WhatsApp has introduced group voice chats, giving users a way to talk instantly in groups without placing a traditional call. Unlike normal group calls, this feature allows members to join or leave freely, while still being able to send messages in the group. It functions more like a live chat room than a call, offering flexibility for groups who want to coordinate or discuss without dialing everyone at once.
How to start a voice chat
To begin a voice chat, open the desired group chat and tap the Voice Chat button (waveform icon) located in the top right corner. Then tap Start Voice Chat. Once initiated, members will receive a push notification inviting them to join, but they won’t get a ringing call. Participants who enter are displayed in a banner at the bottom of the screen.
Voice chats are available only on your primary device. Group members not in the chat can still view the profiles of active participants from the chat header or the Calls tab. Notifications for messages or calls from that group can be muted in group info settings.
Voice chats automatically end if everyone leaves, or if no one joins the first or last person in the chat for 60 minutes. To leave, tap the AI Voice Mute icon (microphone with a slash).
FAQs
1. What is the difference between a WhatsApp group call and a group voice chat?
A group call rings all members, while a voice chat allows members to join or leave freely without ringing.
2. Can I start a voice chat from any device?
No. Voice chats can only be started on your primary device, not linked devices like WhatsApp Web.
3. How many people can join a voice chat?
Up to 32 participants can join, similar to WhatsApp group calls.
4. Do voice chats use more data than normal calls?
Data usage is similar to voice calls, depending on connection quality and duration.
5. How do I know when a voice chat is active in my group?
You’ll see an active chat indicator in the chat header and can tap to join instantly.
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