WhatsApp has started rolling out Guest Calling, a feature that lets you invite anyone to a video or voice call through a link, even if that person does not have a WhatsApp account. The company announced the official rollout on October 14, 2026, according to 9to5Mac, with GSMArena reporting the launch on October 15.
The move puts WhatsApp directly against Zoom and Google Meet, which have built their reputations on link-based calls that work without an app install. For WhatsApp, which already dominates messaging in Tunisia and much of the Maghreb, the appeal is simple: the people you call most are already in your phone's contact list, and now the ones who are not can still join.
How WhatsApp Guest Calling works
The feature lives in the Calls tab of WhatsApp. You tap the "+" icon, create a call link, and send it to whoever you want on the call, whether that is a colleague, a classmate, or a tutor, per WhatsApp's own description quoted by 9to5Mac. There is no need to check which apps the other person has installed.
WhatsApp says guests always need host approval, whether the call is one-on-one or a group call with up to 32 participants. Guests land in a waiting room first, and the host can remove them at any point. Once inside, guests can share their screen, raise a hand, and send emoji reactions, but they cannot see other participants' phone numbers, send messages, or invite anyone else. GSMArena reports that guest calls have no time limits and stay end-to-end encrypted.
- Guests do not need a WhatsApp account and can join from a desktop browser without installing the app
- Hosts must approve every guest before they enter, and can remove them at any time
