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

Facebook has tried to integrate all of its major apps – Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, to achieve seamless connectivity. The journey started in 2019, and we’re seeing more results in 2020. At the start of 2020, Facebook announced Messenger Rooms for Facebook and Messenger with the promise that they’ll be coming to WhatsApp and Instagram soon. And the promised days are here. So if you suddenly see a rooms icon in WhatsApp, don’t worry. We are going to guide you on what a room is in WhatsApp and how to use messaging rooms on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp rooms are available on Android, iPhone and even WhatsApp Web. Interestingly, WhatsApp Web does not support regular web video calls. The rooms will therefore offer a great alternative to video chats on WhatsApp on the desktop.

Let’s dive 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 messaging rooms. We will therefore use terms such as WhatsApp rooms, WhatsApp message rooms, rooms in WhatsApp, and message rooms in WhatsApp throughout the post.

What are WhatsApp rooms

Well the room is not a feature of WhatsApp. It comes from Facebook Messenger, which is why it goes by the name Messenger Rooms. You just see the rooms shortcut in WhatsApp. So, all the features you get in rooms on Facebook Messenger are available to WhatsApp users.

Messaging rooms on WhatsApp are video calls on steroids. With a normal WhatsApp video call, when you call someone, they have to answer the phone for both of you (or more) to be connected. On the contrary, when you create a room in WhatsApp, a link is generated which you can share with others. The recipient must click the link, and they can 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 using messaging rooms, WhatsApp rooms are direct access video chats where anyone with a room link can participate at any time. Imagine Messenger rooms as virtual rooms where a link acts as a door, and anyone can enter through the link. You get most of the features of video calling in rooms, such as the ability to turn off the camera, mute the sound, share the screen, leave and delete a room, and more. The coins are different from WhatsApp groups. For example, you can’t send text messages in WhatsApp rooms. You can only have one audio or video call.

To understand rooms in WhatsApp, let’s take a simple example. Suppose you have a WhatsApp group with your cousins. When you make a WhatsApp video call, anyone who wants to participate should answer when you call them. If someone misses the call, you will have to call them back. It’s unproductive because you don’t know when the other person will be available. To avoid drama, you can use WhatsApp rooms. Just share the link of a Messenger room in the WhatsApp group and anyone who wants to join the video call should tap on the link. It doesn’t matter whether the call is on or about to end, people can join it anytime.

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

Who can create and join in WhatsApp rooms

Any WhatsApp user can create a room as long as they have a Facebook account. Yes, a Facebook account is necessarily necessary to create a Messenger room in 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 member of the group can create WhatsApp rooms. Room creator gets certain privileges, such as room privacy control, ability to delete people, locker rooms, etc. You can create multiple rooms at the same time. However, you can only participate in one room at a time.

Note: Rooms can be created from the Facebook news feed, Facebook groups, Messenger events and apps, and the website.

When it comes to joining rooms in WhatsApp, a cool feature comes into play. To join a room, you don’t need a Facebook account or even WhatsApp. The recipients of the link simply need to have a working Internet connection and a web browser. As simple as that. They will not be asked for their name until they join a room.

Note: Currently, the limit for the maximum number of users who can join a WhatsApp Messenger room is 50.

Suppose you create a room in a WhatsApp group with your cousins. You can share the same room link with another WhatsApp group, your friends on Facebook or Messenger, groups in Telegram, etc. Thus, anyone with or without a Facebook account with the room link can join it. There are no barriers in the rooms when it comes to joining them.

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

Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your phone.

2nd step: There are two methods to create a room on Android and iPhone. In the first method, open the individual discussion thread. On Android, tap the attachment icon. Select the room.

You can also access the Calls tab on the WhatsApp home screen. Tap the floating coins icon at the bottom in the case of Android.

On iPhone, tap the plus icon in a chat. Select the room.

You can also open the Calls tab. Tap Create 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, then tap Create room.

Step 3: A pop-up will appear asking you to go to Facebook Messenger. Tap Continue in Messenger.

Step 4: If the Facebook Messenger app is installed on your phone, it will open. Otherwise, the Messenger website will open in your phone’s default browser. Log in with your Facebook account.

The room creation screen opens. Tap Room Activity to change the goal or name of the room. Then press the Create Part As button.

Step 5: A Messenger room will be created. Tap the Send Link to WhatsApp button 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 WhatsApp discussion thread, the link will be automatically pasted into the input box. For rooms created via the call screen, you will be asked to select the contacts with whom you want to share the link. Tap send to share the link. You can also 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:

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

Pro tip: Find out how to use QR code in WhatsApp to add contacts.

2nd step: Tap the three dots icon at the top and select Create Room.

Otherwise, open a discussion and click the attachment icon. Select the room icon from the available options.

Step 3: A pop-up will appear asking you to continue on Facebook Messenger. Click Continue in Messenger.

Step 4: The Facebook Messenger website will open. Log in with your Facebook account. Click on Create Room as.

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

How to join a WhatsApp room

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

How to use WhatsApp rooms

Once you have created a WhatsApp room or clicked on the room link in WhatsApp, all Messenger rooms features and settings will become available. Check out our article which covers the basics of messaging rooms and various tips and tricks for the same. You will learn how to lock a room, what it means to lock a room, how to share a 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
• Facebook Messenger app or website access is required to create a room.
• Share your room link with only people they trust, as they can share it with more people who can join the room.
• If the room creator is not present in the room, they will receive a call when the first participant joins the room.

Should you use WhatsApp rooms

Messaging rooms in WhatsApp provide a great way to connect with people through video calls, especially those with limited mobility. People just need to click on the room link to get started. But there is also a downside. Your room link can be shared with more users by other people. So everyone can pass. To avoid this, you must lock your room. What do you think of WhatsApp rooms? Share with us in the comments below.