WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to stay connected with friends and family easily. One of the best features of WhatsApp is the ability to make video calls with up to 8 people at once. Group video calling makes it easy to stay in touch with multiple people at the same time for things like family catch-ups, team meetings, or just hanging out with friends.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to start a group video call on WhatsApp step-by-step.
Requirements for Group Video Calls
Before you can start a group video call, there are a few requirements:
- All participants need to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on their phone
- All participants need to have an active internet connection
- For groups with 4 or less people, all participants need to be using the latest iOS, Android, or desktop version of WhatsApp. For up to 8 participants, all must be on the latest iOS or Android app.
As long as everyone meets these requirements, you can include up to 8 total participants in your WhatsApp group video call!
Step 1: Start a New Call
To start a new call:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone
- Select the “Calls” tab at the bottom of the screen
- Tap the phone icon in the top right to start a new call
This will open your phone’s dialer with WhatsApp as the calling service. Now it’s time to add participants.
Step 2: Add Participants
You have two options for adding participants to your group video call:
Option 1: Add from Your Contacts
- After opening the dialer, tap the “Add participant” icon in the top right (it looks like a person with a plus sign)
- This will open up your contacts – select the contacts you want to add to the call
- Tap the video camera icon for each contact to make it a video call
- Once you’ve added all participants, tap the phone icon to start the call
Option 2: Create WhatsApp Group First
- Open the Chats tab in WhatsApp
- Tap the “New group” icon in the top right
- Add participants by tapping their names
- Once your group is created, open it and tap the video camera icon at the top to start a group video call
The second option is great if you’ll be making frequent group calls with the same people. By creating a dedicated WhatsApp group first, you can easily start a group video call anytime without having to select each participant each time.
Step 3: Manage Your Group Call
Once you’re on the call, there are a few key things you can do:
- Add more people – Tap “Add participant” to add more contacts even after you’ve started the call
- Mute yourself – Tap the mic icon to mute/unmute your audio
- Turn off camera – Tap the video camera icon to turn your camera on or off
- Switch screens – Swipe the video screens left/right to switch between different participants’ cameras
- End call – Tap the red phone icon to hang up and end the call
Some other tips for your group video call:
- Make sure everyone is in a quiet area to limit background noise
- Have participants use headphones for better sound quality
- Speak clearly and pause between speakers to avoid people talking over each other
Group Call Limits
WhatsApp does limit how many users can join a group video call:
| Platform | Number of Participants |
|---|---|
| Android/iOS app | Up to 8 participants |
| WhatsApp Web | Up to 4 participants |
| WhatsApp Desktop | Up to 4 participants |
So if you want to have more than 4 people on the call, everyone will need to use the mobile app on Android or iOS. But for smaller groups, feel free to use WhatsApp Web or Desktop as well.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble getting your group video call started, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure all participants have the latest WhatsApp version installed
- Confirm everyone has a stable internet connection (WiFi or mobile data)
- Ask participants to restart their phones if the call won’t connect
- Double check that everyone is using Android/iOS if you have more than 4 participants
- Try creating a WhatsApp group first, then initiating the call from the group
Following these tips should help identify and resolve any issues getting your group call started.
Conclusion
Group video calls are a fun and easy way to connect multiple people on WhatsApp. With just a few taps, you can start a group video chat with up to 8 participants.
To recap the process:
- Open the Calls tab in WhatsApp and start a new call
- Add participants either individually or from a WhatsApp group
- Manage your call using the in-app controls
- Troubleshoot issues with connectivity or participants
Group calling is a great feature on WhatsApp for connecting with family, friends, colleagues, and more. Be sure to take advantage of it for your next group catch-up or team meeting!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can join a WhatsApp group video call?
WhatsApp allows up to 8 participants on a group video call when using the mobile app on Android or iOS. On WhatsApp Web or Desktop, only 4 participants can join.
Does it cost anything to make WhatsApp video calls?
WhatsApp video calls are completely free to use, as long as you have an internet connection! The calls use your existing data plan or WiFi network.
Can I mute participants in a group video call?
Unfortunately there is no way to mute other participants in a WhatsApp group call. Each user can only mute or unmute their own microphone.
How do I start a group video call from WhatsApp Web?
On WhatsApp Web, click the video camera icon in any chat window to start a video call. You can add up to 3 additional participants this way for a 4-person group call.
Why can’t some participants join my group video call?
If some participants can’t join, first make sure everyone has the latest WhatsApp version. For calls with 5 or more people, confirm everyone is using the mobile app and not WhatsApp Web/Desktop. Connectivity issues may also prevent them from joining.
Further Reading
If you found this guide helpful, you may want to learn more about how to use WhatsApp: