WhatsApp Introduces ‘Voice Chat’ Feature in Groups: What Is It, How Does It Work

WhatsApp is rolling out the availability of its Voice Chat feature across groups of all sizes. Once limited to larger groups, the feature works like a group call but doesn’t ring each user individually. It only shows an in-chat pop-up alert, inviting users to join without noise. WhatsApp has also simplified starting a group Voice Chat.

WhatsApp Group Voice Chat: What’s New

The update, according to the company, provides all WhatsApp groups the capability to initiate an audio hangout for live voice discussions, with members still being able to send text messages in parallel. Members can join or leave the group at any moment without affecting the continuity of the ongoing voice chat.

How to Use WhatsApp Voice Chat in Groups

Step 1: Open the group chat where you want to start a voice chat.

Step 2: Swipe up from the bottom of the chat screen.

Step 3: Hold for a couple of seconds to initiate the voice chat.

Step 4: The voice chat starts without ringing others; they’ll see an in-chat pop-up invite.

Step 5: The ongoing voice chat gets pinned to the bottom of the chat window.

Step 6: Tap on the pinned section to see participants and join/leave freely.

Step 7: Continue texting in the group while the voice chat remains active.

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Additional Details

Once initiated, the voice chat is pinned to the bottom of the group chat. This keeps call controls easily accessible and allows members to view who is actively participating, with new users being able to join at any moment. WhatsApp also announced that, as with all other communications on its platform, voice chats are end-to-end encrypted by default.

Although this is possibly the first time this has happened for WhatsApp users, the feature has existed elsewhere on platforms like Discord, Telegram, and Slack, where members of a group or server can simply join a continuing audio conversation without making a formal call.