WhatsApp already allows calls and video calls for up to eight people in the beta for Android and iOS
That same week, WaBetaInfo announced that WhatsApp was going to increase the participant limit for the calls and video calls, currently four people. There were hints in the beta that the feature was about to roll out, and it is indeed. As reported by the blog specializing in WhatsApp, in beta versions 2.20.50.25 of WhatsApp for iOS (accessible from TestFlight) and 2.20.133 of WhatsApp for Android this feature is now available.
The new limit is eight people, double the current limit. For those of you who are beta users, to say that testing this new feature will be a bit tricky, whereas all video call participants must use the latest beta version. Also, both betas have long been complete, so no more users are supported, although those using Android can try installing the latest beta’s APK.
More people on calls
According to WaBetaInfo, during the last betas, WhatsApp tested a new interface for the new limit. It’s clear in the changelog of the beta version for iOS, which specifies that one of the functions to be tested is to “make calls”, probably to test the app when up to eight people join the same call or video call.
In the hypothetical case where users have up to seven contacts using the latest beta for Android or iOS, group video calls can be started in two ways:
- In group chats, by tapping the call icon and selecting those beta users.
- In the calls tab, click on “New group call” and select beta users.
On the other hand, WaBetaInfo indicates that it is possible that, despite the latest beta version, the function is not available. If so, from the blog they recommend making a backup of the chats and reinstalling the beta version, because in this way WhatsApp downloads the latest configurations from the server, “thereby activating the function”, explains WaBetaInfo. If that doesn’t work, we will have to wait for WhatsApp to roll out the feature to all users.
Finally, it should be noted that WhatsApp video calls are end-to-end encrypted, so no one, not even WhatsApp itself, can “see” our conversations. As we said, the new limit is eight people, two people more than on Instagram and the same as HouseParty, although a figure significantly lower than other alternatives such as Facebook Messenger (50 people), Zoom (up to 100 people), Skype (50 people) or Hangouts (10 people).
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