WhatsApp recently introduced a new feature that allows users to create call links to start an audio or video call with anyone, even if they are not in your contact list. This feature makes it easy to start a call with someone without needing their phone number.
The call links are generated through WhatsApp and can be shared with anyone via chat apps, email, websites, and more. When the recipient clicks on the link, it will open WhatsApp (if they have it installed) and start a call with the person who created the link. This provides a quick and convenient way to connect with people for meetings, interviews, customer support, and any other use cases requiring a voice or video call.
Here are some quick answers to common questions about the new WhatsApp call link feature:
What are the benefits of the WhatsApp call link feature?
– Start calls easily without exchanging phone numbers
– Schedule and plan calls by sharing links in advance
– Reach people you don’t have contact information for
– Provide customer support via video/voice calls
– Conduct interviews or screenings
– Hold virtual meetings with internal teams or clients
How do you create a WhatsApp call link?
– Open the Calls tab in your WhatsApp app
– Tap Create Call Link at the top
– Choose if you want the link for audio or video call
– Set the duration and number of uses for link
– Tap Create Link to generate a unique URL
Can the call links be used multiple times?
Yes, you can configure the call links to allow multiple uses and set a duration of availability when creating them.
Do both parties need to have WhatsApp installed?
Yes, both the caller and recipient need to have WhatsApp installed to use the call links. The links will open the WhatsApp app on the recipient’s device when clicked.
Can you schedule calls with the link feature?
Yes, you can schedule future calls by sharing the links in advance with meeting invitees. They can click the link at the scheduled time to join the call.
How to create a WhatsApp call link
Here is a step-by-step guide to creating call links in WhatsApp:
1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Calls tab
– Launch WhatsApp on your device
– Swipe to open the Calls tab, where your call history is displayed
2. Tap Create Call Link at the top
– Tap the Create Call Link option at the top of the Calls screen
– This will open the link creation page
3. Select call type
– Choose whether you want the link to start an audio or video call
– Video calls allow up to 8 participants while audio calls allow up to 4 participants
4. Set duration
– You can make links that expire after a set duration anywhere between 15 minutes to 24 hours
– This allows controlling how long the links will be valid for
5. Set number of uses
– Links can be configured to work between 1 to 100 times
– You can create a one-time link or make it reusable for multiple calls
6. Tap Create Link
– Review the settings and tap Create Link when ready
– This will generate a unique URL for your call link
7. Share link with recipients
– WhatsApp will display the link URL which you can copy or share
– Send the link to participants via chat, email, calendar invites, websites, etc
Once you’ve shared the call link, the recipients can click on it from any device to connect to your WhatsApp call when ready. The link expiration and usage limits configured while creating the link will apply.
Types of WhatsApp call links
There are two types of call links available in WhatsApp:
Audio call links
– Start an audio call with up to 4 participants
– No video, only participants’ voices can be heard
– Ideal for conference calls or podcast-style discussions
Video call links
– Start a video call with up to 8 participants
– Live video of all participants in Brady Bunch layout
– Best for video conferences, webinars, interviews etc
The process of creating audio and video call links is the same. You simply select the type you want when generating the link in WhatsApp.
Both audio and video calls using the links are end-to-end encrypted for privacy. High-quality audio and video are maintained using WhatsApp’s calling technology.
Participants can join on both mobile and desktop devices as WhatsApp’s multi-device capability is supported. This provides flexibility to join using smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers.
How to join a WhatsApp call using links
If someone sends you a WhatsApp call link, here is how you can join the call:
1. Click on the link
– Open the message containing the WhatsApp call link
– Click on the link which will have a URL starting with https://wa.me/
2. Open WhatsApp
– If you’re on mobile, tapping the link will directly open WhatsApp
– On desktop, it will open an online WhatsApp portal, then open WhatsApp desktop app
3. Start call
– WhatsApp will display the caller’s name and prompt to start the call
– Tap Start Call to join the call if ready
– If not, you can tap Cancel and join later before link expires
4. Join call
– Once ready, the call will connect you to the caller and other participants
– You can now converse over audio or video call as configured
5. End call
– To leave the call, simply tap the red End Call button
– The call will continue for other participants until the initiator ends it
That’s all there is to joining a WhatsApp call using a call link! It provides a quick and easy way to participate without needing someone’s personal contact details.
Use cases and examples
Here are some examples of how the WhatsApp call links can be used:
Group meetings
– Schedule team meetings by sharing call link in calendar invites
– Colleagues can join daily standups, brainstorming sessions etc
Webinars
– Host public or private webinars by sharing link on websites
– Presenters can broadcast talks and audiences can join Q&A
Interviews
– Recruiters can screen candidates via video call links
– No need to exchange personal phone numbers
Customer support
– Share call links on websites, social profiles, emails
– Customers can get assistance quickly with audio/video call
Remote events
– Create call links for workshops, classes, training sessions
– Attendees worldwide can join remotely via shared links
Sales meetings
– Salespeople can easily start video calls with prospects
– Quickly discuss products/services without scheduling calls
Podcasts/shows
– Host audio discussions, podcasts, shows with participants
– Listeners can call in via shared audio link
Limitations
While WhatsApp call links provide a new level of convenience, there are some limitations to be aware of:
– Links cannot be created from WhatsApp Business accounts
– Participants must have WhatsApp installed, doesn’t work independently
– Limited to 4 participants for audio and 8 for video calls
– Browser calls not supported, mobile or desktop app required
– Setting a meeting agenda requires alternative communication
– No cloud recording available, calls not stored anywhere
Overall though, the advantages like easier access, scheduling, and joining calls outweigh the limitations for most use cases.
Conclusion
The ability to generate call links in WhatsApp provides a great new way to have meetings, discussions, interviews, customer support calls, and other important conversations. With configurable expiration and usage limits, it offers flexibility for one-time or recurring calls.
It eliminates the friction of exchanging personal contact information to start a call. The process of sharing links via chat, email, or embedding them on websites makes it seamless to get people together on a call.
WhatsApp’s popular platform reaches billions of users worldwide, making this feature very accessible. With end-to-end encryption, call quality, multi-device support, and streamlined joining, it enables great call experiences.
This can save time and effort over manually coordinating calls. It provides businesses, teams, content creators, support agents, recruiters, and many others an easy way to connect conversations with audio and video.