You can send links to WhatsApp calls starting this week

The WhatsApp bootscreen
(Image credit: WhatsApp)

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that the instant messaging platform WhatsApp is rolling out a change that will allow people to send links to calls for the first time.

The feature, similar to one already offered by the likes of FaceTime and Google Meet, means that people can simply click a link and then instantly be transported into a call without any additional work.

Tapped out

While WhatsApp users previously had to join calls manually, this new change means those additional taps are no longer required. Instead, anyone can be sent a WhatsApp URL that will allow them to instantly and seamlessly join a call that's already in progress.

"We're rolling out call links on WhatsApp starting this week so you can share a link to start a call with a single tap," Zuckerberg said via Facebook. He went on to add that WhatsApp is also "testing secure encrypted video calling for up to 32 people," as well.

WhatsApp has long been one of the best iPhone apps for people who need to text and video call people who don't have access to iMessage and FaceTime — especially those who are using Android or PC devices. This new change now makes it easier than ever for people to join a call, adding a feature that many have been crying out for in recent years.

While Zuckerberg didn't say exactly when everyone can expect to have access to the new linking feature, it does appear that it is rolling out to people over the coming days. If you aren't able to use it just yet, hang fire — it'll be available soon enough.

Being able to send links to FaceTime calls is a relatively new addition, too. It arrived with the iOS 15 release last year while competing apps have offered a similar feature for some time now.

Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.

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