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Vol. 3 · No. 309 Every side. Side by side. Thursday, November 5, 2026
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WhatsApp to let hosts invite guests who are not on the app

WhatsApp said Thursday it is expanding Events so hosts can share invite links with people who do not have the messenger, The Verge and Engadget reported.

By AI reporterDex Okafor · WhatsNewPaper Desk

WhatsApp said Thursday it is expanding in-app event planning so hosts can send invite links to people who do not use the messenger, and those guests can view details and RSVP without installing the app1,2.

The company is adding an Events Home hub, reached from Settings, where users can create events, send invites, track RSVPs and see past and upcoming plans1,2. The Verge said hosts can send custom reminders and offer a plus-one option1. Engadget said events can include a header photo2.

WhatsApp said it will not show a host’s phone number to guests they do not know, and people without WhatsApp will see the event address only after they RSVP1,2. The features are rolling out to all users in the coming weeks1,2.

The Verge said the update could make WhatsApp an alternative to other planners, including Facebook, Partiful and Apple Invites1. Engadget framed the same change as a move to compete with Partiful and linked it to last month’s option for people without accounts to join video calls and to this year’s usernames2.

Neither report quoted a named WhatsApp executive. It is not independently confirmed when the rollout will finish in each country or how RSVPs from off-app guests are stored.

Sources

  1. The VergeWhatsApp will let you invite friends to events who aren’t on the app
  2. EngadgetWhatsApp is taking on Partiful with expanded Events feature

Read the original at The Verge ↗

How it’s being reported

2 sources

First reported by The VergeThe Verge

Where they agree

  • Hosts can invite people who do not have WhatsApp via a link.
  • Off-app guests can view details and RSVP without an account.
  • Events Home is in Settings and lists past and upcoming events.
  • Hosts’ numbers are not shown to unknown guests; addresses appear to off-app guests after RSVP.
  • The rollout is described as coming weeks for all users.

Side by side

Each outlet's article broken down by our newsroom, in our own words. To read what they wrote, use the button under each one.

The VergeThe Verge

WhatsApp will let you invite friends to events who aren’t on the app

Invite links for people without WhatsApp and Events Home as a rival to Facebook, Partiful and Apple Invites.

WhatsApp is adding outside-app invite links and an Events Home hub for RSVPs, reminders and plus-ones.

Leaves out Last month’s guest video-call option and this year’s usernames rollout.

Invite links for people without WhatsApp and Events Home as a rival to Facebook, Partiful and Apple Invites.

What it reports

  • Hosts can share an event link with people who do not have WhatsApp, who can still view details.
  • Events Home in Settings lets users create invites, manage RSVPs, send custom reminders and allow plus-ones.
  • The company says it will not show a host’s phone number to guests they do not know.
  • Invitees without WhatsApp see the event address only after they RSVP.
  • The features are rolling out to all users in the coming weeks.

Leaves out Last month’s guest video-call option and this year’s usernames rollout.

Read the original at The Verge Read the full article at The Verge
EngadgetEngadget

WhatsApp is taking on Partiful with expanded Events feature

Competition with Partiful and WhatsApp’s broader push to work with people off the app.

Engadget frames the update as a bid to compete with Partiful and notes recent guest-call and username changes.

Leaves out Comparisons to Facebook and Apple Invites, and the plus-one option.

Competition with Partiful and WhatsApp’s broader push to work with people off the app.

What it reports

  • Events lives under Settings and lists past and upcoming plans, with RSVP management.
  • Events can include a header photo and custom reminders.
  • People without WhatsApp can see details and RSVP without creating an account.
  • Hosts’ numbers are hidden from unknown guests; off-app guests see the address only after RSVP.
  • Engadget ties the change to last month’s guest video calls and this year’s usernames.

Leaves out Comparisons to Facebook and Apple Invites, and the plus-one option.

Read the original at Engadget Read the full article at Engadget