WhatsApp increases group call limit from 4 to 8 people (Update: Rolling out)

Update (29/04/2020): This feature is rolling out to everyone through updates for iOS and Android apps. 

I’m so proud of the team for sprinting to double voice and video calling. Now people can place end-to-end encrypted calls with up to 8 people across both Android and iPhone. https://t.co/3SLSvC1xr4

— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) April 28, 2020

WhatsApp announced today that it’s expanding its group calling limit from four people to eight people. This makes it easier for you to stay in touch with your friends and family during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was part of a bunch of new product updates announced by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

[Read: Elon Musk bought $45M in Tesla stock since ‘that weed joke’ — now it’s worth double]

Earlier this week, the company started to roll out this feature to users of the app’s beta versions on iOS and Android. Now, this functionality will start rolling out to everyone starting next week.

For comparison, Houseparty allows eight participants and Google Duo allows 12 participants in a group call.

However, it’s easier for more than 2 billion WhatsApp users to take advantage of this new feature to connect with friends and family during this lockdown.