WhatsApp events let you invite a chat or group to something with a date, time and place. Open the chat, tap the attach icon, choose Event, add the details and send. People reply Going, Maybe or Not going, and anyone who says Going or Maybe gets a reminder when it starts.
If you've ever organised anything through a WhatsApp group, you know the pain: the date gets buried under hundreds of messages and someone always asks "what time again?". WhatsApp events fix that. The event sits in the chat as its own message, people tap to respond, and WhatsApp keeps a list of upcoming events in the group info. Here's how to use them, and the limits worth knowing before you plan anything important around them. For anyone running a community, a club or a client group, they're one of the most useful features WhatsApp has added in years.
How to create an event on WhatsApp
- Open the individual or group chat.
- Tap the attach icon (the paperclip or plus) and choose Event.
- Enter the event name, date and time.
- Add any extras: a description, an end time, a location, a WhatsApp call link, and whether guests can bring someone.
- Tap send. The event appears in the chat for everyone to respond to.
What you can add to an event
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Description | Up to 2,048 characters |
| End time | Optional, but it changes your pinning options |
| Location | Helps guests find you |
| WhatsApp call link | For online events. Can't be added more than 12 months ahead |
| Allow guests | Lets people bring one extra guest |
How people respond
Everyone in the chat sees the event as a message and taps it to reply Going, Maybe or Not going. If you allowed guests, there's also Going with guest. People who say Going or Maybe get a notification when the event begins, which is far more reliable than hoping they remember.
To see every upcoming event in a chat, tap the chat or group name and open Events.
The limits that catch organisers out
- No co-hosts. WhatsApp says the event is hosted by its creator and you can't currently add a co-host. If you're organising with someone else, decide who creates it.
- Only the creator can edit, cancel or pin it. Everyone else can only respond.
- New members can't see older events. Someone who joins the group after you create the event won't see it. WhatsApp's fix is to delete the event and create a new one.
- No outside invites. You can't invite people who aren't in the chat, and you can't forward an event to another chat.
- Disappearing messages get in the way. If they're on, you may not be able to create events far in advance. Turn them off to use the full calendar.
How to edit or cancel an event
- Open the chat and tap the chat name.
- Tap Events and choose the event.
- Tap Edit event and change the name, date, time, location or description, then save.
- To call it off, tap Cancel event, then Yes.
Anyone who replied Going or Maybe is notified of changes, and a note about the update is posted in the chat too. That means you don't need to send a separate "time's changed!" message. It also keeps a clear record in the chat, so anyone scrolling back can see the latest details.
Pin the event so nobody misses it
Creators can pin an event to the top of the chat. Tap and hold the event message, choose pin, then pick how long: 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. If your event has an end time you can pin it until the event ends, and if it doesn't, until 3 hours after it starts. I'd pin every event in a busy group. It's the difference between the date being visible and being lost by lunchtime.
Events in disappearing message chats
If your group uses disappearing messages, plan ahead. WhatsApp says you might not be able to create events far in advance while disappearing messages are on. Either turn disappearing messages off while you organise, or create the event closer to the date. Once the event has passed you can switch them back on.
Ideas for using WhatsApp events
- Monthly community meetups, with a call link for people joining online.
- Client workshops run through a WhatsApp group, with the joining link in the event.
- Family birthdays, so the date and address sit in one place.
- School or club fixtures, pinned for the week leading up to them.
If your group is large, it helps to know how WhatsApp handles notifications and links too. See why WhatsApp isn't ringing if reminders don't come through, and whether WhatsApp has schedule send for timing your announcements.
My verdict
WhatsApp events turn a scrolling group chat into something you can organise. Create the event from the attach menu, pin it, and let the Going and Maybe reminders do the chasing. Just remember there's no co-host and new members won't see older events, so create it once everyone's in the group.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I create an event on WhatsApp?
Open the chat, tap the attach icon, choose Event, add the name, date and time plus any extras, and send it.
Can I add a co-host to a WhatsApp event?
No. WhatsApp says events are hosted by the creator and co-hosts aren't currently possible.
Why can't someone see my WhatsApp event?
People who joined the group after you created the event can't see it. Delete the event and create it again.
Does WhatsApp send event reminders?
Yes. People who respond Going or Maybe get a notification when the event begins.
Can I invite people outside the group to a WhatsApp event?
No. You can only invite people in that chat or group, and you can't forward an event to another chat.
How long can I pin a WhatsApp event?
24 hours, 7 days or 30 days, or until the event ends if it has an end time.
