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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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
To sync all Android contacts to WhatsApp:
On an iPhone, follow these steps to add one contact at a time:
To sync all iPhone contacts to WhatsApp:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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WhatsApp the world’s most popular messaging app now supports group and video calls online.
The Facebook-owned app lets you connect to multiple callers worldwide for free via an internet connection.
Users can call several friends on either WiFi or on your data connection, or you can make a video call using Wi-Fi.
This feature is available on both Android and iOS and express.co.uk explains how to do it below.
Users can now make video calls to your contacts using your WiFi or data on WhatsApp.
To do this, open up the WhatsApp and click on a conversation.
Users will see a video camera icon at the top right of the conversation window.
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WhatsApp conference call: How to make a group call and video call on WhatsApp EXPLAINED (Image: GETTY)
Tap on that and you will automatically connect to a video call with that contact.
You can adjust volume, switch from front to back camera and mute the video during the call.
Again, this is a similar process to video calling.
WhatsApp lets you connect to multiple callers worldwide for free. (Image: GETTY)
To start a group call, fire up a conversation on your WhatsApp and click the phone icon in the top right of the screen.
Once your contact has picked up the phone, you can then click on the + icon on the screen and select multiple contacts to connect to a group call.
Click on who you want to add and wait for them to accept the call.
You can also do this with group video calls.
WhatsApp: Map shows countries where WhatsApp is blocked (Image: Express)
You can now make video calls to your contacts using your WiFi or data on WhatsApp. (Image: GETTY)
To do this, start a video call.
Once your contact has accepted the call, click on the + icon again and add another contact.
The screen will then be split with the separate video feeds.
Video calling can drain your data package, so if you are tight on data, make sure you are connected to a WiFi connection to get the full benefit of conference video calls.
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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.
The “ video chat ” function 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.
A WhatsApp call can be made to one person. Then another two 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.
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 :
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.
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:
You must agree; Similar actions are performed when adding a fourth conference participant.
In the case of the iPhone, all actions will be similar, only the icons for inviting people may differ:
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.
Such a number is not always necessary and useful, but it may come in handy for someone.
Despite the fact that WhatsApp was recently at the center of a controversy over new privacy rules, according to which the data of the messenger's users will be transferred to Facebook, its audience has hardly decreased. No, some of the users have certainly moved to Telegram, which has been the main beneficiary of this scandal, but the vast majority have remained. Therefore, to express its gratitude to them, WhatsApp launched a new feature that it promised to release a long time ago - audio and video calls in the desktop application.
WhatsApp desktop version now has video calls
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Today, March 4, WhatsApp officially launched the audio and video calling feature for desktop platforms. Obviously, the developers were in a hurry to, so to speak, intercept the negative agenda and offer dissatisfied users the long-promised innovation.
This is clearly seen from the restrictions that the messenger audience faced:
Despite the fact that WhatsApp activates the function of audio and video calls forcibly, applying the necessary changes on its servers, you still should not neglect the update. In the end, it is it that lays the foundation for the work of innovation. Therefore, if you do not upgrade, you should not count on the inclusion of a new feature. And, if you have already updated, then just follow the instructions below, it will provide you with a verbal connection with the outside world.
WhatsApp will delete your account if you do not accept the new agreement
Only those who have installed the latest update can make video calls to WhatsApp on a computer. Screenshot from beebom.com
WhatsApp cannot be used without a smartphone connected to a PC
Please note that there are two buttons available in the WhatsApp desktop application interface: a camera and a handset. Pressing the first one will create a video conference, and the second one will initiate a voice call. At the same time, you can always switch from any mode to another.
To do this, click on the corresponding button in the call window. If you are in a video conference, press the handset, and if you are in an audio conference, then vice versa. If you want, you can stay in the video chat, but turn off the webcam.
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Moreover, it must be turned on all the time, because it is through it that all calls pass. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that the traffic that you spend during your video conferences will count towards your mobile tariff. If you have limited cellular data, it's best to connect to an available Wi-Fi network, or if that's not available, have an audio conversation.
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