You can create a Call Link from the Calls tab on WhatsApp. Here, you’ll find a new “Create call link” option on top of your call log. Tapping this button will instantly create a new link that you can share with others. You can select the call type (voice or video) before sharing. WhatsApp offers options to share the link via the app itself or some other medium. You can also copy and paste the link. Anyone with the link can join the call, regardless of whether you have their WhatsApp number saved as a contact. All they need is a WhatsApp account. On tapping the link, the app will show who created the link (shows the phone number or the contact’s name if saved). You get two buttons to Leave or Join the call. Once you join, it’s the same call interface that you are already familiar with on WhatsApp. And as you’d expect, you can add more people to the call using the existing “Add participant” button. WhatsApp calls initiated via Call Links are noted by a link icon in the call log. This lets you differentiate those calls from others. You will find the link if you tap on an entry in the call log. You can also quickly start the same group call from there.
WhatsApp needs to refine the Call Links feature
WhatsApp’s idea with Call Links is to make it easy to start large group calls. Instead of manually adding people to an ongoing call, you can simply share a link. This feature also lets you have group calls with unsaved contacts. Interestingly, though, calls initiated via this method always show as group calls even if you only share the link with one person. This suggests the feature is primarily designed for group calls. However, WhatsApp doesn’t seem to have fully cooked it yet. It’s unclear if the shared links have any expiration period. And if there’s none, that means people can join the call anytime. Worse yet, you aren’t notified when someone you invite joins. So you must be active on the call to check who else has joined. Nonetheless, if you find this feature useful, you can check if you have it by navigating to the Calls tab on WhatsApp. If you don’t have it yet, update your WhatsApp app by clicking the link below. DOWNLOAD WHATSAPP
