If you’re running low on airtime, WhatsApp’s latest test feature might be able to lend a hand. Building on the ‘guest chats’ feature that WhatsApp began testing for iOS in March, the messenger is now working on guest calls. Users without an account — a rare find in South Africa — can theoretically join a call initiated by a member.
No WhatsApp, no problem
It was WABetaInfo (who else?) that discovered the functionality, which is currently in the midst of development. It may still be a ways off from a public release, though. WABetaInfo mentions that the feature has yet to reach beta testers at the time of writing. That didn’t stop it from sharing what the ‘new’ call link looks like.
At the moment, users can invite other contacts to a call via a link. Specifically, both users need to have an account and the app installed to join. WhatsApp’s using the same sort of tech here, allowing users to generate a link from the ‘Calls’ tab and send it to anyone. Clicking the link will take the non-member user to WhatsApp Web, where they can join without signing up. The host must still approve newcomers to the call.
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The host retains all of the power, just as they would with other WhatsApp contacts. Hosts can end a call for all members, or specifically eliminate guest callers as they see fit. The guest would then need a new link to join back.
Once the guest call concludes, that’s it. Unlike with guest chats — which stick around for up to ten days at a time — there’s no coming back ’til the user has another link sent to them. WhatsApp’s managed to keep calls encrypted by generating a unique identifier for that session, which WhatsApp uses to create the encryption key for the call.
