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WhatsApp is introducing a new voice chat feature that aims to enhance the group calling experience on the messaging platform. Unlike traditional group calls that ring the devices of all participants, the new voice chat feature is designed to be less intrusive. It allows group members engaged in a conversation to multitask within the app simultaneously, similar to features available on platforms like Slack and Discord.
The rollout of voice chats on Android was announced by WhatsApp through its X (formerly Twitter) account. The feature is currently available to some users who have updated to the latest versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS from the respective app stores. Once enabled for a group, members will see an option to start a voice chat, replacing the group call button.
To initiate a voice chat, users can press the new waveform icon at the top right corner of the screen in a group chat. Members receive a push notification, and everyone in the group can see the profiles of participants, even those not part of the voice chat. Users can also perform other tasks on WhatsApp, such as texting other group members not on the call.
The feature allows users to leave and rejoin the voice chat multiple times, and the chat ends when all participants leave or if there's only one person in the chat for an hour. Initially, the voice chats feature will roll out to larger groups with more than 32 members, catering to groups with 33 to 128 participants. The feature is accessible only on a user's primary device, and linked devices are not supported.
