Big Update: WhatsApp Voice Chat Feature Released On iOS, Android: How To Use
WhatsApp has officially released a new voice chat feature that allows users to have live conversations with large groups in a more seamless and less disruptive way. Unlike the voice calls and voice notes, the new feature does not ring each group member individually when a voice chat is started. Instead, users will receive a silent notification, and can choose to join the voice chat at any time.
The feature is available for those WhatsApp groups with 33 to 128 members.
Before, in WhatsApp group chats, you could only start a voice call that rang every member, and if no one joined, the call didn’t happen. Now, with voice chats, you can start one in a group even if no one joins initially. Users are quietly prompted to join through a silent push notification.
WhatsApp voice chats can be compared with Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse where someone starts an audio session and anyone can join to listen and speak. It’s more inclusive on WhatsApp though, and it can be helpful as not everyone might be required for a group voice call. And since the call gets disconnected after no activity for 60 minutes, it’s easier to manage.
How to join WhatsApp Voice chat group
To start voice chat on WhatsApp:
- Open the group chat where you want to start the voice chat.
- Tap the phone icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap Start Voice Chat.
- Group members will receive a push notification inviting them to join the voice chat.
- You can see who has joined the voice chat on the banner at the bottom of the screen.
- To leave a voice chat, simply tap the Red Cross button.
Recent WhatsApp Updates
In addition to this development, WhatsApp introduced the ability for users to operate two accounts on one phone in October. While this requires dual SIM cards, a common feature in current smartphones, it enhances the platform’s accessibility for users managing multiple accounts.
