WhatsApp Launches Voice Chat for Large Groups

WhatsApp is rolling out new new voice chat features meant for large groups, expanding the Meta-owned messaging platform to more directly compete with group-focused platforms like Discord.

The new feature allows users to start voice chats with larger groups than is currently possible, and make initiating them less distracting. Until now, WhatsApp group calls could start with a maximum of 15 people, all of whom would hear a phone-style ringing when the voice chat started; now, voice chats can start with as many as 128 people, each of whom receive a quieter push notification, and can join the call anytime in progress.

The new voice chat feature is currently limited to a minimum group size of 33 users; smaller groups will be forced to use WhatsApp's existing voice call tech, with its phone-style ringing.

Even if someone can’t make a call, they can still participate in group texts during the call. When a call is taking place, participants inside the call will see controls to mute and hang up at the top of the group chat and can send text messages to other people in the group at the same time. 

WhatsApp is rolling out the end-to-end encrypted chat feature to iOS and Android in the coming weeks.