Yes, you can make phone calls with WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a popular messaging app owned by Meta (formerly Facebook) that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and make voice and video calls over the internet. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make phone calls to other WhatsApp users for free.
How to make calls on WhatsApp
Making calls on WhatsApp is very easy. Follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your phone and are connected to the internet (wifi or mobile data).
- Open WhatsApp and select the ‘Calls’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the phone icon in the top right corner to reveal your contact list.
- Select the contact you want to call. Note that you can only call contacts who also have WhatsApp installed and set up.
- Tap the voice or video call icon at the top of the screen to place your call.
- The call will now connect provided your contact accepts it. Talk to them as you would on a normal phone call.
- To end the call, simply tap the red phone icon on your screen.
The process is very similar to making a normal phone call, except it routes through WhatsApp instead of your regular phone dialer and telephone network. As long as both you and your contact are connected to the internet and have WhatsApp installed, the voice call quality should be very good.
Advantages of calling on WhatsApp
There are several advantages to making calls over WhatsApp rather than through your phone’s default calling feature:
- Free calls – WhatsApp calls are completely free as long as both parties have an internet connection. Normal phone calls can incur charges from your carrier.
- Call quality – WhatsApp utilizes Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to route calls over the internet. Call quality is usually very good, comparable to a regular phone call.
- International calls – You can call any country in the world free of charge as long as the recipient also has WhatsApp.
- Extra features – WhatsApp calls have features like conference calling, screen sharing, and video calling.
- Works on WiFi – You can call from anywhere you have a WiFi connection, even without mobile data.
- Lower costs – Using WhatsApp for calling can help you save money on phone bills, especially on international calls.
So if both you and your friend or family member have WhatsApp, it makes sense to use it for your calling needs to take advantage of the free, high-quality service.
WhatsApp call limitations
While WhatsApp calling is very useful, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Requires smartphones – Regular mobile phones cannot use WhatsApp. Both parties need modern smartphones.
- Internet connection required – Without an internet connection calls cannot be made. Mobile data or WiFi is needed.
- Only works between WhatsApp users – You can only call other people who also have WhatsApp installed.
- No emergency calling – WhatsApp cannot be used to make emergency calls.
- Call quality depends on connection – Call quality may suffer if you have a poor internet connection.
So while WhatsApp calling is very convenient for everyday use, you still need an actual cell phone connection to make emergency calls and to call people who don’t use WhatsApp.
Making international WhatsApp calls
One of the most useful features of WhatsApp calling is the ability to make international calls for free. To make an international WhatsApp call just follow the same process as before:
- Make sure you have the contact’s international phone number saved in your WhatsApp contacts.
- Open the WhatsApp call screen and search for the contact’s name.
- Place a video or voice call as normal.
As long as your contact also has WhatsApp installed and an internet connection, the international call will connect almost instantly. The call quality is usually excellent, even on long distance international calls.
This can allow you to keep in touch with friends and family abroad at no cost. International calls through your phone provider can be very expensive, but WhatsApp provides free calling worldwide.
Using WhatsApp for business calls
In addition to personal use, WhatsApp can be very helpful for business calls with colleagues, clients, suppliers etc:
- Instantly connect with business partners worldwide for free
- Hold one-on-one conversations or conference calls
- Quickly share documents or presentations
- Screen sharing to visually demonstrate concepts
- Send messages to follow up after a call
The ability to make free calls coupled with WhatsApp’s other collaboration features make it suitable for use across many business scenarios. Companies can save on telecommunications costs and enable remote work by using WhatsApp for business communication.
Call reliability and voice quality
Overall, WhatsApp call quality and reliability is very good, comparable to traditional mobile calls in most cases. However there are some factors that can affect the voice quality:
- Internet connection speed – WhatsApp needs steady internet speeds of at least 128kbps. Faster is better.
- WiFi vs mobile data – WiFi provides more consistent call quality. Mobile data is more prone to fluctuations in signal strength.
- Distance between callers – Long distance international calls may suffer lower quality due to increased internet latency.
- Background apps – Running other apps in the background can drain bandwidth from WhatsApp.
- Hardware – Older smartphones may struggle with video calling and screen sharing features.
As long as both parties have a sufficiently fast internet connection, WhatsApp audio and video calls work very reliably. But users with slower connections may experience lower call quality occasionally.
Using WhatsApp Web for calling
WhatsApp Web allows you to access your WhatsApp messages and calls through the web browser on your computer. This also lets you make and receive WhatsApp calls on your computer.
To get started with WhatsApp Web calls:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com in your web browser
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and tap Menu > Linked Devices > Link a Device
- Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on the WhatsApp Web screen and scan it
- Your WhatsApp will now be linked. You can access your chats through the web app
- To make calls, click the phone or video icon at the top right of any chat
- Your computer microphone and speakers allow you to place WhatsApp calls through the browser
The main benefit of WhatsApp Web calling is that it allows you to use a bigger screen, webcam, microphone and headphones for enhanced call quality. It also lets you quickly answer WhatsApp calls even if your phone is in another room.
Using WhatsApp on multiple devices
WhatsApp recently introduced the ability to use your account on multiple devices simultaneously. This allows you to make calls directly from linked devices such as:
- Tablets
- Secondary smartphones
- Computers via WhatsApp Desktop app
To enable multi-device on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices
- Tap “Multi-device beta” then Enable
- Link your other devices by scanning the QR code from each device
Once enabled, you can directly make and receive WhatsApp calls on any linked device without needing your phone connected. This gives you more flexibility when choosing the optimal device for calls.
Using external apps for WhatsApp calls
There are some useful third party apps that can enhance the WhatsApp calling experience:
- WhatsApp GB: Modded version of WhatsApp with call recording and other extra features.
- Truecaller: Identifies unknown numbers on WhatsApp calls.
- Drupe: Acts as a dialer and records all call history in one place.
- Echo: Creates auto-transcripts of WhatsApp calls.
However, using unauthorized third party apps could result in your WhatsApp account being banned. Use official WhatsApp channels wherever possible for the best experience.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp calling issues
If you face any problems making or receiving WhatsApp calls, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Check your internet connection strength and speed.
- Restart your phone and try making a call again.
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version available.
- Make sure your phone software is up to date.
- Try switching between WiFi and mobile data.
- Clear cache and data for WhatsApp and reboot.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Contact WhatsApp support if issues persist.
Following basic troubleshooting steps will resolve most common WhatsApp calling problems. Make sure to report persistent bugs or issues to WhatsApp directly.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calling is a very convenient way to make free phone calls locally and internationally. The voice and video call quality is generally excellent, provided both parties have a good internet connection.
For most everyday personal and business calling needs, WhatsApp delivers good reliability along with useful features like conference calling, screen sharing and multi-device support. It saves on telecommunications costs while still providing high quality calls.
There are some limitations like the requirement for smartphones and internet connectivity. Regular mobile networks are still needed for emergency calls and contacting non-WhatsApp users. But overall, WhatsApp calling is an indispensable communication tool for hundreds of millions of users worldwide.