How to Make Group Calls on WhatsApp (Voice and Video)

You can make a group voice or video call on WhatsApp by opening a group chat and tapping the phone or video icon, or by starting a new group call from the Calls tab. WhatsApp supports up to 32 participants in either type of group call, rather than the four-person limit shown in older guides. The steps below work on iPhone and Android, although button placement can vary by app version.

Before you make a WhatsApp group call

Update WhatsApp, check your internet connection, and allow microphone access. Video calls also require camera permission. Calls use Wi-Fi or mobile data, so your carrier may charge for cellular data. WhatsApp says personal calls are end-to-end encrypted. Its WhatsApp calling update confirms 32-person video calls across supported devices.

Start a group voice or video call from a chat

1. Open WhatsApp and select the group conversation you want to call. You can also begin in an individual chat and add people after the first person answers.
2. At the top of the group chat, tap the phone or video camera control. If a menu appears, choose Voice call or Video call.
3. If prompted, choose which group members to ring, then confirm the call. People you invite can answer or decline.

In larger group chats, selecting specific participants helps avoid ringing everyone. The in-chat option calls group members; to invite contacts outside that group, start a separate group call or use a call link.

Start a group call from the Calls tab

1. Open the Calls tab and tap the new call button (often a phone with a plus sign).
2. Select New group call, if offered, and choose the contacts you want to invite.
3. Tap the voice or video call button to start. You can invite more people later, up to the 32-person limit.

Add people to an ongoing call

If you began with a one-on-one call, wait for it to connect, then tap the add participant icon (a person with a plus sign). Search for a contact, select them, and confirm the invitation. Repeat as needed. In a group call, everyone can see the participant list, so tell someone before adding them unexpectedly.

Use the controls during a group video call

In a video call, tap the microphone to mute yourself, the camera to turn video on or off, or the red phone button to leave. Your screen may show a grid of participants and highlight whoever is speaking. You can continue using WhatsApp while the call is active. You generally cannot convert an already established group voice call into a group video call; start a video call instead if that is what you need. See the official WhatsApp video calling guide.

Join a group call you missed

If a group call is still in progress, you do not necessarily have to wait for someone to call again. Open the relevant group chat or the Calls tab, select the active call, review who is participating, and tap Join. You can leave and rejoin while the call is active. WhatsApp documents this behavior in its group voice calling instructions.

Invite people with a WhatsApp call link

1. Open Calls, tap the new-call control, and choose Create call link or New call link.
2. Select Voice or Video. If available, enable approval before others can join.
3. Copy the link or share it directly with the intended participants. Avoid posting it publicly.

WhatsApp's call link instructions notes that links can expire after 30 days without use. In an guest calling announcement dated October 14, 2026, WhatsApp also introduced browser-based guest access for people without an account, subject to host approval. Guest availability may vary during rollout; an account is still needed to create a link.

Make or join a group call on a computer

WhatsApp Web and supported desktop apps offer calling features, but the available controls can differ by platform and version. Open Calls or a chat, select the calling option, and allow microphone and camera access if prompted. A headset can reduce echo. Check WhatsApp's group voice calling instructions for the current web calling steps.

If group calling does not work

• No call button: Update WhatsApp and reopen the chat or Calls tab; some controls differ by device and app version.
• Others cannot hear or see you: Check microphone and camera permissions, in-call mute controls, and connected Bluetooth devices.
• Call drops or freezes: Try stable Wi-Fi, move closer to your router, or stop other heavy network activity.
• You have a large chat but want a quiet discussion: Consider the separate WhatsApp voice chat guide. Unlike a normal ringing group call, voice chats allow people to join a conversation without the same full-group call alert.

WhatsApp calling is internet-based, not a replacement for emergency phone service. For urgent assistance, use your local emergency calling method.