New button in WhatsApp groups: This is hidden behind the wave and then it appears

• A new button will now appear in WhatsApp groups with more than 32 people. It is marked with a wave symbol.
• If you press it, you start a voice chat with the entire group. This is different from a telephone call.
• The WhatsApp community’s reactions to the function are divided.

The messenger WhatsApp improves group chats with its latest update. These get a voice chat function that you can start using a button with a wave symbol. The function was already launched in mid-November WhatsApp on X (formerly Twitter) announced. Now it is available on the first devices, as Netzwelt has discovered. You can see the button in the head of the group to the right of the group name, where the telephone receiver and camera would otherwise be displayed.

You can simply tap the wave icon to start a voice chat. As soon as the symbol is tapped, a strip appears above the group name in which you can see how many group members are participating in the voice chat. You can also send a message using the microphone or leave the conversation using the “X”.

Start voice chat

The special thing about this function is its flexibility. Any participant in the group chat can join the conversation at any time and take part in the discussion. This convenience is supported by an automatic end time. If the voice chat remains empty, it will automatically end after 60 minutes. But don’t worry, you can start a new voice chat at any time.

However, the button is not displayed in every group. Voice chats are designed for larger groups, which usually include more than 32 participants, reports the fan blog WABetaInfo. In our case it was displayed in a group of 52 people. However, he was missing in groups of less than 32 participants. Group calls and video conferences are still possible here.

Push message instead of telephone ringing

One of the main benefits of this new feature is the ability to have voice chats without everyone in the group’s phone ringing. Instead, you will receive a push notification when a voice chat is started in your group. Additionally, a small thumbnail image is displayed on the group icon, indicating an ongoing voice chat in the chat.

All voice chats are protected by end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only the voice chat participants have access to its content. This is intended to provide users with a secure platform for confidential discussions and interactions.

Many fans are annoyed by the new feature

Reactions to the new feature in the community are rather mixed. Many people are annoyed because the button is currently often pressed by several people in larger groups out of curiosity or accidentally. There is also criticism that you will also be notified via voice chat if you have muted a group.

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