WhatsApp brings Joinable Calls feature, rolling out now

WhatsApp has announced a new feature called Joinable calls that reduces the concerns of answering a group call as it begins, and brings more simplicity to the users while conducting a group call on WhatsApp.

With Joinable calls, you can see the call info screen, which shows who’s already on the call and who has been invited but yet to join. If you press to ignore, you can also join the call later on.

The joinable calls feature is rolling out for the WhatsApp users and may gradually reach every WhatsApp user.

How to join 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.
6. Tap Add participant to add more contacts to the call.
7. Tap RING to send a notification to people who’ve already been invited.

Join 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.

Important Notes:

1. Only eight participants can be active on a call at one time.
2. 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.
3. During a group video call, you have the option to turn your video off by tapping Video off.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Video calling is only available on Android phones running 4.1 or newer.