WhatsApp Call Links is available on Android and iOS. You will get the prompt to update WhatsApp if it isn’t on the latest version. And if it is updated, you will see the option to create a call link in the calls tab within the app. Here’s how to go about it.
1. Update WhatsApp to the latest version from Google Play Store (for Android) or Apple App Store (for iOS). Once it’s updated, open WhatsApp.
2. Go to the Calls tab and you’ll have the ‘create call link’ option atop the recent calls list.
3. You will now get to choose between voice or video call and the link for the same will be visible up top. You also have the option to send the link via WhatsApp (directly within the app), copy and send the link to other apps as well as share it externally through the Android/iOS share sheet options.
4. Tapping on the aforementioned link takes you to the call screen. You will have to grant some permissions for this to work. Do that.
5. You could join the call and if you haven’t yet shared the link with others, the screen would show ‘Waiting for others’. You could add people from the saved contacts.
6. There’s an option to even send/share the call link whilst you are already on a call. You just have to press the back arrow on the top left corner. That minimizes the calls screen to a mini floating window.
Now, if everybody else leaves the call, the app tells you that if nobody else joins the call again in 60 minutes, then the call will be automatically disconnected. So you have a 1-hour window to share the call link and add others to a call in which you are already present.
The WhatsApp calls you have been part of through a link show up on the recent calls list of WhatsApp with a link symbol.
At present, WhatsApp is reportedly allowing 32 participants in a video call. That may be small compared to what Zoom and Google Meet permit but WhatsApp is deeply integrated into the lives of millions in countries like India. So, if the app they use day in and day out anyways gets a feature like this, it's likely to enhance the user experience and be quickly adopted by many. Let’s see.
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