp also recently added new group features: see our guide to WhatsApp Group Status and pinned messages. If you use a Samsung phone, the new One UI 9 update adds Scam Detection for India.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone join a WhatsApp call without WhatsApp?
Yes. With guest calling, a WhatsApp user creates a call link, and the guest joins from a computer browser by entering their name. The host must admit them.
Is there a time limit on WhatsApp guest calls?
No. WhatsApp says guest calls are free and have no time limit, so there are no forced cut-offs.
How many people can join a WhatsApp guest call?
Up to 32 people, including guests, once the host admits them.
Can guests see my phone number?
No. WhatsApp says guests can’t see other participants’ phone numbers. They also can’t send messages or add anyone to the call.
The bottom line
WhatsApp guest calling turns WhatsApp into a simple, free meeting tool: one link, no sign-up for guests, no time limit and end-to-end encryption. Keep links private, check the waiting room, and it’s one of the easiest ways to video-call people who aren’t on WhatsApp.
Sources
- WhatsApp Blog: Now you can invite anyone to a WhatsApp call
- Meta Newsroom: Introducing WhatsApp guest calling
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