WhatsApp Guest Calling: How to Invite People Without a WhatsApp Account to a Call (Step by Step), Explained
WhatsApp now lets people without an account join voice and video calls from a computer browser through a call link. Calls can have up to 32 people, are end-to-end encrypted and have no time limit. Here is how to create a guest link, how guests join, what they can and cannot do, and how it compares with Google Meet and Zoom.
WhatsApp has added one of its most requested calling features: you can now invite people who do not use WhatsApp to a voice or video call. They join from a computer browser using a link, with no app and no account. Here is how it works and how to use it.
The 60-second version
- What: people without a WhatsApp account can join your call through a link.
- Where guests join: a computer web browser.
- Size: up to 32 participants, with no time limit.
- Security: end-to-end encrypted, guests wait for host approval.
- Cost: free.
- Announced: 14 October 2026 on WhatsApp's blog. Rollout timing by country was not specified.
How to create a guest call link (host)
You need an active WhatsApp account to host.
- Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls tab.
- Tap the + icon and choose to create a call link.
- Pick voice or video.
- Share the link by SMS, email, another app or a calendar invite.
- When guests arrive, approve them from the waiting room.
If you do not see the option yet, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. New features often reach users in stages.
How to join without WhatsApp (guest)
- Open the invitation link on your computer in a browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
- Enter your name.
- Allow microphone and camera access when the browser asks.
- Wait in the waiting room until the host lets you in.
What guests can and cannot do
| Guests can | Guests cannot |
|---|---|
| Talk and use video | See other participants' phone numbers |
| Share their screen | Send chat messages |
| Use reactions (like thumbs up and heart) | Invite other people |
| Raise a hand | Join without the host's approval |
These details are as reported by The Hans India from WhatsApp's announcement.
Host controls
- Waiting room: every guest must be approved before they can hear or join the call.
- Remove anyone: the host can remove a participant at any time.
- Link sharing: treat a call link like a meeting password. Share it only with the people you want, because anyone with the link can ask to join.
Coming next: calendar invites
WhatsApp says Google Calendar and Outlook integration is coming later this year. After installing a WhatsApp plugin and connecting your account, you will be able to add a WhatsApp call link to a calendar invite, and invitees will be able to join without a WhatsApp account.
WhatsApp vs Google Meet vs Zoom for quick calls
| WhatsApp guest call | Google Meet (free) | Zoom (free) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest needs an account? | No | Usually a Google account to join from a browser | No, but the app is often encouraged |
| Max participants | 32 | 100 | 100 |
| Time limit | None, says WhatsApp | 60 minutes for group calls | 40 minutes |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes, says WhatsApp | Not by default for free calls | Optional |
Free plan limits for Meet and Zoom are the vendors' published limits and can change. For a family call or a quick catch-up with someone not on WhatsApp, the guest link is now the simplest option. For big webinars, Meet and Zoom still offer more.
Why this matters in India
India is WhatsApp's largest market, and most people already host family and work calls on it. Guest links help with the people who are not on WhatsApp: colleagues on office laptops, clients abroad, or relatives who use a different app. It also puts WhatsApp in more direct competition with Google Meet and Zoom for small business and freelance calls.
Safety tips
- Do not share personal call links publicly, for example in open groups or on social media.
- Check names in the waiting room before approving. Anyone can type any name.
- Be careful with links you receive. If a "WhatsApp call link" asks for an OTP, password, payment or an app download, it is a scam. A genuine guest link only asks for a name.
The bottom line
WhatsApp guest calling lets anyone with a computer browser join your WhatsApp call through a link, with up to 32 people, no time limit and end-to-end encryption. Create the link from the Calls tab, share it, and approve guests as they arrive.
Based on WhatsApp's announcement of 14 October 2026 as reported by The Hans India, and earlier beta reporting by WABetaInfo. Google Meet and Zoom free-plan limits are taken from the vendors' public plan pages and may change. Information as of 18 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
›What is WhatsApp guest calling?
Guest calling lets people who do not have a WhatsApp account join a WhatsApp voice or video call from a computer browser by opening a call link. WhatsApp announced it on its blog on 14 October 2026.
›Do guests need to install WhatsApp or create an account?
No. Guests open the invitation link in a browser on their computer, enter a name and wait for the host to let them in. They do not need a phone number registered with WhatsApp or the app.
›How many people can join a WhatsApp guest call?
Up to 32 participants, and WhatsApp says there is no time limit on these calls.
›Are WhatsApp guest calls secure?
WhatsApp says guest calls are end-to-end encrypted. Guests wait in a waiting room until the host approves them, the host can remove anyone, and guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers.
›Can guests join from a phone browser?
WhatsApp's announcement describes guests joining from a computer browser. It has not confirmed support for mobile browsers.