WhatsApp is developing guest voice and video calls so people without an account can join conversations. Non-users open a shared link in a desktop browser and enter the call. They don’t need to download the app, create a profile, or verify a phone number.
This builds on the guest chat feature WhatsApp began rolling out earlier. That tool already let users text non-users through a link. The company now appears to be applying the same idea to calls on WhatsApp Web.
How Guest Calling Works
A WhatsApp user generates a call link and shares it through any channel. The recipient opens the link in a desktop browser and joins the voice or video conversation right away. No account setup is required on their end.
The feature targets WhatsApp Web. Recipients stay in the browser for the entire session.
Privacy and Encryption for Guests
WhatsApp plans to use temporary session identifiers created by the browser. These identifiers help build the encryption keys. Guest calls keep full end-to-end encryption. The platform does not collect permanent user credentials from participants who join this way.
Host Controls and Safeguards
Removing the account requirement speeds up communication, but it raises security questions about uninvited participants. WhatsApp addresses this by giving the host full control.
Guests cannot join an active call simply because they have the link. The host must approve every guest entry manually. Hosts can also remove any guest during the session or end the call completely at any time.
Current Status
The guest calling feature is still in development. It is not available in the beta release yet. WhatsApp has not announced an official rollout timeline. Public testing is expected in the coming months once development finishes.