WhatsApp rolls out “group audio, video call” feature – Check out step by step guide

Hyderabad: The most awaited group video and voice call features on WhatsApp updated on Android. However, the features are currently available for WhatsApp beta only, with a stable roll out for the public expected soon.

You can access group video call feature for testing this beta version. You will have to update app to version 2.18.189, while group voice call is available for v2.18.192. Those interested in becoming a beta tester for WhatsApp can do so from the Google Play Store. In addition, Windows phone users will also get group voice and video calls options, according to WABetaInfo.

Step by step guide for beginners:

1. Go to Google Play Store.

2. Update app to version 2.18.189 (For Video).

3. Start a Video Call with any one contact.

4. On the top right of the call screen, you will see a ‘Add participant’ icon.

5. Click ‘Add participant’ icon to select another friend

6. The video calling interface allows you to add only one person at a time.

7. After all the participants have accepted the invitation, the screen will split into four screens with each member featuring in each box.

8. On Android, non-Beta users can also be added in the four-person group call.

9.  People can be added only by the caller/host who starts the call.

10. A maximum of four people can be added in a group call in this Beta version.

The features are expected to reach all Windows phone users in the coming days.

WhatsApp already supports voice and video calls in the app, which is a popular feature on the free messaging app, especially in the Indian market. The addition of group video calls will likely make it more appealing to users and strengthen the use cases of the app. In the past, there have been leaks about the group video call feature on WhatsApp, but the company has now confirmed it officially.

At the F8 conference, it was also revealed that WhatsApp Status, which is a clone of Instagram and Snapchat Stories, has 450 million daily active users. When it comes to the video and audio call feature, users are spending around 2 billion minutes every day on the feature. This also explains why WhatsApp is rolling out group calls on video. WhatsApp already has a feature which lets users switch voice to video calls and vice-versa.

According to a IE report, the WhatsApp group voice and video calls currently support a total of four participants, including the person who started the call. One can add up to three friends on a group video or audio call.

Siasat Web Team