WhatsApp adds call scheduling and interactive features

WhatsApp is taking another step toward becoming a versatile tool not only for personal chats but also for professional collaboration. Meta announced a series of upgrades designed to make group calls more organized and engaging, with the headline feature being the ability to schedule calls in advance.

From now on, users can plan upcoming calls directly within the Calls tab. By tapping the plus button and selecting “Schedule call,” you can set a date and time, then send invitations to friends, colleagues, or other contacts. This move aims to simplify the process of coordinating meetings, especially for teams spread across different locations or time zones.

Once a call is scheduled, it’s easy to keep track of it within the same Calls tab. The platform provides a dedicated section where all upcoming meetings are listed, along with the names of attendees and direct links to join. Those who create the call link will receive a notification each time someone connects, making it easier to monitor participation. The same link can also be added to a calendar app, ensuring that the meeting appears alongside other scheduled events. When the meeting time arrives, all invited participants receive an alert prompting them to join.

These updates go beyond simple scheduling. WhatsApp is also introducing interactive features that make group calls feel more structured and inclusive. The new “raise your hand” option allows participants to signal when they’d like to speak, reducing interruptions and giving larger groups a smoother discussion flow. Emoji reactions, another fresh addition, let attendees respond or show support without breaking into the conversation. Such tools have long been standard on dedicated video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, but they’re a first for WhatsApp, which began in 2009 as a straightforward instant messaging service.

The timing of these enhancements reflects Meta’s ambition to position WhatsApp as a practical choice for remote teamwork and community discussions. As work habits continue to evolve, platforms that can merge casual communication with professional-grade tools stand to gain a competitive edge. By bringing features like scheduling, attendee tracking, and nonverbal feedback into its familiar interface, WhatsApp reduces the need for users to switch between multiple apps for different types of communication.

These new capabilities also cater to smaller organizations, freelancers, and informal groups who may not need the full range of enterprise-level conferencing software but still want more structure than a basic group call provides. The ability to schedule ahead and keep track of attendance could make WhatsApp an appealing alternative for recurring check-ins, online classes, or community events.