WhatsApp group calls can be fun and are one of the best ways for groups to easily connect and communicate. However, this feature can be quite annoying for larger groups where not everyone is keen to join the call but still gets the ring. Aiming to solve this problem, the Meta-owned messaging platform is introducing a new voice chat feature that will be a less disruptive way for large groups to connect on the platform.
Voice chat allows you to instantly talk live with group chat members while you are also able to send messages to the group. Now, once you start a voice chat, Group members will receive a push notification to join instead of a call. There will also be an in-chat bubble they can tap to join.
You can see who has joined the voice chat in a banner at the bottom of the screen.
The messaging platform said in an update, “Voice chat will automatically end once everyone leaves the chat. If no one joins the first or last person in the chat for 60 minutes, they will also be eliminated.”
Voice chat is available for groups of 33 to 128 people and the feature is only available on primary devices, the company said.
"Group members who are not in a voice chat can see the profiles of people in the voice chat from the chat header and the calls tab," WhatsApp said. Currently, voice calls on WhatsApp are available for a maximum of 32 participants. Once the voice chat is running, call controls will be accessible from the top of the chat without hindering your ability to send text messages at the same time.
