Meta announced on 2026-11-05 that WhatsApp Events invites can now reach people who do not have a WhatsApp account (Meta). Hosts create an event, add a cover photo and share the link, and guests can see the details and RSVP without downloading the app (Meta). The company also introduced an Events Home for creating customized invites and managing RSVPs (Meta). The updated Events is rolling out to everyone over the following weeks (Meta).
Key Facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who can receive invites | Guests without a WhatsApp account can see details and RSVP without the app | Meta |
| Where to find it | Events section in Settings, listing past and upcoming events | Engadget |
| Host tools | Cover photo, custom reminders, plus-one option | 9to5Mac |
| Sharing options | Invite link by text or email, plus a QR code | 9to5Mac |
| Privacy | Phone number hidden from unknown guests; address shown only after RSVP | Meta |
| Availability | Rolling out to everyone over the following weeks | Meta |
Timeline
- 2025-04-09: WhatsApp listed events among its recent features, noting that people could create an event in a 1:1 conversation as well as in groups (Whatsapp (official statement)).
- 2026-11-05: Meta announced the updated Events feature, with invites for people who do not have a WhatsApp account (Meta).
Details (as Reported)
Meta described the update as a response to people wanting a one-stop shop to create and coordinate events, including inviting friends who are not on WhatsApp (Meta). The Events Home sits under Settings and gives a complete list of past and upcoming events, including those a user created or was invited to (Meta).
On privacy, Meta stated that a host’s phone number is not shown to guests they do not know, and that guests without a WhatsApp account only see the event address after they RSVP (Meta). The company added that personal messages and calls remain private and end-to-end encrypted (Meta).
9to5Mac reported that hosts can share the invite link by text or email and can also share a QR code (9to5Mac). It noted that events could already be created in group chats and one-on-one conversations (9to5Mac).
Engadget characterized the wider audience for the events tools as a move to compete with services like Partiful (Engadget). It added that WhatsApp introduced an option last month for individuals without WhatsApp accounts to join video calls, and that usernames, which let people use the service without sharing their phone numbers, were the biggest change of the year (Engadget).
What Is Not Yet Confirmed
- Meta stated that the updated Events is rolling out to everyone over the following weeks, and no specific date for full availability is given (Meta).