WhatsApp now lets people without an account join a call.
WhatsApp users can now invite anyone to a call by link, including people with no WhatsApp account, who join from a computer browser.
Meta announced on 14 October 2026 that WhatsApp users can now invite anyone to a WhatsApp call, including people who do not have a WhatsApp account.
Meta says the calls are free, end-to-end encrypted and have no time limits.
To start one, a user opens the Calls tab, selects the “+” icon, creates a call link and sends it. Guests open the link in their computer browser, type in their name and join once the host admits them. Calls can be one to one or group calls with up to 32 people. Only people with a WhatsApp account can create a call link.
What guests can and cannot do
Anyone joining as a guest needs the host’s approval. Guests wait in a waiting room until the host lets them in, and the host can remove them at any time. Guests cannot see other participants’ phone numbers, send messages or add anyone else directly to the call. They can share their computer screen, react with a thumbs up or heart emoji and raise their hand.
Calendar integrations later this year
Meta says it will roll out calendar integrations later this year so a WhatsApp call can be created from a Google or Outlook calendar. The user installs the WhatsApp plugin, connects their account and adds a WhatsApp call link to the invite, and everyone invited can join with or without a WhatsApp account. Meta has not given a date beyond later this year. It describes guest calling and the calendar integrations as the latest in a series of calling updates it has made this year.
What it means for brands
A team that already talks to customers, creators or agency partners on WhatsApp no longer has to check whether the other person has the app before setting up a call. A link opened in a computer browser is enough, and the host decides who comes in and can remove anyone. Guests cannot see participants’ phone numbers, which matters when a call mixes staff with outside contacts. This week, create a test call link from the Calls tab, join it from a browser as a guest, and check the waiting room and screen sharing before using it for a client or creator call.
Sources
The NBK Social briefing
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