WhatsApp Increases Group Call Limit from 4 to 8 People

WhatsApp is expanding its group calling limit from four people to eight people. This makes it easier for users to stay in touch with friends and family during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was part of a bunch of new product updates announced by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Earlier this week, the company started to roll out this feature to users of the app’s beta versions on iOS and Android. Now, this functionality will start rolling out to everyone starting next week.

Messenger Rooms will hold up to 50 people with no time limit so you can drop in and spend time with friends, family and people who share your interests. You can discover Rooms from your Facebook friends, Groups and Events at the top of News Feed. pic.twitter.com/Fmx2VPjmMX

— Facebook (@Facebook) April 24, 2020

“More than 700 million daily actives use WhatsApp and Messenger for calling. In many countries, calling has doubled since the Covid-19 outbreak began, wrote Zuckerberg. “To help you stay connected with your whole family and groups of friends, we're doubling the number of people who can participate in a group video call from 4 to 8 on WhatsApp.”

WhatsApp's head Will Cathcart revealed in a tweet that this change will start rolling out next week to users on Android and iPhone. Meaning, the next stable version update to WhatsApp will bring the upgraded participants limit to group calls on WhatsApp.

I'm very excited for this. We'll be rolling out to users on Android and iPhone next week. https://t.co/jNZCBs6EZE

— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) April 24, 2020

In his Facebook post, Zuckerberg also announced several new features of other Facebook products as well with Messenger Rooms launch being the highlight. Facebook Messenger is getting virtual rooms that will allow the users of the chat app to communicate with as many as 50 people at the same time. This announcement is being seen as an attempt by Facebook to take on Zoom that has seen massive growth over the last many weeks as people around the world work from home to adhere to social distancing guidelines amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

While Zoom was used mainly by businesses and professionals before coronavirus pandemic, it has gained millions of regular users who utilise it to connect with family and friends. Facebook is hoping to get a chunk of these users. The increased WhatsApp group call user limit is also a step in the same direction.

April 25, 2020