From raising hands to scheduling calls, WhatsApp has dropped new features

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WhatsApp has announced a suite of new features aimed at improving how users connect via group calls, making them easier to schedule, more interactive, and technically more reliable.

Whether you’re organising a family catch-up or a work meeting, WhatsApp now allows users to schedule calls directly from the app. By tapping the ‘+’ button in the Calls tab and selecting ‘Schedule call’, users can set up a group call in advance and invite participants seamlessly, a WhatsApp blog conveyed.

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All scheduled calls appear in the Calls tab with a full attendee list and shareable call links. These links can be added to personal calendars or shared externally. To make sure no one misses a meeting, WhatsApp sends a notification to all invitees when the call is about to begin.

Interactive features: Raise hand and react

To improve group call etiquette, WhatsApp has introduced new tools to reduce interruptions. Users can now raise their hand to indicate they’d like to speak, a feature particularly useful during large calls or team meetings.

Additionally, users can send emoji reactions in real-time to engage without breaking the flow of conversation.

In a related upgrade, Call link creators will now receive a notification when someone joins via a link, offering better awareness and control during planned sessions.

Enhanced call experience

These updates follow earlier improvements rolled out in April 2025, including a dedicated Calls tab to initiate new calls, manage call history, and access or share call links from a single location.

iPhone users can now also pinch to zoom during video calls for a closer view of themselves or others. Meanwhile, a new feature allows users to add someone to an ongoing 1:1 call directly from the chat thread by tapping the call icon and selecting ‘Add to call’.

To top it off, WhatsApp has optimised video call quality, with a smarter routing system and faster bandwidth detection that upgrades streams to HD more quickly, reducing dropped calls and video freezes.