WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make video calls within the app. With video calling being such a commonly used feature, many WhatsApp users wonder if they can send texts or messages while on a video call. The short answer is yes, you can text and video call at the same time on WhatsApp. However, there are some limitations and things to keep in mind when doing so. In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about texting and video calling simultaneously on WhatsApp.
Can You Text During a WhatsApp Video Call?
The ability to text while on a WhatsApp video call depends on what device you are using.
On Android
If you are using an Android device, you can absolutely send and receive texts while on a WhatsApp video call. Android allows you to easily switch between apps and multitask. So you can have the WhatsApp video call running in a small window, while simultaneously opening your WhatsApp chats or other texting apps to type out messages. This gives you seamless ability to carry on a text conversation while video chatting on WhatsApp.
On iPhone
The ability to text during WhatsApp video calls is more limited on iPhones. This is because iOS does not allow true multitasking or having multiple apps open at the same time. When you are in a WhatsApp video call on iPhone, that app takes over the full screen. There is no way to shrink the video call into a small window while texting in another app.
However, there are couple of workarounds:
– You can quickly switch out of the WhatsApp call into your WhatsApp chats or other texting apps by tapping the home button or swiping up to go to the home screen. You can send your texts and then switch back into the call. But this isn’t seamless multitasking like on Android.
– You can access your text messages from the notification center while the video call is running. Pull down the notification shade, tap on a text message notification, and quick reply from there without leaving the call screen.
So in summary, seamless texting and video calling at the same time is easy on Android but more limited on iOS. But iPhone users can still access text notifications and do some quick replies while remaining on a WhatsApp video call.
Pros and Cons of Texting During WhatsApp Video Calls
Being able to text while video chatting on WhatsApp certainly has its benefits, but there are also some downsides to consider:
Pros:
– You can carry on multiple conversations at once and multitask. This is especially helpful for quick coordination or making plans with someone while video chatting with someone else.
– It allows you to disseminate information to multiple people simultaneously through both video and text.
– Texting helps avoid awkward silences if conversation lulls during a video call. You can also continue conversations via text after a call ends.
Cons:
– It can be rude or distracting if you are actively texting while video chatting with someone. Especially if they can see you typing.
– Trying to hold a video call conversation while texting leads to divided focus and you may miss important visual cues.
– Too much multitasking can lead to confusion about who you have shared what information with via text vs. video.
– Texting may cause delays in the video call if it overloads your device’s processing capacity.
So the ability to simultaneously text and video chat is useful in moderation. But try to avoid letting it become distracting or detracting from the video call experience.
Tips for Texting and Video Calling at the Same Time
If you want to text and video call on WhatsApp at the same time, while avoiding some of the potential downsides, follow these tips:
Set Expectations
Let the person or people you are video chatting with know that you may also be texting periodically so they understand if you glance at your phone.
Text During Pauses
Look for natural pauses or lulls in the video chat conversation to respond to texts, so you don’t interrupt the flow.
Mute Notifications
Mute text notifications so they don’t distract from the video call. Check texts manually instead during convenient moments.
Don’t Fully Disengage
Stay engaged in the video chat by keeping eye contact and participating. Don’t get pulled into your text conversations.
Catch Up After
Recap or clarify any important information exchanged over text right after the video call ends.
Don’t Overdo It
Unless absolutely necessary, try to limit texting and give the video chat your full attention.
WhatsApp Video Call Data Usage
One other concern when video calling and texting simultaneously is cellular data usage if using WhatsApp over 3G/4G and not Wi-Fi. Here’s an overview of how much data WhatsApp video calls use:
| WhatsApp Video Call Quality | Data Used Per Minute |
|---|---|
| Low Quality | 0.7 MB |
| Medium Quality | 1.3 MB |
| High Quality | 2.6 MB |
As you can see, high quality WhatsApp video calls use over 2.5 MB per minute. So if you don’t have an unlimited data plan, extensive video calling could eat up your data allotment.
Texting uses very little data compared to video, around 0.01 MB per message. So texting simultaneously while video calling likely won’t have a very noticeable impact on data usage. But the heavy data demands of high-quality video calls will remain either way.
Some tips to minimize data usage while video calling and texting on WhatsApp:
– Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible to avoid using cellular data.
– Lower the video call quality if you don’t have unlimited data.
– Ask the other party to connect on Wi-Fi if they can.
– Use WhatsApp’s data saver setting to lower data usage.
– Monitor your data usage in your phone settings to avoid surprises.
WhatsApp Voice Calls vs Video Calls
If you want to be able to text easily while remaining on a call, WhatsApp voice calls may work better than video calls in some cases. Here is a comparison:
WhatsApp Voice Calls
– Allow easy texting, switching apps, and multitasking even on iPhone.
– Use much less data than video calls – around 0.7 MB per minute even for HD calls.
– Don’t require you to be on camera or have your full visual focus.
WhatsApp Video Calls
– Include visual personal touch of actually seeing someone.
– Allow you to visually share things like photos or videos.
– Harder to text or multitask during video calls on iPhone.
– Use a lot more data.
So if you need to coordinate or communicate via text a lot during a call, voice calls may be better suited. But for conversations where seeing someone is important, video calls are preferable.
Troubleshooting Texting & Calling Issues
Sometimes issues may arise when trying to simultaneously text and video call on WhatsApp. Here is how to troubleshoot some common problems:
Can’t access text notifications during call –
– Make sure notifications are enabled for your messaging apps.
– Check that the app has notification access in your phone’s settings.
– Close and reopen both WhatsApp and the texting app.
Call quality dropping when texting –
– This is likely due to too many resources being used. Lower video call quality or use voice call instead.
– Make sure you have a strong internet connection. Use Wi-Fi if available.
– Close unused apps running in the background on your device.
Other issues like app crashing or calls disconnecting –
– Force close and restart WhatsApp.
– Update WhatsApp to the latest version if available.
– Restart your phone.
– Clear app cache and data for WhatsApp.
– Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp if still not resolved.
Conclusion
WhatsApp has made staying connected easy by allowing users to video call, voice call, and text all within the same app. While limitations exist, especially for iPhones, you generally can text on WhatsApp while remaining on a video call. This allows convenient multitasking but should be used with discretion to avoid distraction. Follow the tips outlined to optimize your ability to simultaneously video chat and text on WhatsApp when needed. But also recognize when it may be better to focus on just the video call or voice call alone. With smart usage, this versatility can be a useful way to conduct multiple conversations at once on WhatsApp.