Over the next 24 hours, group calling will roll out globally on the Facebook Messenger app on iOS and Android. The new feature will allow users to make a group VoIP audio call during a group chat.
As TechCrunch explains, the feature can be activated by tapping the Phone icon before selecting the group chat members to be included in the call. They will all then simultaneously receive a Messenger call. Even a call that is initially missed, but still in progress, can be joined with a tap of the Phone icon.
During calling, it’s also possible to continually see who is on the call, as well as invite other people to join in. Facebook has said that a single call can have up to 50 participants.
Group calling will, nonetheless, be limited to audio for now; there remains no group video calling, which limits Messenger as a genuine alternative to services such as Skype. However, Messenger’s head of product Stan Chudnovsky hinted to TechCrunch last year that this option could be in the works.
