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During the entire confinement we have had problems with some video call services, which did not allow more than four people. WhatsApp soon found out that to compete with Zoom (whose capacity is 100 people for each video call) it had to increase the number of members who could chat at the same time. It soon went to eight.
Now the time has come for massive video calls. Since last Friday, WhatsApp and Facebook (its owner) have launched Messenger Rooms, a system for making video calls that supports up to 50 people at the same time.It has done so through a room system, which can be activated from each user's own WhatsApp.
The Room can be accessed by anyone who has the invitation link, regardless of whether are not registered on Facebook or Messenger. But how is this new functionality activated? We will tell you step by step, below.
How to create a new WhatsApp Room
First of all, it is possible that if you have not updated your WhatsApp with the latest version of the application, this new option will not appear. What we recommend, in any case, is to access the Google Play Store to obtain the latest version. In this way, surely you already have it available.
1. Access the chat of the contact or group you want to chat with via video call.
2. Once inside, click on the Attach icon (the clip you have inside your conversation balloon).
3. You will see that a new icon now appears called Room. This is where you have to press. If this is your first time turning it on, a tutorial with instructions may start. Just read them.
4. You will then be prompted to: "Go to Messenger to create a room". Click on the Go to Messenger option (since the WhatsApp Room functionality) is linked to this Facebook service.
5. You will have to accept Create Room as… (the name that corresponds). This room will be able to enter, to speak, all the people who have the link and also share it with others. They will be able to use it, in fact, even if they don't have Facebook or Messenger. At this point you should keep in mind that anyone who has been invited via a link can enter.Thus, third parties may see your name and profile picture.
Once the WhatsApp Room has been created…
First of all, you should know that you can end it at any time (through a button at the top, called End room, in red). In order for others to enter, you must be inside Otherwise, you won't be able to. If you are not there, you will receive a call from Messenger when someone wants to do it. And if this bothers you too much, don't worry. You will be able to finish the room permanently, as we have indicated.
Click on the Send link by WhatsApp button (in blue). Immediately afterwards, the link (along with an invitation text) will be sent to the chat of the person or people in the group you have chosen. To access your room, all they have to do is click on the link and that's it, choosing whether they want to access it using Messenger (if they have it installed or plan to do so) or Chrome ( so you don't need to use any additional application).
Enter by pressing the button Enter as… (your name). Now you just have to wait for your friends to enter. Remember that if you are not inside, they will not be able to access.
