How do you schedule a call on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp adds scheduled calls, attendee management, raise hand, in-call reactions, and smarter call-link notifications — making group voice and video calls easier to plan and join. Open the Calls tab, tap the + button, select Schedule call, then invite contacts or groups and set the time.
Last updated: 6 July 2026
August 14, 2025 — WhatsApp rolled out calling upgrades aimed at making group calls easier to plan and more interactive, according to the official WhatsApp Blog.
Too long? Start here
- Schedule calls: Calls tab → + → Schedule call → pick time and participants
- Raise hand + reactions on group calls — less talking over each other
- Call link notifications when someone joins your shared link
- E2E encryption unchanged on personal calls
- Business voice = separate Business Calling API — business calling guide
- Messaging integration: WhatsApp API integration guide
Schedule calls in advance
The headline addition is scheduled calling. Instead of starting a group call on the spot, you can plan ahead and invite people or entire groups before the call begins.
How to schedule a call:
- Open the Calls tab in WhatsApp
- Tap the + button
- Select Schedule call
- Choose participants or groups and set the time
All upcoming calls appear in the Calls tab, where you can:
- See a list of attendees for each scheduled call
- Access call links to add the event to your personal calendar
- Share links with others who should join
- Receive a notification when the call is about to begin — every participant gets one
This closes a long-standing gap versus calendar-first tools: WhatsApp calls no longer have to be spontaneous to work well for families, study groups, or distributed teams using personal accounts.
Raise hand and in-call reactions
Large group calls often suffer from people talking over each other. WhatsApp added two participation tools:
- Raise hand — signal that you would like to speak without interrupting the current speaker
- Reactions — send a quick emoji response to take part silently during the call
These mirror patterns users already know from workplace video apps, but live inside WhatsApp's native calling experience — no third-party meeting link required for personal and small-group use.
Smarter call link notifications
WhatsApp also upgraded call links. If you create a call link, you now receive a notification when someone joins through that link. That helps hosts know when guests have arrived — useful for webinars-style catch-ups, remote family events, or informal team huddles run over personal WhatsApp.
Encryption unchanged
WhatsApp confirms that personal calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption — the same privacy guarantee as one-to-one voice and video calls. Scheduling, attendee lists, and in-call reactions do not change the encryption model for call content.
Personal calling vs WhatsApp Business Calling API
These features target consumer WhatsApp — families, friend groups, and informal team coordination on personal accounts. They are separate from WhatsApp Business Calling API, which lets verified brands place and receive voice calls inside customer chat threads through the Cloud API.
| Feature area | Personal WhatsApp (Aug 2025 update) | WhatsApp Business API |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule group calls | Yes — Calls tab → Schedule call | Not part of this announcement |
| Raise hand / reactions | Yes — on group calls | Business voice via API (different stack) |
| Call links | Yes — with join notifications for creators | Business-initiated calls need consent + API setup |
| Best for | Families, friends, informal groups | Support, sales, regulated outbound calling |
Businesses that need programmatic voice inside customer conversations should use the Business Calling API through a BSP like Ominiflow, not personal scheduled-call links.
Who benefits most?
- Families — plan weekly video catch-ups across time zones with calendar-friendly call links
- Students & study groups — schedule revision sessions and use raise hand in larger calls
- Small teams on personal WhatsApp — informal stand-ups without switching to Zoom or Meet
- Community organisers — share call links and get alerted when members join
FAQ
How do I schedule a WhatsApp call? expand_more
Go to the Calls tab, tap +, then choose Schedule call. Pick contacts or groups, set the time, and manage upcoming calls from the same tab.
Do all participants get a reminder before a scheduled call? expand_more
Yes. WhatsApp says every participant receives a notification when the call is about to begin.
Can I add a scheduled WhatsApp call to Google Calendar or Apple Calendar? expand_more
You can use the call link from the Calls tab to add the event to your personal calendar or share it with others.
Are scheduled WhatsApp calls encrypted? expand_more
WhatsApp states personal calls continue to use end-to-end encryption.
Is this available for WhatsApp Business API users? expand_more
This update is for the consumer WhatsApp app. Business voice calling follows the separate Business Calling API — see our business calling guide.
Bottom line
WhatsApp calling is moving from spontaneous only to planned and participatory: schedule ahead, manage attendees, raise your hand, react in real time, and know when call-link guests arrive. For consumer users, that is a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade. For brands, the business path remains the WhatsApp Business Calling API — layered on messaging, chatbots, and CRM workflows.
Read our WhatsApp Business Calling guide · Book an Ominiflow demo
Source: WhatsApp Blog (August 14, 2025). Updated July 2026.
