Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Meta announced on 2026-11-05 that WhatsApp Events invites can reach guests who do not have a WhatsApp account, alongside a new Events Home for managing invites and RSVPs. Now: Meta said the updated Events is rolling out to everyone over the following weeks, with the Events section found in WhatsApp Settings.

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).

Protect traffic on networks you do not control. A VPN encrypts your connection on public and shared Wi-Fi, so people on the same network cannot read or tamper with it. See Surfshark VPN (affiliate link)

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).

Sources

Tools related to this case

These are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, ColdCaseTech earns from qualifying purchases.

ColdCaseTech is an independent record of technology's promises: every line links to its source. New cases daily at coldcasetech.com. Follow on X, Bluesky or Telegram.