WhatsApp now lets you start group voice chats that are ‘less disruptive’ than group calls – here’s how to try it

Whether you’re sharing some big family news or during an exciting football match, there are often moments when you just need to talk about it in a WhatsApp group chat.

And if a conference call seems like overkill, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s a new option available called Voice Conversations.

While group calls ring for each group member, voice chats start with a bubble within the chat, which users can join when they’re free.

What’s more, call controls remain at the top of the chat, meaning you can quickly unmute, hang up, or send a message to the group — without having to leave the conversation.

Here’s everything you need to know about group voice chats, including how and when you can try them out for yourself.

Whether you’re sharing some big family news or during an exciting football match, there are often moments when you just need to talk about it in a WhatsApp group chat. And if a conference call seems like overkill, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a new option available called Voice Chats.

Voice chats were quietly announced by WhatsApp today.

“Voice chats allow you to instantly talk live with group chat members while still being able to send messages in the group,” it explains in its Help Center.

To start a voice chat, open the group chat you want to talk to.

Tap the blue icon in the upper right corner of the screen, then tap Start Voice Chat.

Once you start a voice chat, other members of the group will receive a notification to join, instead of calling.

You can see who has joined the voice chat in the banner at the top of the screen.

To leave a voice conversation, simply tap the red X.

The voice chat will automatically end once everyone leaves the chat, or if no one joins the first or last person in the chat for 60 minutes.

“As always, WhatsApp protects your voice conversations along with your personal calls and messages with end-to-end encryption by default,” WhatsApp explained.

The new feature will roll out globally to groups over the coming weeks, starting with those of 33 or more people

The new feature will roll out globally to groups over the coming weeks, starting with those of 33 or more people.

The launch of voice chats comes shortly after a report by WABetaInfo indicating that WhatsApp is working on the ability to send self-destructing voice notes.

These voice notes can only be played once, and cannot be exported, forwarded, or saved.

“This mode effectively reduces the chances of unauthorized access or later listening, providing a new layer of privacy for sensitive and confidential information,” WABetaInfo explained.