How To Make Group Calls On WhatsApp In 2025?

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Starting a Group Call From an Existing Chat

If you already have a group chat with the people you want to call, this is the quickest way to connect. Let’s break down two key methods here.

Adding Members to a Call Mid-Conversation

Sometimes you’re on a 1:1 call and realize you need to bring someone else in. Here’s how to do it smoothly:

Tap the add icon: When on a voice or video call, look at the top right corner for a small + icon. Tap it, then select “Add participant.” I did this last week with my project manager—we needed our designer to join, and this step took me straight to my contact list.

Select contacts: Pick the people you want to add (up to 31 more, since WhatsApp limits group calls to 32 participants, per their official help center). Tap “Add” once you’re done. The invited people get a notification to join—most join within seconds.

Manage the call: Once everyone’s on, you can mute yourself, turn off video, or remove someone if they joined by mistake. To remove someone, tap their name in the participant list and select “Remove from call.” I had to do this once when a friend accidentally joined our work call—no fuss, no disruption.

Initiating a Group Call From a Group Chat

If your group chat is already set up, this method is even easier:

Open the group chat: Go to the group you want to call. At the top right, you’ll see a phone icon (voice) and a video icon (video).

Choose participants: Tap either icon. If the group is larger than 32 people, WhatsApp will ask you to select up to 31 participants. Check the boxes for the people you want, then tap “Call.” I used this for my family’s weekly check-in—our group has 15 people, and everyone joined quickly.

Wait for joins: You’ll see who’s joined and who’s pending. If someone misses the invite, tap their name and select “Message” to send a reminder. This saved me once when my grandma forgot to answer—she joined right after getting the message.

Starting a Group Call From the Calls Tab

If you don’t have an existing group chat, you can start a group call directly from the Calls tab. This is perfect for mixing people from different contacts or groups.

Using the New Group Call Feature

WhatsApp’s new group call feature simplifies this process:

Go to the Calls tab: Open WhatsApp and tap the “Calls” tab at the bottom. Then tap the + icon at the top right and select “New group call.”

Pick contacts: Select up to 31 people from your list. I used this for a work brainstorm—selected 8 team members from different departments, and the call started instantly.

Start the call: Tap the phone icon for voice or video icon for video. To switch mid-call, just tap the video icon (if on voice) or the phone icon (if on video). This is handy when you want to show something to the group—switching to video takes one tap.

Troubleshooting Failed Group Calls

Even with the right steps, calls can fail. Here’s how to fix common issues:

Check internet connection: Group calls need stable internet. Wi-Fi is better, but mobile data works too. Last month, my friend’s call kept dropping—he switched to his home Wi-Fi and it fixed the problem.

Update WhatsApp: Outdated versions cause issues like not being able to add participants. I once had this problem—updating WhatsApp solved it in minutes.

Check participant settings: Ensure the people you’re inviting are online and have WhatsApp installed. Some users disable call permissions—ask them to enable it in their phone’s settings. A colleague once couldn’t join because he had disabled permissions—enabling it fixed it.

For those who prefer using a computer, you can access WhatsApp web via logws-whatsapp.com (note that video calls require a camera and microphone).

WhatsApp Web Common Questions

Question: Can I make group calls on WhatsApp web? Answer: Yes, you can make group calls on WhatsApp web, but there are a few key points to remember. First, your phone must be connected to the internet (since WhatsApp web syncs with your mobile device) and your computer should have a stable connection too. To start a group call, open the web app (scan the QR code with your phone), go to the group chat, and click the phone or video icon at the top right. Alternatively, click the + icon in the Calls tab and select contacts. As of 2025, WhatsApp web supports up to 32 participants, just like the mobile app. For video calls, your computer needs a working camera and microphone—enable these in your browser settings (most browsers ask for permission). If you have issues, refresh the page, update your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari work best), or check if your phone is still connected. I once had a video call fail—updating my browser fixed it. An external microphone also improves audio quality in noisy environments. Question: Why can’t I add participants to a group call on WhatsApp web? Answer: There are several reasons for this. First, check if you’ve reached the 32-participant limit—if so, you can’t add more. Second, ensure the person you’re inviting is online and has WhatsApp. Third, check your internet connection—weak or unstable connectivity can break the add feature. Try switching to a better Wi-Fi or using an Ethernet cable. Fourth, make sure your WhatsApp web (and mobile app) is updated. I once tried adding a client and it didn’t work—turns out their phone was off. Another time, my internet was spotty—switching networks fixed it. Avoid older browsers like Internet Explorer; use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari for compatibility. Question: How to switch between voice and video calls on WhatsApp web? Answer: Switching is easy. If on a voice call, click the video icon at the bottom of the screen to turn on your camera and switch to video. If on video, click the video icon again to turn off the camera and go back to voice. You need a working camera for video—if your computer doesn’t have one, the icon is grayed out. Ensure your browser has camera access (most ask for permission when you first make a video call; if you denied it, enable it in settings). I use this feature to show documents to my team—just switch to video and share my screen. If it doesn’t work, check if another app (like Zoom) is using your camera—close it and try again. Updating your browser also fixes compatibility issues.