WhatsApp has rolled out new features to make group calls easier to plan and more interactive. The update brings the ability to schedule calls, manage attendees, and engage during calls without speaking over others.
With the new Schedule Call option in the Calls tab, users can now set up calls in advance for individuals or groups. Once scheduled, participants will see the upcoming call in their Calls tab, along with details such as attendees and a call link. This link can be added to calendars or shared with others. Before the call starts, WhatsApp will send a notification to all participants as a reminder.
Another major update is the Raise Hand feature during group calls. This allows participants to indicate they want to speak without interrupting. There is also a new way to send reactions while on a call, making conversations livelier and less disruptive.
WhatsApp has also improved Call Links. If you create a call link, you will now receive notifications whenever someone joins the call.
As expected, all calls remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, ensuring that conversations stay private.
This move puts WhatsApp in a stronger position against services like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, especially for casual users who do not want to install a separate meeting app. Call scheduling could make WhatsApp a preferred tool not just for personal chats but also for small business meetings and remote team coordination.
The Raise Hand and Reactions features clearly take inspiration from professional meeting platforms. This could mean WhatsApp is looking to attract more professional and educational users who rely on structured discussions.
However, there are some questions about how these features will work in practice. Will large group calls become more manageable, or will notifications and reactions make them more chaotic? Also, since WhatsApp group calls currently have participant limits, we might see Meta increase those limits in the future to make these tools more impactful.
Overall, this update could change how people use WhatsApp for both work and personal life. If Meta continues to add meeting-like features, WhatsApp could become a serious alternative to dedicated conferencing platforms.
