WhatsApp introduces guest calling for people without accounts

WhatsApp announced on October 14, 2026, that people without accounts can join one-to-one and group calls through a link, widening access to its calling service for people invited by an account holder. The host must approve each guest before they enter the call.

A WhatsApp account is still required to create a call link. According to the company, a guest can open the link in a computer browser, enter a name and wait in a waiting room until the host admits them. The host can also remove a guest after admission. That process gives the person arranging the call control over who enters, even when an invitation link has been shared.

How WhatsApp guest calls work

WhatsApp says guest calling covers calls between two people as well as group calls of up to 32 participants. Guests can share their computer screen, react with emoji and raise a hand during a call. Those features allow invited people without accounts to take part in a discussion or presentation from a computer browser after the host approves them.

Guest access has limits. Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers, send messages or directly add people to a call, according to WhatsApp. An account holder creates the invitation, while guests use the link to join the call. WhatsApp describes the calls as free, end-to-end encrypted and without time limits; those are the company's claims about the service. The announcement and reporting do not specify when all users will have access.

Calendar integrations planned for later in 2026

WhatsApp also says it plans integrations with Google Calendar and Outlook later in 2026. Using them will require a WhatsApp plugin and an account connection, according to the company. They are planned additions to calling rather than part of the guest access announced on October 14. WhatsApp has not specified a launch date for the integrations in its announcement.

The calling change follows separate testing of text conversations with people who do not have WhatsApp accounts. 9to5Mac reported that WhatsApp expanded that testing earlier in 2026 and that it did not include voice or video calls. Guest calling brings the option to invite people without accounts into calls, under the host approval process WhatsApp has described.