Guide to Using Messenger Rooms on WhatsApp for Android, iPhone and WhatsApp Web

Facebook is trying to integrate all its main apps – Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to ensure seamless connectivity. The journey started in 2019 and we see more of the results in 2020. In early 2020, Facebook announced Messenger Rooms for Facebook and Messenger with promises that they would soon reach WhatsApp and Instagram. And the promised days have come. So, don’t worry if you suddenly see a Rooms icon on WhatsApp. We will guide you on what a room is in WhatsApp and how to use Messenger Rooms in WhatsApp.

WhatsApp rooms are available on Android, iPhone and even WhatsApp Web. Interestingly, WhatsApp Web does not support regular video calls on the web. So rooms will provide a great alternative to video chatting on WhatsApp on desktop.

Let’s dive deep into the world of WhatsApp rooms and see how to use rooms in WhatsApp for Android, iOS and desktop.

Note: WhatsApp refers to rooms as Messenger rooms. Therefore, throughout the post we will be using terms such as WhatsApp rooms, WhatsApp Messenger rooms, rooms on WhatsApp, and Messenger rooms on WhatsApp.

What Are WhatsApp Rooms?

Room is not a feature of WhatsApp. It comes from Facebook Messenger, so it’s called Messenger Rooms. You’ll only see the rooms shortcut in WhatsApp. In other words, all the features you receive in Facebook Messenger rooms are available to WhatsApp users.

Messenger rooms on WhatsApp are video calls on steroids. In a normal WhatsApp video call, when you call someone, they have to answer the phone for the two of you (or more) to connect. On the contrary, when you create a room in WhatsApp, a link is created that you can share with others. The recipient has to click the link and they will be able to join the room – no need to call or wait for them to answer. Recipients of the link can join the room at any time as long as the room is unlocked.

As mentioned in our article on how to use Messenger rooms, WhatsApp rooms are pop-up video chats that anyone with a link to a room can enter at any time. Imagine Messenger rooms as virtual rooms where a connection acts as a door and anyone can enter via the connection. Turn off camera in rooms, mute yourself, screen share, leave room and delete etc. You get most of the video calling features like Rooms are different from WhatsApp groups. For example, you cannot send text messages in WhatsApp rooms. You can only make audio or video calls.

Let’s take a simple example to understand rooms in WhatsApp. Let’s say you have a WhatsApp group with your cousins. When you make a WhatsApp video call, anyone who wants to join must answer when you call. If someone misses the call, you have to call them again. This is inefficient because you don’t know when the other person will be available. You can use WhatsApp rooms to avoid drama. Just share the link of a Messenger room in the WhatsApp group and anyone who wants to join the video call has to tap the link. It doesn’t matter if the call has just started or is about to end, people can join whenever they want.

Note: Video chats in Messenger Rooms on WhatsApp are not end-to-end encrypted.

Who Can Create and Join WhatsApp Rooms?

Any WhatsApp user can create a room as long as they have a Facebook account. Yes, a Facebook account is absolutely necessary to create a Messenger room on WhatsApp. You will also need the Facebook Messenger app or the web version of Facebook Messenger to create a room. You can create a room from WhatsApp on Android, iPhone and even the web. Any group member can create WhatsApp rooms. Room creator can control the privacy of the room, remove people, lock rooms, etc. has certain privileges, such as You can create multiple rooms at the same time. However, you can only join one room at a time.

Note: Rooms can also be created from Facebook News Feed, Facebook groups, events, and Messenger apps and the website.

When it comes to joining rooms on WhatsApp, an interesting feature comes to mind. One does not need a Facebook account or even WhatsApp to join a room. It is sufficient that the recipients of the connection have a working internet connection and a web browser. It’s that simple. You will only be asked for their names when joining a room.

note: Currently, the maximum user limit that can join a WhatsApp Messenger room is 50.

Let’s say you create a room in a WhatsApp group with your cousins. You can link the same room with another WhatsApp group, with your friends on Facebook or Messenger, with groups on Telegram, etc. you can share. So anyone who has a link to the room or doesn’t have a Facebook account can join it. There are no barriers to joining rooms.

How to Create a WhatsApp Room

As mentioned above, you can create WhatsApp rooms from Android, iPhone, desktop apps, and the web. Let’s check the steps for them.

How to Create a WhatsApp Room on Android and iPhone

Stage 1: Launch WhatsApp on your phone.

Step 2: There are two methods of creating rooms on Android and iPhone. In the first method, open the individual chat thread. Tap the attachment icon on Android. Choose Room.

Alternatively, go to the Calls tab on the main screen of WhatsApp. In Android case, tap the floating rooms icon at the bottom.

Tap the plus icon inside a chat on iPhone. Choose Room.

Alternatively, open the Calls tab. Tap on Create a room.

Note: You can also create a room from WhatsApp groups if the group has five or more participants. To do this, tap the Group call icon at the top and then tap Create room.

Stage 3: A popup will appear asking you to go to Facebook Messenger. Tap Continue in Messenger.

Step 4: If you have Facebook Messenger app installed on your phone, it will open. Alternatively, the Messenger website will open in your phone’s default browser. Sign in with your Facebook account.

The room creation screen will open. Tap on Room activity to change the purpose or name of the room. Then tap the Create room as button.

Step 5: A Messenger room will be created. Tap the Send on WhatsApp link to copy the link to WhatsApp.

Pro Tip: Tap End Room to permanently delete the room.

Step 6: If the room was created via a chat thread on WhatsApp, the link is automatically pasted into the write box. For rooms created via the call screen, you will be asked to select the people you want to share the link with. Press send to share the link. Alternatively, copy the link and share it with other WhatsApp chats or outside of WhatsApp.

How to Create a Room on WhatsApp Web

Here are the steps to create a WhatsApp room on web and desktop:

Stage 1: Open web.whatsapp.com or launch WhatsApp desktop app and scan the QR code.

Pro Tip: Learn how to use QR code in WhatsApp to add contacts.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select Create room.

Alternatively, open a chat and click the attachment icon. Select the room icon from the available options.

Stage 3: A popup will appear on Facebook Messenger asking to continue. Click Continue in Messenger.

Step 4: The Facebook Messenger website will open. Sign in with your Facebook account. Click Create Different Room.

Step 5: Grant necessary permissions for microphone and camera. You will be taken to the room screen. Copy the link and share it with others via WhatsApp or other apps/websites.

How to Join WhatsApp Room

When you receive a link to join a WhatsApp room, simply click on it. You can join using your Facebook account or from your web browser without an account/app.

How to Use WhatsApp Rooms

When you create a WhatsApp room or click the room link in WhatsApp, all the features and settings of the Messenger rooms will be available. Check out our post covering the basics of Messenger rooms and various tips and tricks for it. You’ll learn how to lock a room, what it means to lock a room, how to share the screen, how to remove participants, how to end a room, and more.

Things to Remember When Using WhatsApp Rooms

• A Facebook account is required to create a WhatsApp room, but not to join a room
• Access to the Facebook Messenger app or website is required to create a room.
• Share the link of your room only with trusted people so that they can share it with more people who can join the room.
• If the creator of the room is not in the room, the first participant will receive a call when they join the room.

Should I Use WhatsApp Rooms?

Messenger rooms on WhatsApp provide a great way to connect with people via video calls, especially tech challengers. People just need to click the room link to get started. But it also has a downside. Your room link can be shared by other people with more users. So anyone can crash. To avoid this, you must lock your room. What do you think about WhatsApp rooms? Share it with us in the comments below.

Next: Rooms in WhatsApp offer an alternative to apps like Google Meet. Find out how Google Meet differs from Messenger rooms on WhatsApp.