WhatsApp is bringing Discord like group voice chat feature: Here’s how it works
This is different from group voice calls and audio messages. (Express photo)
Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp is getting a new feature similar to Discord’s voice channels. Dubbed ‘Voice Chat’, the feature allows group participants to engage in audio chats, but is different from existing voice calls or voice notes.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to only a few users on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.19.
For those who are wondering, Voice Chat is similar to a group call, but instead of ringing everyone in the group, it will send a silent notification. While the beta version limits the number of participants to 32, this number may change once WhatsApp officially launches the feature.
Similar to Twitter Spaces and Discord voice channels, users will be able to join or leave whenever they want. When someone starts a voice chat, the group icon in the chat list will change to a waveform icon and show a ‘Connect’ button, which will allow you to join the real-time discussion with a dedicated interface.
While the voice chat will be active for one hour after everyone leaves, group members will be able to initiate one more time whenever they want. Compared to ‘group calls‘, voice chat will not require users to add others manually. Like everything else on WhatsApp, voice chats will be end-to-end encrypted, but won’t appear as fullscreen call-style notifications.
