Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sam Ormiston

Millions of WhatsApp users alerted over update that changes phone calls forever

Millions of WhatsApp users have been alerted to an update that is set to change phone calls forever.

Voice calls have been available on the app for years, and the feature can be handy especially when you have access to WiFi - but no phone signal.

Now, the voice call feature is being tweaked slightly as the company tests a new update.

The new feature would let people create links to join a call, similar to setting up meetings on Zoom, or Google Meet - as many Brits working from home became accustomed to during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the new update, users can schedule future calls, rather than having to set it up in the moment.

The change was spotted by technology investigators at WABetaInfo who found evidence of it in the beta trial version of WhatsApp.

The new feature could change phone calls forever (WhatsApp)

The website reports: "If you want to check if you have this feature enabled for your account, just check the calls tab. If you see a new option called 'create call link': if this option shows up, it means you can already start creating a shareable link for calls."

Similar to FaceTime, Zoom, and Google Meet, you can choose whether you want the call to allow video as well as audio.

It will automatically convert to a group call when more than two people join, meaning you will be able to have conference call meetings on WhatsApp.

If the new update is available to you, users are being urged to only share links with people you trust to keep your device secure.

The new feature could see WhatsaApp rival Zoom and Google Meet (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The feature is currently only available in beta right now, but experts said it will eventually roll out to the general release version of the app at an unknown date in the future.

WhatsApp was founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo!

It was initially not intended to be used as a messaging app.

In January 2009, the pair were keen to jump into the multi-million-pound world of the Apple App Store.

Koum came up with an idea for an app to provide dynamic information about the people listed in your address book, and later WhatsApp was born.

Have you got a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.