HIGHLIGHTS
* WhatsApp lets you add up to 32 people in video calls.
* But when starting a new video call you can only add seven people at once.
* WhatsApp is now increasing this limit to 15 people.
* The newly increased group call initiation limit works for both voice and video calls.
* The change has been spotted in the latest WhatsApp Android beta.
WhatsApp has released numerous features in the past year or so that have helped it become more than just a messaging app. At the same time, it has also improved its core functionalities, texting and calling.
The latest WhatsApp beta release is no different, as the company has increased the number of users you can start a group call with.
This is a welcome change for those who are part of groups with a large number of users.
WhatsApp Doubles Group Call Initiation User Limit
The latest WhatsApp Android beta has been spotted by folks over at WABetaInfo with the new change.
The beta build version is 2.23.15.14, and it doubles the number of people you can start a WhatsApp group call with. The newly spotted limit is 15 compared to just 7 on stable builds.
This is a significant improvement and specifically beneficial for anyone who has to take part in group calls consistently with many users.
You can now select up to 15 people while starting a group call, and the remaining ones can be invited once the call has begun. The new limit works for group voice and video calls on the latest Android beta.
It is unknown when WhatsApp will expand the change to iOS users and stable versions. If you want to check it on your particular device, simply launch WhatsApp and begin a group call. You should be able to add more than 7 people if the newly released limit is available.
WhatsApp has not made any changes to the maximum number of users that can join a group call.
The limit is unchanged at 32, which was introduced on Android and iOS last year. It started testing the increased user limit for Windows users earlier this month, which was restricted to just 8 users.
Another noteworthy change introduced by WhatsApp recently is the ability to chat with unknown numbers without saving them. This will save users from the hassle of saving new phone contacts and then deleting them later.
WhatsApp has released the standalone Wear OS 3 app for compatible smartwatches. The app was first announced at Google I/O 2023 and was finally made available.
It supports starting a new chat, making calls, scrolling through chats, quick replies, and sending emojis.
WhatsApp has also improved the method to transfer chats between smartphones. It has added support for QR code scanning that will work when using two phones running the same operating system.
They should also be connected to the same WiFi network and have their location turned on.
Now, visit Settings > Chats > Chat Transfer on the old smartphone, which will generate a QR code. Scan this code through your new smartphone, and the chat transfer process will begin.
WhatsApp Video Call up to 15 People
WhatsApp users can now add up to 15 people when starting a new video call. This feature has started rolling out to WhatsApp beta users on Android, according to WABetaInfo.
This feature is reportedly available with the Android versions 2.23.15.14, 2.23.15.10, 2.23.15.11, and 2.23.15.13.
WhatsApp beta users on Android can update the app to these versions to get the latest feature. Since it’s on beta, the rollout will be gradual and it might not be available to all users at once.
The process to start group video calls on WhatsApp is quite easy and simple. You open the calls tab on WhatsApp and select the create call button on top.
You can then select the option to start a new group video call then select the participants from your contact list.
At present, you can choose only seven people for the group video call. Once the call starts, you can add more participants up to 32 in the call.
With the latest update, the limit has been increased to 15 participants. While this might not be a major update, it can still be helpful who want to host large group video calls. Also, having to add participants after the call starts can be cumbersome too.
As mentioned above, this feature is available only in beta and for WhatsApp users on Android. It isn’t available on iOS yet.
Android users can opt for WhatsApp’s beta programme to get the latest update, and also try out unreleased features. As for the official rollout, WhatsApp is yet to make any announcement.
Faqs
1. Can we add more than 8 people to the WhatsApp video call?
Ans) Now, you can add up to 32 members in the WhatsApp video or voice call.
2. What is the video call limit on WhatsApp?
Ans) WhatsApp allows up to 32 members in a video call, which is end-to-end encrypted.
3. What is the maximum number of members in the WhatsApp group?
Ans) A WhatsApp group can have a maximum of 1024 participants.
4. Is WhatsApp video call free?
Ans) WhatsApp enables you to stay connected with your friends and family through messages, audio notes, voice calls, and video calls. WhatsApp video calling feature is absolutely free to use and all you need to have is a stable internet connection.
5. Can you do a conference call on WhatsApp?
Ans) You can make group voice and video calls on WhatsApp. You need to open WhatsApp on your phone and tap the ‘Calls’ tab. Now, tap on the option ‘New call’ > ‘New group call’ and further select the contacts whom you want to add to the call, and finally tap on the option ‘Voice call’.
6. Does WhatsApp have a call time limit?
Ans) WhatsApp allows making voice calls and video calls that are free of cost. Also, there is no time limit on these calls.
7. What is the limit of the WhatsApp broadcast list?
Ans) You can create a broadcast limit with up to 256 contacts to send a message to numerous people at once.
8. How much data does a 1 hour WhatsApp call use?
Ans) A report by Android Authority states that WhatsApp uses approximately 740Kb/minute over a voice call. Moreover, the data consumption is increased at the time of video calling.
Also Read: WhatsApp launches ‘chat lock’ to increase privacy: keep certain messages secure spotted in beta