WhatsApp Drops Live Voice Chat for Groups, Like Discord, But Quieter

On May 22, WhatsApp launched a new feature that lets users start live voice chats in group conversations, no ringing involved. This change mirrors how Discord handles voice channels, giving users a way to talk in real time without pinging everyone’s phone.

Once a group reaches 33 members, the voice chat option appears automatically. Tapping it starts a live session, and others can join whenever they want. WhatsApp doesn’t call every member; instead, it quietly notifies them with a banner. Smaller groups can also use it, but Meta hasn’t confirmed when that will roll out.

Also read: Meta’s Ad Tech Drives $550B in U.S. Economic Activity, Supports 3.4M Jobs

WhatsApp’s Voice chats run separately from group calls. You can keep using the app, send messages, or browse without dropping the voice chat. A new waveform icon at the top of the group chat shows when one is active.

The feature began rolling out globally this week and should reach all users in the next few days. It works on both Android and iOS, with end-to-end encryption as usual.

This move gives WhatsApp users a casual, no-pressure way to talk — a smart shift for group chats that feel too crowded for traditional calls.