WhatsApp is working on a feature that would let users place voice and video calls to people who don’t have a WhatsApp account, removing one of the platform’s longest-standing barriers to communication.
According to a report from WABetaInfo, the messaging service is building a guest calling system for WhatsApp Web. The feature would allow non-users to join a call through a shared link without downloading the app, creating a profile, or verifying a phone number.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp introduced guest chat links that let people message non-users through a shared URL. WABetaInfo reports the company is now bringing the same idea to calls: users create a link, share it anywhere, and recipients can join straight from a desktop browser without setting up an account.
Removing the account requirement brings up privacy questions, but WhatsApp says encryption won’t be sacrificed for convenience. The company will use temporary, browser-generated session identifiers to build encryption keys on the fly. That way, calls stay fully end-to-end encrypted without WhatsApp ever storing permanent credentials – protection without the usual data trail.
There’s also the risk of unwanted participants once the account requirement is gone. WhatsApp is reportedly handling this by giving hosts full control over admission. Simply having the link won’t be enough to join; the host has to approve each guest first. Hosts can also remove disruptive participants mid-call or end the session entirely.
The feature is still in development and hasn’t appeared in the beta yet. WhatsApp hasn’t given a rollout timeline, so public testing will likely come once development wraps up.
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