WhatsApp is currently rolling out a new voice chat function, directly inspired by Discord, within certain groups. A great way to chat in person without having to call everyone.
There is no shortage of new features at WhatsApp! After having made it possible to hide our IP address, introduced the use of several accounts on the same device, support for access keys (passkeys) or even improved its Chat Lock confidentiality mode, Meta’s instant messaging welcomes voice lounges. As reported Techcrunch, the company is currently rolling out to users around the world a new function called “Voice Chats” which, as its name suggests, allows you to create a voice chat, where several people can chat in person, without video. A bit like what we find on Discord or with Space de X (formerly Twitter). A highly anticipated option that was being tested in the beta version of the application since August.
WhatsApp voice chat: rooms to chat in person
The main advantage of voice chat is that it allows you to make a call without making the phones of everyone in the group ring. A simple notification is enough to inform users that a voice chat is in progress. A banner appears at the top of the screen indicating the number of participants, with a small icon in the shape of a sound wave. Pressing the latter allows you to join the chat room which is, as is customary on WhatsApp, end-to-end encrypted, so that no one other than the participants can listen to what is being said. A black banner with a wave goes over the chat to indicate that you are connected. You can, like on Discord, join the voice chat without activating the microphone and communicate in writing at the same time. If the chat room turns out to be empty, it will automatically close after an hour.
Note, however, that voice chats are only accessible to certain groups, namely those with thirty-three or more members, and only on their main devices. Additionally, up to thirty-two participants can join the voice chat. Here is how to create a voice chat on WhatsApp:
► Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
► Once on the messaging home page, open the group chat in which you want to start a voice chat.
► Press sound wave iconat the top right of the screen.
► Press Start a voice chat.