WhatsApp Expands Call Links to Include Guest Participants via Web Access

WhatsApp is piloting a new feature that would allow individuals without a WhatsApp account to join encrypted voice or video calls through a simple web link, extending the app's existing Call Links functionality.

The proposed "guest call" option would generate a shareable URL that recipients could open in any modern browser, bypassing the need to install the messaging app or create an account. Once the link is accessed, the guest would be connected to the ongoing conversation using end‑to‑end encryption, preserving the privacy standards that WhatsApp markets as a core benefit.

WhatsApp introduced Call Links in early 2023 to let users start a call and invite others via a link, but participation was limited to other WhatsApp users. By opening the service to non‑users, the company aims to make group calls more inclusive for business meetings, family gatherings, and other scenarios where not everyone maintains a WhatsApp profile.

Industry analysts note that the move aligns with broader trends among messaging platforms to blur the lines between app‑based and web‑based communications. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has been experimenting with cross‑platform interoperability across its suite of products, and the guest‑call test could provide data on user adoption, security performance, and potential revenue implications.

Meta has not disclosed a rollout timeline, but the feature is reportedly being tested with a limited set of users. If the trials prove successful, WhatsApp could roll the capability out globally later this year, potentially adding settings for host controls such as muting or removing guests. The development underscores WhatsApp’s ongoing effort to stay competitive in a crowded market where rivals like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet already support guest access without requiring an account.