In a recent update, WhatsApp has introduced an innovative voice chat feature aimed at enhancing the group calling experience on its messaging platform. Departing from the current method of ringing all members' devices during group calls, the new feature promises a less intrusive approach, enabling participants to engage in other activities within the app concurrently. This move aligns WhatsApp with popular platforms like Slack and Discord, which already offer similar functionalities.
The announcement of the voice chat rollout for Android users came via WhatsApp's official channel on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
The feature is currently available to users who have updated their WhatsApp applications to the latest versions on both Android and iOS through the Google Play store and the App Store, respectively. Once activated for a group, members will notice an option to initiate a voice chat, replacing the traditional group call button.
WhatsApp Voice Chat: How To Use
Here's how to start a voice chat on WhatsApp:
On the app, open the group you want to start a voice chat with
Tap on the icon, found on the top right corner
Tap on Start Voice Chat
Members will receive push notifications, inviting them to join the conversation. Notably, all group participants, even those not partaking in the voice chat, can view the profiles of active participants. Moreover, users can multitask within WhatsApp, such as texting other group members who are not engaged in the ongoing call.
The introduced feature allows users the flexibility to exit and rejoin the voice chat multiple times. The voice chat session concludes when all participants leave or if no new members join within an hour. WhatsApp's official announcement outlines the initial rollout for larger groups, specifically those with more than 32 members. According to the platform's FAQs, the feature extends to groups with 33 to 128 participants, with accessibility limited to a user's primary device—linked devices are not currently supported.
