You can now join an ongoing WhatsApp call, here’s how

WhatsApp has now added the ability to join a group call after it has already started.

Joinable calls are now expected to act more like Zoom calls eliminating the need to answer a group call as soon as it begins.

The option to join group calls in progress is currently being rolled out by the company. Rather than having to be present when the group call begins, you are now free to come and go as you like as long as you were invited to the call.

WhatsApp has also announced that they have introduced a call information panel to enable one see who is already on the call and who has been invited but hasn’t yet joined. You can also join later from the WhatsApp calls tab if you hit “ignore.”

Here is how to go about it

Making a group video call

Making a group video call from a group chat

1. Open the WhatsApp group chat you want to video call.
2. If your group chat has nine or more participants, tap Group call.
   • If your group chat has eight or fewer participants, tap Video call. In this case, the call will immediately begin.
3. Find the contacts you want to add to the call, then tap Video call.

Making a group video call from the CALLS tab

1. Open WhatsApp, then tap the CALLS tab.
2. Tap New call > New group call.
3. Find the contacts you want to add to the call, then tap Video call.

Making a group video call from an individual chat

1. Open the WhatsApp chat with one of the contacts you want to video call.
2. Tap Video call.
3. Once the contact accepts the call, tap Open > Add participant.
4. Find another contact you want to add to the call, then tap ADD.
5. Tap Add participant if you want to add more contacts.

Joining a group video call

Joining an incoming group video call

1. You’ll receive a notification when someone invites you to join a group video call.
2. If you can’t join, tap Ignore. To open the call info screen, tap Join.
3. From the call menu, you can preview the call participants and other invitees.
4. Tap Join to join the call.
5. While on the call, tap Open to open the call info screen.
   • Tap Add participant to add more contacts to the call.
   • Tap RING to send a notification to people who’ve already been invited.

Joining a missed group video call

1. Open WhatsApp, then tap the CALLS tab.
2. If the call is ongoing, tap the call you’d like to join. This will open the call info screen.
3. From the call menu, tap Join.

Note:

• Only eight participants can be active on a call at one time.
• Make sure you and your contacts have strong internet connections when placing or receiving group video calls. The quality of the video call will depend on the contact with the weakest connection.
• During a group video call, you have the option to turn your video off by tapping Video off.
• You can’t remove a contact during a group video call. The contact would need to hang up their phone to disconnect from the call.
• While it’s possible to be in a group video call with someone you’ve blocked, you can’t add a contact that you’ve blocked to the call or a contact that has blocked you.

Video calling is only available on Android phones running 4.1 or newer.