WhatsApp Launches Group Calling on Android and iOS
In 2015, WhatsApp introduced voice calling, enabling users to voice call other WhatsApp users. Then, in 2016, WhatsApp introduced video calling, enabling users to video call other WhatsApp users. Now, WhatsApp is introducing group calling for voice and video.
WhatsApp Finally Adds Group Calling
At the Facebook F8 2018 conference back in May, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that group calling would be coming to WhatsApp in the not-too-distant future. Two months later, and WhatsApp (owned entirely by Facebook) is rolling out the feature.
Group video calling also coming to WhatsApp. Pretty soon Facebook is going to have four apps—Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp—that are absolutely exactly the same thing.
— David Pierce (@pierce) May 1, 2018
Other messaging apps have offered group voice calls and videos chats for a while now. Even Snapchat joined the party in April 2018, with support for voice calls for up to 32 people, and video calls for up to 16 people. But it’s better late than never for WhatsApp.
Encrypted Calls for Up to Four People
WhatsApp’s group calling for voice and video supports up to four people in total. All you need to do is start a one-on-one voice or video call with someone, and then tap the “Add participant” button in the top right corner to invite someone else to the conversation.
Two things separate WhatsApp’s group calls from the competition. First, all group calls are end-to-end encrypted. Which is probably why they’re limited to just four people. Secondly, WhatsApp has designed group calls to work under a variety of network conditions.
Update Your WhatsApp to Gain Access
WhatsApp is currently rolling out group calling to its Android and iOS apps. So, be sure to keep your WhatsApp updated to the latest version in order to gain access to the feature. With more than 1.5 billion people using WhatsApp, that’s a lot of people to group call.
If you’ve read this far down we assume you’re a regular WhatsApp user. Which means you should check out these tips to make WhatsApp more secure and private. But if you’re new to WhatsApp, take a look at the best WhatsApp features everyone should know.
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