{
  "id": 14467846,
  "title": "WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/whatsapp-now-lets-anyone-join-calls-no-account-needed",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-14T14:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MacRumors",
    "slug": "macrumors",
    "url": "https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/14/whatsapp-guest-calls/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "WhatsApp, the popular Meta chat application, has introduced a new feature allowing users to join voice or video calls without needing a WhatsApp account. This guest calling feature enables anyone to join a call, even if they lack a WhatsApp account, and provides free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits. Up to 32 people can join a single call.\n\nInviting guests to a call requires the host's permission, and guests enter a waiting room until the host allows them in. Guests cannot see participants' phone numbers, send messages, or add others to the call. However, hosts have full control over the call and can remove guests at any time. Guests can still enjoy screen sharing, thumbs up and heart emoji reactions, and use a raised hand to ask questions.\n\nTo initiate a guest call, WhatsApp users simply navigate to the Calls tab, tap the \"+\" button to create a call link, and then share this link with anyone. This call link can also be joined via a computer browser. WhatsApp plans to roll out calendar integrations later this year, allowing users to create a WhatsApp call directly from Google or Outlook calendars.\n\nWith the ability to join calls via a browser, WhatsApp has matched a feature previously offered by Apple for FaceTime in iOS 15. The feature demonstrates WhatsApp's commitment to making communication accessible to all, regardless of whether the recipient has a WhatsApp account.",
  "summary": "Popular Meta chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that lets users invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the invitee doesn't have a WhatsApp account. WhatsApp says everyone has access to free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at once. A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will show up…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ProPakistani",
        "title": "WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls Without an Account",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/whatsapp-now-lets-anyone-join-calls-without-an-account",
        "published": "2026-10-14T15:18:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "You can now join a WhatsApp call without an account",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/you-can-now-join-a-whatsapp-call-without-an-account",
        "published": "2026-10-14T17:25:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}