WhatsApp group video calls allow users to video chat with up to 8 people at once. This makes it easy to stay connected with family, friends, co-workers, and others through high-quality video calls.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion users. In 2018, WhatsApp introduced group video calling, allowing users to video chat with multiple people at once. This feature has become incredibly popular, as it enables people to visually connect in groups for work, socializing, and just staying in touch.
One common question people have is what the maximum number of participants allowed on a WhatsApp group video call is. This is an important detail to understand, as it dictates how many people you can have on a group video chat. Below we’ll explain the participant limit and provide more details about how WhatsApp group video calling works.
WhatsApp Group Video Call Participant Limit
WhatsApp currently allows up to 8 participants on a group video call. This means you can have a video conversation with up to 8 people at one time. The call initiator counts as one participant, so they can add up to 7 additional people to the call.
The 8 participant limit has been in place since WhatsApp first introduced video calling in 2018. At launch, they allowed just 4 participants but quickly expanded this to 8 participants within a few months based on user feedback and demand. 8 participants has remained the limit since then.
8 participants offers flexibility for different types of group video chats. For example, it enables small families to video call with grandparents, allows small teams to meet face-to-face virtually, and makes it easy to video chat with a group of friends.
While 8 people may not seem like a huge number, it’s optimized to reduce call latency while allowing fairly large groups. More participants could lead to lag, glitches, and quality issues. So 8 participants hits a sweet spot between group size and optimal video/audio quality.
Requirements for WhatsApp Group Video Calls
To start or join a WhatsApp group video call, there are a few requirements:
- All participants must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed
- All participants must have an active internet connection
- For optimal connectivity, all participants should have a strong WIFI or 4G/5G cellular connection
- All users must have an account and be contacts with the call initiator
As long as those requirements are met, up to 8 participants can join a WhatsApp group video call. The call initiator can add participants by selecting them from their WhatsApp contacts.
Starting a WhatsApp Group Video Call
Starting a group video call on WhatsApp only takes a few taps:
- Open the WhatsApp app and go to the Calls tab
- Tap the Video Call icon in the top right
- Select up to 7 participants from your WhatsApp contacts to add to the call
- Tap the Video Call button to start the call
Once a call begins, all participants will receive an alert to join. As people join, you’ll see their video windows populate.
During the Group Call
During a WhatsApp group video call, there are a few key features to take advantage of:
- Mute/unmute – You can mute or unmute your mic at any time
- Video on/off – You can turn your video on or off whenever needed
- Volume – Adjust the volume using your device’s volume buttons
- Switch screens – Swipe the screen to switch between main speaker view and grid view
- Backgrounds – Long press your own video to access video backgrounds
Using these tools, you can control your mic, camera, and view during the group call. WhatsApp will optimize the main view based on who is speaking to make video calls intuitive.
Group Call Features
WhatsApp offers some great features that enhance group video calls:
- High quality video – Video calls use your device’s camera, but are encoded to smoothly transmit over the internet
- Record calls – You can record any WhatsApp video call and send the file to call participants
- Call participants late – People can still join a call after it has started by being re-invited
- Join missed call – If you miss a call, you can join whenever it’s still in progress
These features allow flexible, high-quality group video calls on WhatsApp.
Group Video Call Limitations
While WhatsApp group video calling is very versatile, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- 8 participants maximum
- All users must have your number and you must have theirs
- Quality depends on each user’s internet connection
- No conference calling – all participants must join one call
- Can’t stream a call publicly or on social media
So while excellent for personal use, WhatsApp group video calls are not designed as a webinar or conference call solution. But for most individuals and small groups, the 8 person limit provides ample flexibility.
Using WhatsApp Web for Group Video Calls
WhatsApp isn’t just for mobile – you can use WhatsApp Web for messaging and video calls on your computer’s desktop browser.
To join a group video call on WhatsApp Web:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com in Chrome or Edge
- Scan the QR code with your WhatsApp mobile app when prompted
- Once connected, you can join a group video call just like on mobile!
WhatsApp Web can make group video calls more comfortable on a large screen. You still get all the same features as the mobile experience.
Conclusion
WhatsApp now allows up to 8 participants on group video calls. This strikes a great balance for small family chats, team meetings, and groups of friends. Just make sure all participants have the WhatsApp app set up and a strong internet connection.
Group video calling has become an essential way for people to connect face-to-face even when physically apart. With its 8 participant limit, WhatsApp provides a simple yet powerful group video chat solution for millions of users worldwide.