WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion users. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make voice and video calls to other users. But what if you need to call someone who is not in your contacts list? Is it possible to make a WhatsApp call without first adding the person as a contact?
Quick Answer
The short answer is yes, it is possible to make a WhatsApp call without having the recipient’s number saved in your contacts. There are a couple of different ways to do this:
- Make a WhatsApp call by dialing the full phone number – simply open the WhatsApp call tab, type in the full phone number with country code, and hit call.
- Make a WhatsApp call via a link – you can create a call link and send it to someone via chat or email and they can tap to join the call.
So in summary, while normally you need to have someone saved in your contacts to call them on WhatsApp, there are workarounds by using their full number or a call link. You do not need to have them saved in your contacts first.
Making a WhatsApp Call by Phone Number
Let’s take a closer look at how to go about making a WhatsApp call to someone who is not in your contacts list. The easiest way is to simply use their full phone number:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.
- Tap on the “Calls” tab at the bottom.
- At the top you will see a field to enter a phone number. Tap here.
- Enter the full phone number you want to call, including the country code. For example for a US number: +1 555 555 5555.
- Tap the green call button to place the call.
As long as the recipient has WhatsApp installed and set up on that phone number, the call will connect. You do not need to have them saved in your contacts for this method to work.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Make sure to enter the full phone number properly with the country code.
- Double check that the number is correct before placing the call to avoid errors.
- The recipient may see your call as coming from an unknown number unless they have your number saved.
- You will not be able to see the contact name during or after the call in your call history.
So while slightly less convenient than calling a contact, this method allows you to successfully place a WhatsApp call to anyone by using their full phone number.
Making a WhatsApp Call Via Link
In addition to dialing a full phone number, you can also make a WhatsApp call to someone without adding their contact by using a call link.
WhatsApp gives you the ability to create a call link and send it to someone through the WhatsApp chat, email, or really any other method. When the recipient clicks on the link, it will initiate a WhatsApp call between you and them.
Here is how to create a WhatsApp call link:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Calls tab.
- Tap on the button labeled “Create Call Link” at the top.
- This will generate a unique link for people to join a call with you.
- Tap on the Share button next to the link to share via WhatsApp or other apps.
- Send the link to the recipient through chat, email, etc.
- When they tap the link, it will open WhatsApp and start a call between you.
This method allows you to initiate a WhatsApp call with someone even if you don’t have their number saved at all. As long as you can get them the call link, they can tap it on their end to join the call with you through WhatsApp.
Things to Note
- The call link invitation will expire after 90 days if not used.
- You can reuse the same link for multiple calls.
- The link initiates an audio call by default, but you can switch to video once connected.
- Make sure to share the link in a safe, private manner to avoid unwanted calls.
The call link method gives you a simple way to start a WhatsApp call with someone you don’t have saved in your contacts. Great for one-off situations where you just need to make a quick call.
Making Group Calls Without Contacts
In addition to one-on-one calls, you can also use WhatsApp’s group call feature without needing to have participants saved in your contacts.
There are two ways to make group calls without contacts:
- Create a group call link – Just like a normal call link, you can create a group call link for up to 8 participants and share it with others to join your call. No need to have them in your contacts.
- Add participants by phone number – When initiating a new group call, there is an option to add a participant by entering their full phone number complete with country code.
So whether you want a quick impromptu group call or want to schedule a group call in advance, you have flexibility to pull it off without needing everyone’s contact information ahead of time.
Limitations to Note
- Group calls are limited to a maximum of 8 participants at once.
- Video calling is not supported in group calls.
- If you get an “invalid participant” error, double check the phone number entered.
- Enter full numbers carefully to avoid adding the wrong participants.
Overall, WhatsApp provides a couple straightforward options to initiate calls with people not in your contact list. While a bit less seamless than calling saved contacts, it is convenient to have the flexibility when needed.
Troubleshooting Issues
When making WhatsApp calls without saved contacts, there are a few potential issues that may come up.
Call Not Going Through
If your call is not going through or connecting, here are some things to try:
- Double check that you entered the full phone number correctly.
- Try adding the country code if you didn’t originally.
- Confirm the recipient has an active WhatsApp account set up.
- Check your internet connection is stable.
- Restart your phone and try again.
- Ask the recipient to confirm the number you are dialing matches their WhatsApp account.
“Not a Valid Number” Error
If you get a “not a valid number” error message, it likely means either:
- The number you entered is formatted incorrectly.
- The number does not have WhatsApp registered to it.
Double check you entered the number properly and that the person you are trying to call has an active WhatsApp account associated with that number.
Call Quality Issues
If you are able to connect but the call quality is poor, some steps to try:
- Check that you and the recipient have a strong wifi/data connection.
- Try toggling between wifi and cellular data.
- Move closer to your router if on wifi to improve signal strength.
- Restart your phone and try the call again.
- Ask the recipient to try restarting their phone as well.
Remember WhatsApp calls rely on your existing internet connection. So issues like weak signal, unstable wifi, or using up mobile data can all impact call quality and reliability.
FAQs
Is there a way to save a number I called for future WhatsApp calls?
Yes, if you make a call to someone by dialing their phone number directly, you can later add them to your contacts for easier calling in the future. After ending the call, go to your phone’s call log and find the number you dialed. From here you can often save the number directly to your contacts.
Do WhatsApp calls use my cell phone plan minutes?
No, WhatsApp calls use your mobile data or wifi internet connection rather than your cell plan’s minutes. However, if not on wifi the call will count against your monthly data usage.
Can I block unwanted calls from people not in my contacts?
Yes, you can block specific numbers from calling you on WhatsApp. Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked > Add New. Enter the phone number you want to block and they will no longer be able to call or message you.
Is there a limit to how many people I can call without adding their number?
There is no set limit on how many different unsaved numbers you can call from WhatsApp. However, you may experience issues if excessively making calls to new unsaved numbers in a short period of time.
How do I make a WhatsApp call from my computer?
If you have the WhatsApp desktop app installed on your computer, you can make voice and video calls from it. Calls will sync between your computer and mobile device. On the calls tab, click on the plus icon to enter a phone number to call just like on mobile.
Conclusion
While it is generally easiest to call existing contacts on WhatsApp, the platform does provide some flexible options to call numbers not already saved in your contacts list. By using full phone numbers with country code or shared call links, you can successfully connect WhatsApp calls without having to formally add someone to your contacts first.
These contact-free calling methods introduce small hurdles like having to manually enter numbers rather than selecting contacts, but overcome those key limitations. So next time you need to quickly WhatsApp call someone new, you’ll know exactly how to pull it off.
WhatsApp’s voice and video calling capabilities help keep people connected across long distances. Whether calling your best friend or getting in touch with a new client for work, the flexibility to use WhatsApp calling without relying solely on your saved contacts is a useful feature when needed.
As WhatsApp continues to refine its interfaces and capabilities, we may see even more enhancements to simplify the contact-free calling process. But for now, the full number and call link methods provide necessary workarounds when required. So don’t hesitate to leverage WhatsApp calling to stay connected, even without having someone’s number stored in your phone.