WhatsApp Now Lets You Join Group Calls Even After They've Started - MacRumors
Skip to Content

WhatsApp Now Lets You Join Group Calls Even After They've Started

WhatsApp has introduced a new call feature to its platform that allows you to jump into an end-to-end encrypted group call even after it has started.

whatsapp joinable calls
Previously it was only possible to join a group call in WhatsApp when the call was first made and the phone was ringing, which meant if you missed the initial notification and the group call had started, you were effectively locked out of joining.

Joinable calls changes all that. Now, if someone in the group misses the call when the phone rings, they can still join whenever they like. You can also drop-off and re-join the call so long as it's still ongoing.

WhatsApp says the new feature serves to "reduce the burden of answering a group call as it starts, and brings the spontaneity and ease of in-person conversations to group calling on WhatsApp."

In addition to joinable calls, WhatsApp has got a new call info screen so you can see who is already on the call, and who has been invited but not yet joined. There's also a new "Ignore" option in the calls tab if you want to join a call later.

Joinable calls is rolling out now globally. Note that only eight participants can be active on a WhatsApp call at one time.

Popular Stories

Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Testing Paid 'Plus' Subscription Tier – Here's What's Included

Tuesday April 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
WhatsApp has started testing a paid subscription tier called WhatsApp Plus, which adds a set of personalization options on top of the standard messaging experience, according to WABetaInfo. The paid plan Meta is testing appears to be geared towards hardcore users who spend a lot of time in the app: subscribers get access to premium sticker packs with fullscreen overlay animations (visible to ...
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp Plus Lands on iPhone With Custom Themes, Icons, and More

Monday May 11, 2026 2:41 am PDT by
WhatsApp has started rolling out its paid WhatsApp Plus subscription to iOS, following beta testing of the new personalization-focused tier amongst a small group of users, reports WABetaInfo. The plan is light on practical features, and is aimed more at heavier users who want to customize various aspects of the WhatsApp experience. It gives you access to premium sticker packs with fullscreen ...
meta ai incognito chat

Meta AI App Gets 'Incognito Chat' as OpenAI Faces Lawsuits Over Stored Chat Logs

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:23 pm PDT by
The Meta AI app and Meta AI on WhatsApp have a new "incognito chat" option, which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said is a "completely private way to interact with AI." Zuckerberg also said that Meta AI's incognito mode is the first major AI product where there is no log of conversations stored on servers. Zuckerberg likened the feature to end-to-end encryption, and said no one will be able to...

Top Rated Comments

kiensoy Avatar
63 months ago

Imagine still using a zuckerberg product in the current year
Not hard to imagine, millions use it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
giv-as-a-ciggy-kent Avatar
63 months ago
Imagine still using a zuckerberg product in the current year
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
63 months ago

Imagine still using a zuckerberg product in the current year
everyone but the US and China use WhatsApp
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
63 months ago
Only feature WhatsApp really needs is the ability to block people from sending you audio messages… nothing more frustrating than listening to a 50 sec audio message that I could have read in 15 seconds.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)