WhatsApp rolls out a guest calling feature letting people join a call even if they don't have an account; guests cannot start a call and have to be invited

You can now join a WhatsApp call without installing the app.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has introduced a "guest calling" feature allowing individuals without a WhatsApp account to join calls. This functionality enables non-users to participate in 1:1 or group calls via a web browser by accepting an invitation from the host. While guests can engage in core call features like screen sharing and reactions, they cannot initiate calls, view other participants' phone numbers, send messages, or add more members. The company also plans to integrate calendar features later this year, enabling WhatsApp calls to be created directly from Google or Outlook calendars. This move follows other recent updates aimed at enhancing WhatsApp's accessibility and business appeal, such as usernames for privacy and encrypted web calls.

The introduction of guest calling significantly lowers the barrier to entry for participating in WhatsApp conversations, potentially expanding its reach beyond its existing user base. By allowing access via a web browser, Meta is making its communication platform more inclusive, particularly for individuals who may not be regular smartphone users or prefer not to create new accounts for sporadic interactions. This strategy positions WhatsApp as a more versatile communication tool, capable of bridging gaps between users and non-users, and could influence how other communication platforms approach guest access.

This feature, coupled with the planned calendar integrations, suggests a strategic effort by WhatsApp to capture more professional and casual meeting scenarios, moving beyond its traditional social messaging role. The ability for guests to join from any browser, with full meeting functionalities, directly competes with established video conferencing solutions for ad-hoc or less formal collaborative sessions. This could encourage users to default to WhatsApp for a wider range of communication needs, potentially impacting market share for dedicated meeting platforms.