WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, allows users to chat or make calls with anyone at any time. To continuously enhance user experience, WhatsApp frequently introduces new features.
The latest addition is a new group call feature that enables conversations with up to 15 participants, a significant increase from the previous limit 7. This enhancement allows for more extensive group interactions, making it easier to stay connected.
Stay with us if you’re excited about this new group call feature. In this article, we’ll look at WhatsApp’s latest update and how it enhances your communication experience.
WhatsApp’s new group call feature will let you talk with up to 15 people.
WhatsApp is set to launch a new feature allowing users to make group calls with up to 15 participants. In November 2022, Mark Zuckerberg announced a feature enabling calls with up to 32 people, but at that time, group calls were limited to just 7 participants.
With the latest update, Android 2.23.15.14, Mark Zuckerberg has expanded this capability to allow group calls with up to 15 participants. According to a new report from WABetaInfo, this feature is now available in the latest WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.23.15.14.
As shown in the screenshot, you can select up to 15 people when you initiate a group call. Participants can join the call at any time while it is ongoing, making it convenient for everyone to connect.
What are the benefits of WhatsApp’s new group call feature?
Enhanced Conversations: This feature allows for more productive and engaging conversations with friends and family. You can share your screen to show presentations, work documents, or anything else, making collaborating and communicating easier.
Stay Connected with Large Groups: It is perfect for staying in touch with large groups, whether friends or work teams. Everyone can join the conversation simultaneously, making group discussions more inclusive and efficient.
Fun and Engaging Calls: 15-person group calls are ideal for catching up with friends, hosting virtual parties, or having casual chats. They provide a fun way to stay connected and share experiences in real time.
How to use WhatsApp’s new feature
- Open WhatsApp: Go to the “Calls” tab.
- Initiate a Group Call: Tap on “New group call.”
- Select Participants: Choose up to 15 people from your contacts.
- Start the Call: Press the “Call” button.
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According to a recent report, WhatsApp’s feature to initiate group calls with up to 31 participants, along with minor improvements to the calls tab, is currently available to a limited number of beta testers. This feature will be rolled out to more users over the coming weeks.
In addition, WhatsApp is introducing a new “automatic security code verification” feature for end-to-end encryption, which is also available to a limited number of beta testers on Android. This “Key Transparency” feature will automatically verify if messages are end-to-end encrypted without requiring user intervention. This enhancement aims to improve the overall security and privacy of users’ conversations by ensuring they are using a secure connection.
Benefits of the New Group Call Feature
WhatsApp’s latest update introduces a new group call feature that allows up to 15 participants. This enhancement brings several benefits to users, improving communication, engagement, and overall experience.
Enhanced Communication for Larger Groups
Connect with More People: The increased participant limit from 7 to 15 allows users to connect with more friends, family members, or colleagues in a single call.
Better Coordination for Teams: Ideal for work teams, this feature enables more efficient collaboration and discussion among team members, making remote meetings more productive.
Improved User Experience
Productive Conversations: By including more participants, conversations can be more comprehensive and engaging, accommodating diverse viewpoints and inputs.
Screen Sharing Capabilities: Users can share their screens during calls, facilitating presentations, document reviews, and other collaborative tasks, enhancing the utility of group calls.
Greater Convenience and Flexibility
Easy to Initiate and Join: Starting and joining group calls is simple. Participants can join the conversation at any time, making it convenient for everyone to connect.
Seamless Integration: The feature integrates smoothly with WhatsApp’s existing interface, ensuring a hassle-free experience for users.
Fun and Engaging Interactions
Virtual Gatherings: The ability to include up to 15 people in a group call makes it perfect for virtual parties, game nights, and casual hangouts with friends.
Lively Discussions: Larger group calls can lead to more dynamic and lively discussions, making conversations more enjoyable and engaging.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Bringing People Together: This feature helps bridge the gap for those who cannot meet in person, bringing people together virtually and ensuring everyone stays connected.
Inclusivity in Communication: By accommodating more participants, WhatsApp ensures that no one is left out of meaningful conversations, fostering inclusivity.
Professional Applications
Remote Work Support: As remote work becomes more prevalent, the new group call feature helps businesses and teams maintain effective communication and collaboration.
Client Meetings and Webinars: Businesses can use this feature to enhance communication strategies during client meetings, webinars, and other professional engagements.
How to Access the New Group Call Feature
Follow these simple steps to take advantage of WhatsApp’s new group call feature, which allows up to 15 participants. Ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device.
Step 1: Update WhatsApp
Check for Updates:
For Android Users: Open the Google Play Store, search for “WhatsApp,” and tap “Update” if available.
For iOS users: Open the App Store, search for “WhatsApp,” and tap “Update” if available.
Install the Latest Version:
Ensure you have the most recent version of WhatsApp to access the new group call feature and other enhancements.
Step 2: Open WhatsApp and Go to the “Calls” Tab
Launch WhatsApp:
Open the WhatsApp app on your smartphone.
Navigate to the Calls Tab:
Tap on the “Calls” tab, which is located at the bottom of the screen on iOS or at the top of the screen on Android.
Step 3: Initiate a New Group Call
Tap on “New Group Call”:
In the Calls tab, look for the “New group call” button and tap on it to start the process.
Step 4: Select Participants
Choose Contacts:
A list of your contacts will appear. By tapping on their names, you can select up to 15 people to include in the group call.
Confirm Selection:
Once you have selected the participants, confirm your selection to proceed.
Step 5: Start the Call
Press the “Call” Button:
After selecting the participants, press the “Call” button to initiate the group call.
Begin Your Group Call:
Your group call will start, and you can begin talking and sharing your screen with everyone.
Future Updates and Features
WhatsApp is continuously evolving to enhance user experience. Here’s a look at some anticipated updates and features that could further improve the app’s functionality:
Expanded Group Call Capacity
Increased Participants:
WhatsApp reportedly works on a feature allowing group calls with up to 31 participants. This expansion will accommodate even larger groups, making it ideal for bigger teams and social gatherings.
Improved Call Quality:
With the increase in participants, call quality and stability will likely improve to ensure smooth and clear communication for all users.
Enhanced Call Features
Call Recording Options:
Future updates may include options to record group calls, allowing users to save meaningful conversations or meetings for future reference.
Advanced Call Management:
Expect features such as muting specific participants, managing call roles, and better controlling group call settings.
Advanced Security Measures
Automatic Security Code Verification:
WhatsApp is introducing an “automatic security code verification” feature called “Key Transparency.” This enhancement will automatically verify end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure conversations without user intervention.
Enhanced Privacy Controls:
Additional privacy settings and controls might be implemented to give users more power over their communication security and data.
Improved User Interface
Calls Tab Enhancements:
Minor improvements to the calls tab will streamline the user experience, making it easier to navigate and manage calls.
User Experience Upgrades:
Expect updates that refine the user interface, making group calls and other features more intuitive and user-friendly.
Integration with Other Features
Seamless Integration with Other WhatsApp Features:
Future updates may integrate group calls with other WhatsApp features, such as status updates or chat threads, to create a more cohesive communication experience.
Cross-Platform Compatibility:
Enhancements to ensure that group calls function seamlessly across different devices and operating systems, providing a uniform experience for all users.
Additional Customization Options
Personalized Call Settings:
Users might gain access to more customization options for group calls, including personalized ringtones, call backgrounds and participant controls.
Interactive Features:
To make group calls more engaging and dynamic, new interactive features, such as in-call reactions and engagement tools, could be introduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new group call feature on WhatsApp?
The new group call feature on WhatsApp allows users to initiate calls with up to 15 participants. This update enhances communication by accommodating larger groups for personal or professional conversations.
How can I access the new group call feature?
To access the new feature, ensure you have installed the latest version of WhatsApp. Go to the “Calls” tab, tap on “New group call,” select up to 15 contacts, and press the “Call” button to start the call.
What are the benefits of the new group call feature?
The feature allows for more productive and engaging conversations, supports more extensive group interactions, and includes screen-sharing capabilities for presentations and collaboration. It also makes virtual gatherings and professional meetings more effective.
Can participants join the call after it has started?
Yes, participants can join the group call any time while it is ongoing. This flexibility ensures that everyone can join the conversation even if they can’t make it at the start.
Is the new group call feature available on both Android and iOS?
The new group call feature is available on Android and iOS devices. To access it, ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp for your respective platform.
Are there any limitations to the new group call feature?
While the new feature supports up to 15 participants, WhatsApp is also expanding this limit to accommodate up to 31 participants in future updates. The feature may not be available to all users immediately and may be rolled out gradually.
How do I update WhatsApp to get the new group call feature?
To update WhatsApp, open the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS), search for “WhatsApp,” and tap on “Update” if available. Install the latest version to access the new group call feature.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s introduction of the new group call feature, which supports up to 15 participants, significantly enhances the app’s communication capabilities. This update allows users to connect with more people simultaneously, making it easier to manage group conversations, collaborate on projects, or simply stay in touch with friends and family.
With the added benefit of screen sharing, the feature enhances personal and professional interactions, providing a versatile tool for various communication needs. Participants’ ability to join the call further increases their flexibility and usability.
