Home » Misc » How to do conference calls on whatsapp

How to do conference calls on whatsapp


The Complete Guide to WhatsApp Conference Call

Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.

WhatsApp wasn’t just designed for messaging your friends and family. It turns out it’s also a great conference calling tool, too. We dive deeper into everything you need to know to get started below. 

Why Conference Calls Are So Important

Hosting conference calls is a great way to get your team on the same page no matter where in the world they are. Though the lines of what you officially call a conference call have been a bit blurred as the workplace changes and there are more communication methods, one thing is still clear: conference calls are a crucial part of communicating with your team members. And they can also be valuable for client interactions.

Picture this: Your team needs to meet soon to iron out a few wrinkles on your latest project. It’s one of your most significant projects yet, and you want a convenient way to call all of your team members at once. But some of them are either on the go or working from home at the time of the call. 

Thankfully, they’ve each downloaded WhatsApp on their phone, so they’ll be ready to jump on a call whenever and wherever. Best of all, it doesn’t cost anything to get everyone connected and interacting. With WhatsApp, that can be your reality once you’ve learned how to use it for conference calls. 

We’ve used WhatsApp to run group conference calls when we only need to meet with eight people. It’s convenient and can be a great option if you have a strong internet connection. It also helps that WhatsApp works on any type of smartphone since the hardware each of our team members uses always differs. 

Quick Tips to Improve WhatsApp Conference Calls Today

Here are some quick tips to try on for size if you’re using WhatsApp as your conference calling tool. Keep in mind that you can only use it for conference calls that include eight people or less. The upside is that it’s free to use and easy to set up.  

Download The WhatsApp App

To make a conference call through WhatsApp successfully, you’ll want to ensure everyone on your team has downloaded and configured the app first. That way, they aren’t fumbling around when it’s time to conduct the call. 

Downloading the app is as easy as finding it online through a quick Google search for using it on a computer. For smartphones and tablets, simply go to your phone’s app store and search “WhatsApp,” then download the free app to your device. Or you can visit whatsapp.com/download to download the app for Android, iPhone, or Windows. 

It’s nice to know that WhatsApp isn’t only for use on smartphones. You can also have easy access to it from your desktop or laptop whenever you need to use it to make your calls. 

Upload Your Contacts to WhatsApp on Mobile

There are several ways to add or import your phone’s contacts to WhatsApp. In many cases, when you first download the app, it will ask for your permission to sync your contacts with WhatsApp automatically. If you don’t want to do that (or forgot to), here are the steps to add contacts to WhatsApp on Androids and iPhones. 

On an Android device, follow these steps to add one contact at a time:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your Android device. 
  2. Tap the green new message icon. 
  3. Choose Contact Screen and then New Contact. 
  4. Put in the same and phone number of the contact and click Save. 

To sync all Android contacts to WhatsApp:

  1. Go to Settings and select Apps & Notifications from the settings menu.
  2. Scroll through the list of apps and tap on WhatsApp.
  3. Click on Permissions and then Contacts. 
  4. Select Allow for WhatsApp to have access to your phone’s contacts.

On an iPhone, follow these steps to add one contact at a time:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.  
  2. Click the blue plus (+) icon in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Enter the name and number of the person and click Done. 

To sync all iPhone contacts to WhatsApp:

  1. First, go to Settings and then select Privacy from the settings menu.
  2. Tap on Contacts and toggle the switch next to WhatsApp to On/green. 
  3. Open the WhatsApp application to check if your contacts are synced.

Test The Group Video and Voice Calling Features

Once you’ve configured your WhatsApp settings and uploaded your contacts, you can start testing its group video and voice features.

Here’s how to conduct a voice conference call through WhatsApp:

  1. Once you’ve downloaded the app, go to your chat tab.
  2. Choose anyone on your team you’d like to be part of your conference call and press the call button.
  3. Once they’ve answered your call, press the add call button in the upper right-hand corner and choose the contact from your contact list.
  4. Once they’ve answered, you’ll be able to see they’ve been added on your WhatsApp screen.
  5. Repeat this for up to eight people total.

It’s important to remember that if you decide to host a voice call, you won’t be able to switch to a video call if needed. To do that, you’ll have to hang up the call and then start a new group video call. 

Knowing small things like these, especially if you plan on making WhatsApp the primary way your team communicates, can help save you group call management headaches in the long run. It can also help you run group calls more efficiently. 

Here’s how to conduct a video conference call through WhatsApp’s chat tab:

  1. Once you’ve downloaded the app, go to your chat tab.
  2. Choose anyone you’d like to be part of your conference call and press the video call button.
  3. Once they’ve answered your call, press the add call button in the upper right-hand corner and choose the contact from your contact list.
  4. Once they’ve answered, you’ll be able to see they’ve been added on your WhatsApp screen.
  5. Repeat this for up to eight people total for video conferencing.

The main difference between conducting a video conference and a voice conference call is the button you push to start the call.  

Keep in mind that there’s more than one way to start a group video call. You can do it through the Calls tab or an already existing group chat. Here are a few tips to ensure your video conference call go as smoothly as possible:

  • Make sure to have a reliable internet connection for better video and audio quality.
  • If at any time during your video call you want to turn your video feature off, you can easily do that by tapping Video off.
  • Keep in mind that for someone to be removed during an active group video chat, they’ll have to hand up from their own device.

Schedule and Broadcast Your Next Conference Call

Once you’ve gotten familiar with WhatsApp and its calling features, it’s time to schedule your next conference call. The easiest way to do this is by sending a group message with the conference call time and date. 

However, you can also send a quick email if that works better for you. The beauty of conference calls with WhatsApp is that you don’t have to deal with distributing long login links, dial-in numbers, or access codes.

Long-Term Strategies for Better Conference Calls

The quality of your conference calls hangs on two main factors: How well you prepare beforehand and the quality of your conference calling tools. Here are some tips and tricks to help you step up your conference calling game long-term, whether you use WhatsApp for your calls or not. 

Get Clear On Your Call’s Agenda Beforehand

Hands down, one of the best ways to successfully manage your conference calls, especially the bigger they get, is to approach them with a game plan.

This means you want to have a plan or schedule for every conference call you host. Here are a few bullet points that can help point you in the right direction. Try these on for size to see what helps you run better calls. 

  • Let everyone take turns introducing themselves, especially if they have yet to meet each other.
  • Be sure to use the mute button (when possible) freely to ensure no one talks over anyone else and everyone is respectful of each other’s time.
  • Are you recording the conference call? Let everyone know beforehand, so they know what they’re getting into.
  • What’s the conference call’s general agenda? It’s a good idea to let everyone know in the beginning so that they know what to expect.
  • Who’s the conference call host? You should also make this known in the beginning to avoid any confusion. And again, this becomes more important the bigger your conference calls get.
  • It’s always a great idea to send a post-conference call summary so that both attendees and those who weren’t able to make it are filled in on what was discussed.

Set A Time Limit

Though it might sound counterintuitive at first, presetting a time limit for your conference call can actually help you achieve more during the call. With a clear ending in mind, you’ll be able to set the pace for a conference call that’s productive and moves your team forward.

Setting a time limit and letting everyone that’s part of the conference call know beforehand can also help them plan their day. Knowing how much time they’ll need to set aside for your conference call can help them be more present and better prepared. 

This is true regardless of whether you’re working with a video, phone, or hybrid conference call. It’s also helpful to know if the software you’re using has a conference or group call limit. That way, you aren’t caught by surprise mid-meeting. 

Find A More Robust Alternative

WhatsApp is a reliable tool for communicating with a small group of people. However, it becomes pretty apparent pretty quickly that WhatsApp wasn’t primarily designed for conference calls.  

But that isn’t an issue when you look through your other options. There are plenty of more robust conference calling options specifically designed to help you host top-notch conference calls regardless of how long your calls are or the size of your team. 

We’ve put together a guide that dives into the best conference calling services available. However, here’s a quick time-saving recap of the best options worth considering: 

  • RingCentral – Best conference call service for most
  • GoToMeeting – Best for keeping your remote team cohesive
  • Grasshopper – Best mobile virtual phone system
  • ClickMeeting – Best for webinars and conference calls
  • Zoom – Best for hosting video conference calls
  • Vast Conference – Best for instant conference calls
  • FreeConferenceCall.com – Best free conference call service

Here’s a quick look at our top three favorites:

RingCentral is a leader in all things business communications. So it’s no wonder it also tends to dominate in the conference call space, too. Unlike WhatsApp, RingCentral offers calling tools designed to cater to hosting and managing conference calls. It can also be affordable if you go with one of its starter plans.

Zoom is great if you’re leaning toward making video conference calls more than anything else. It’s easy to use, accessible to just about anyone with an internet connection, and comes with lots of useful features, even on its free plan. All in all, Zoom is a great video conferencing option for businesses both big and small. 

FreeConferenceCall is a possible option for you if you’re looking for a free conference call service that takes you beyond what an app like WhatsApp can do without having to pay any ongoing fees. FreeConferenceCall is used by all kinds of businesses of all sizes, and it’s a viable free option worth considering. 

Next Steps

WhatsApp is a great conference calling option you probably hadn’t thought of before. Now that you know how useful it can be in helping you bring your team together, you can easily make it part of your workflow going forward. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that it does come with an eight-person limit whether you’re making a video call or group voice call.  

Now, the fun doesn’t stop there. We eggsperts pride ourselves in bringing you some of the most in-depth guides on everything business. After you’ve read and bookmarked this guide, below are a couple more we think you’ll find useful.

Are you looking to learn more about product management? We’ve compiled a list of the best courses you can take to learn the ins and outs of managing every aspect of your product. 

And finally, when you’re managing payroll for your growing business, you need all the help you can get. That’s why we created a guide to the best payroll software you can onboard to help automate the process and make sure your company is compliant with payroll regulations. We have a favorite, and we aren’t afraid to tell you all about it. Make sure you check out the guide to learn everything you need to know to get started. 

How to make group calls on WhatsApp

  • Tech/
  • Reviews/
  • Work from home

/

You can make video and audio calls with up to seven other people

By Aliya Chaudhry

|

Share this story

Photo Illustration by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Part of /

The Verge Guide to staying connected

Being able to stay in touch while social distancing is really important, which is why we’ve come to rely on apps that help you make group calls. WhatsApp, which sends messages over the internet rather than SMS, has become a popular alternative to texting, but it also lets you make calls. On WhatsApp, you can do an audio-only or video group call with up to eight people. WhatsApp is a good alternative to Zoom for smaller groups as it uses end-to-end encryption (unlike Zoom).

WhatsApp is available for both iOS and Android, so you can easily chat with or call people even if you don’t all have the same kind of phone. While you can access WhatsApp from your browser or download the desktop version of the app, you can only make and answer calls on mobile. You will need to set up an account on the app (and if you’re smart, secure it properly) in order to use it.

One of the drawbacks of group calls on WhatsApp is that you can’t switch a group call between audio-only and video once you start the call. To switch, you’ll have to hang up and start the call again.

While the interface looks a little different on Android than it does on iOS, the basic steps for making group calls are the same. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make group calls on WhatsApp:

From the “Calls” section:

  • Go to “Calls” by clicking on the phone button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap the button with a phone and a plus sign in the top right corner of the screen.
  • Click on “New Group Call.”
  • This will open up a list of your contacts. You can search through them by typing in the names of the people you want to add into the search bar at the top. Add people to the call by clicking on the circles next to their names.
  • Tap the phone button to start an audio call or the video button to start a video call.

From a group chat:

  • Click “Chats” on the bottom of your screen and then select a group conversation to open it.
  • If your group chat has four people or fewer in total, you’ll see a video icon and phone icon (without a plus sign) in the top right corner. Tapping either of those buttons will start a call with everyone in the chat automatically.
  • If the group chat has more than four people, you’ll need to select who to add to the call. Click on the button that has a phone and a plus sign in the top right corner. The names of the members of the group chat will pop up. Select who to add to the call by tapping the circles next to their names.
  • Tap the video button to start a video call or the phone button to start an audio call.

You can also add more people to a one-on-one call. Here’s how:

  • Tap “Chats” toward the bottom right corner of your screen and then click on a conversation to open it.
  • Tap the phone button in the top right corner to start an audio call or the video button to start a video call.
  • After the person you called has picked up, click on the button with a person and a plus sign in the top right corner to add people to the call.
  • This will pull up a list of your contacts. To find someone quickly, type the name of who you want to add to the call into the search bar at the top, which will filter the list of contacts. Click on the name of the person you want to add.
  • You may also get a pop-up window asking if you want to add that person to a group call. Tap “Add” to let them join the call.

Update April 13th, 9:57AM ET: This article has been updated to include that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will let users place calls directly from group conversations.

Update April 29th, 5:17PM ET: This article has been updated to reflect WhatsApp has increased the limit on group calls from four to eight, and the instructions have been edited to incorporate WhatsApp’s previous update that lets users place calls directly from group conversations.

Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

Most Popular

  1. Elon Musk is putting Twitter at risk of billions in fines, warns company lawyer

  2. Mario flipped off Twitter for nearly two hours with the blessing of Musk’s ‘verification’

  3. Inside Elon Musk’s first meeting with Twitter employees

  4. Elon Musk tells Twitter staff to prepare for ‘difficult times ahead’ and ends remote work

  5. How to record a phone conversation with an Android phone

Instructions: how to organize a group call on WhatsApp

Continuation of the story from

Media news2

Stories

Stories

Anna Polyakova

Editor (RB)

Anna Polyakova

WhatsApp allows you to hold small video conferences for up to four people. This service compares favorably with FaceTime by its availability on both iOS and Android, and from Zoom by the presence of end-to-end encryption. How to set up a group call on WhatsApp.

Anna Polyakova

From the "Calls" section

  • Go to the "Calls" section and press the button with the handset and the plus sign.
  • Press New Group Call
  • This will open your contact list. You can find the people you need by entering their names in the search box at the top of the screen. To add a person to a call, click on their name.
  • Then press the camera button to start a video call or the handset button to start an audio call. During a WhatsApp group call, you cannot change a video call to an audio call and vice versa, so decide in advance which option is preferable for you.

From a group chat

  • Go to the "Chats" section and open the desired group chat.
  • Press the handset button with the plus sign.
  • This will open the list of chat participants. To add a person to a call, click on their name.
  • Then press the camera button to start a video call or the handset button to start an audio call.

WhatsApp is now releasing an update that will allow you to initiate calls directly from group chats of up to four people. Right in the conversation, buttons will appear to start a video or audio call without intermediate steps. WhatsApp says that this feature is not yet available to all users.

From a one-on-one conversation

  • Go to the "Chats" section and open a chat with the right person.
  • Next, press the camera button to start a video call, or the handset button to start an audio call.
  • After starting a one-on-one conversation, you can add one or two more participants to it by clicking on the button with the silhouette of a person and a plus sign.
  • This action will open your contact list. You can find people using the search bar at the top of the screen. To add a person to a call, click on their name.
  • You may then see a pop-up window asking if you really want to add this person to the video conference. To confirm your decision, click Add.

Source.

Photo: The Verge

  • Android
  • Useful Services
  • Career
  • iOS
  • life hacks
  • Messengers
  • Mobile
  • udalenka
  • whatsapp

Found a typo? Select the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Related materials

  1. one Not only Zoom: what other services can video conference for free
  2. 2 What risks were found in the service for video conferencing Zoom
  3. 3 How to Host an Online Meeting: 8 Rules for Effective Communication
  4. four How to Transfer WhatsApp Messages from Android Smartphone to iPhone

CAPABILITIES

November 11, 2022

AI Journey Contest

November 13, 2022

FranchCamp Aspiring Entrepreneur Competition

November 13, 2022

Sovcombank Team Challenge 2022

All possibilities

News

Amazon became the first company in the world to lose $1 trillion in capitalization

News

Oleg Tinkov decided to renounce Russian citizenship

Stories

What happened to FTX?

Lists and ratings

VPN apps for accessing Russian services abroad

Speakers

Memory training: tips and exercises to help keep the brain in good shape

how the function works, how to make a group video call

WhatsApp messenger developers constantly surprise their users with updates and unusual novelties that turn out to be convenient to use. There was such a feature as a group call in WhatsApp, which provides video communication for several people at once. Each of the group chat participants can see other interlocutors, switch the front and main cameras, pause the audio or video stream.

Video conferencing function in WhatsApp

Function " video chat " was originally present in the WhatsApp messenger, but the developers decided to improve it - the program now has the ability to make a group call. Each user can call people from his contacts for free, who also installed the application on their smartphone. The package of minutes in the tariff plan will not be spent, communication is carried out via the Internet.

Thanks to the emergence of such a function as conference calling in WhatsApp, the possibilities of the messenger have expanded significantly! Now it can be used as an alternative to programs like Skype and TS. WhatsApp messenger can be installed on almost any phone, unlike other communication applications. The conference in the messenger is available in both audio and video format.

How many people does it include?

A WhatsApp call can be made to one person. Then two more can join the conversation. Video communication can be simultaneously carried out immediately between four people , including the person who initiated this conversation. During a simultaneous call, audio, video communication will work, text SMS will remain available.

How do I make a WhatsApp group video call?

To use group video conferencing on any smartphone with iOS or Android operating system, you need to make sure that the new version of the messenger is installed. To do this, you need:

1 . Go to the official app store.

2 . Find the list of installed programs, and in it - the WhatsApp messenger.

3 . If the “Update” button is lit next to it, then the smartphone is using its outdated version. You need to click on the update button.

4 . If there is an "Open" button next to the application, then the smartphone is using the latest version of the messenger, in which the group video conferencing function is available.

Although the messenger is installed on almost all modern smartphones, the update will not be available for all OS versions. Android devices with version below 4.1 will not support this option.

To start a video conference, you need :

  • to call one person from the contact list;
  • after starting a conversation, click in the corner of the screen on the icon with the image of a man and a plus sign that appears;
  • when clicked, a drop-down list of names will open;
  • from the list, a maximum of 2 more people are added to the dialogue;
  • after connecting the fourth person, all three people will be equally clearly visible on the same screen to each participant.

Automatically, when creating a group call on your smartphone, the front camera will turn on. But if desired, the owner of the phone can switch it to the main one using manual mode. At the conference, each participant can do this if necessary.

Please note that when a group chat has already been created and four people participate in it, it will no longer be possible to disable any of them in the future. That is, any participant cannot exclude another person from the conversation, unless he himself wants it. If desired, each participant can leave the chat independently, then the conversation will continue without him, three or two.

On Android

The procedure for making a group video call on Android is different from that on iPhone. The appearance of the menu, icons and their location will also be different. To start a conversation, you need to follow these steps:

  • go to the "Calls" section;
  • in the lower right corner, click on the tube icon;
  • find the desired name, nickname in the list and select the appropriate communication format;
  • only after picking up the phone, an icon with a little man will appear in the upper right corner, which will add new faces to the chat;
  • from the drop-down list, you need to select a person among the contacts;
  • then a pop-up window will appear to confirm the invitation. You must agree;
  • the third person will receive a notification that they are invited to the conference. If he accepts this invitation, he will be added to the conversation.

Similar actions are performed when adding a fourth conference participant.

On the iPhone

In the case of the iPhone, all actions will be similar, only the icons for inviting people may differ:

  • you need to go to the “Calls” section;
  • click on the blue tube icon with a plus;
  • select a contact from the list that appears, click next to it on the handset for an audio call or a camera for a video call;
  • when a connection is established between two subscribers, an icon with a picture of a person in a circle with a plus sign is activated in the upper right corner;
  • when you click on it, you will be able to add new people to the chat.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of WhatsApp video conferencing is that you can talk to three people from different parts of the world at once for free. This function is convenient for both informal and business communication, it allows you to resolve any business issues with partners without direct meetings.

Another advantage of group communication is that it is not forbidden to use other functions during video and audio calls. You can immediately write text messages, send photos, stickers and others.

The main disadvantage of the function is the limited number of people who can take part in the conversation. Together with the organizer of the conversation, there are only 4 of them. Sometimes this amount may not be enough for a full-fledged meeting. In the near future, for iOS or other operating systems, developers will increase this number, expand the capabilities of the messenger, but so far WhatsApp has only such options.

Developers have something to strive for, as in analogues offering video communication, the number of people participating is greater. In Skype, the maximum number is 28 people, in Facetime - 32.

Learn more