WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. A handy feature of WhatsApp is voice and video calling, making it easy to communicate face-to-face from your smartphone.
However, you may find WhatsApp calls to be disruptive or annoying at certain times, such as when you’re busy or trying to avoid interruptions. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to disable WhatsApp call notifications on your iPhone.
Mute Notifications for Specific Chats
The easiest way to stop WhatsApp call notifications from a particular contact or group is to mute notifications for that specific chat:
- Open the WhatsApp app and go to the Chats tab
- Tap and hold the chat you want to mute
- Tap More in the upper right corner
- Tap Mute and select one of the options: 8 hours, 1 week, or Always
This will stop all notifications, including calls, for that conversation during the selected time period. You can unmute at any time by returning to that conversation’s settings.
Disable Notifications in WhatsApp Settings
If you want to mute WhatsApp call notifications entirely, you can adjust the settings in the WhatsApp app:
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings in the bottom right
- Go to Notifications > Sounds and Vibrations
- Toggle off the Voice Call Sounds option
This will disable all ringtones/alerts for incoming WhatsApp voice calls. You can still enable vibrate or pop-up notifications if desired.
Silence Calls with Do Not Disturb
The iPhone’s Do Not Disturb feature is great for blocking calls and notifications when you don’t want disruptions. To use it for WhatsApp:
- Open Settings and go to Do Not Disturb
- Toggle on Do Not Disturb and customize the enabled settings
- Make sure Silence is enabled under Do Not Disturb
- Below Silence, choose Always to block all calls/notifications
This will silence all calls and alerts, including from WhatsApp. Remember to disable Do Not Disturb when you’re available for calls again. You can set up schedules and allow calls from certain people even in Do Not Disturb if desired.
Stop Calls with Airplane Mode
Another blanket option to disable WhatsApp calls on iPhone is to enable Airplane Mode. This cuts off all network connectivity:
- Open Settings and tap on Airplane Mode
- Toggle Airplane Mode on
As long as Airplane Mode is enabled, your phone won’t receive any calls, messages, or data. This completely blocks WhatsApp call notifications. Turn Airplane Mode off when you want to resume connectivity.
Block Calls with Your Phone Carrier
Some cell phone carriers allow you to block calls and texts from certain numbers. To do this for WhatsApp callers:
- Contact your mobile carrier’s customer support
- Ask about options to block contacts’ calls and texts
- Provide the phone numbers you want to block
The carrier will then prevent any calls or texts from those numbers to your device. This will stop WhatsApp calls from those specific people. Note that carriers may charge fees for this call-blocking service.
Stop WhatsApp from Accessing Contacts
If you remove WhatsApp’s access to your contacts, users not already in your contacts won’t be able to call you on WhatsApp at all:
- Go to iPhone Settings > WhatsApp
- Tap on Contacts and toggle off access
This prevents WhatsApp from matching its users to your contacts. Only existing contacts will still be able to call you. Re-enable access to restore contact linking.
Block Calls on Your Router
You may be able to block WhatsApp calls at the network level by setting up call blocking on your Wi-Fi router:
- Access your router admin console in your browser
- Navigate to call/message blocking settings
- Enter the contacts you want to block
- Save the settings
All devices on your Wi-Fi will then be unable to receive calls or texts from those blocked numbers. This is an advanced option that varies by router model and provider.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calls on iPhone can be disabled in several ways, depending on your specific needs:
- Mute notifications in individual WhatsApp chats
- Turn off WhatsApp call alerts in app settings
- Enable Do Not Disturb to silence all calls
- Stop all connectivity with Airplane Mode
- Work with carriers to block contacts’ calls/texts
- Revoke WhatsApp’s contacts access
- Configure call blocking on a Wi-Fi router
Using these options, you can take control over WhatsApp calling and prevent disruptions when you’re focused on other tasks or want peace and quiet. With smart use of iPhone tools like Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode, you can quickly toggle WhatsApp call notifications off or on as needed.
WhatsApp’s calling feature provides excellent voice and video connectivity through an internet data connection. But constant notifications and calls can also distract you and interrupt your day. By muting certain chats, disabling call alerts, or blocking calls altogether, you can stay focused and productive.
Next time a WhatsApp call distracts you at the wrong moment, use one of these techniques to silence it. You can always return calls or catch up on conversations later when you have time. Take control of your calling experience and manage disruptions to fit your needs.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mute specific chats | – Selective muting – Temporary option |
– Must set each time – Notifications still show |
| Disable in-app notifications | – Mutes all calls – Persistent setting |
– Other alerts disabled too |
| Use Do Not Disturb | – Blocks all disruptions – Can customize options |
– Remember to disable after – Non-call alerts blocked too |
| Enable Airplane Mode | – Totally blocks calls/data – Simple on/off toggle |
– Disables all connectivity – Must turn off to restore service |
| Carrier call blocking | – Granular blocking by number – Works for calls and texts |
– May require carrier fees – Carrier cooperation needed |
| Revoke contacts access | – Broad blocking of unknown callers | – Existing contacts still connect |
| Router call blocking | – Network-level blocking – Persistent for all devices |
– Complex setup – Only works on Wi-Fi |
WhatsApp provides the convenience of free calls and messages over the internet. But constant pings and calls from the app at inopportune times can disrupt your focus. Fortunately, Android offers settings to disable notifications from the app entirely or selectively mute certain chats.
You have options to block WhatsApp call notifications at different levels. For quick, temporary muting, use Do Not Disturb or mute a chat. For more persistent blocking, revoke WhatsApp’s contacts permission or adjust notifications in Settings. You can also use Airplane mode to cut off all connectivity when you need to avoid distractions.
Experiment to find the right balance so you can stay focused when needed while still staying connected to loved ones. With the right settings, you don’t have to miss important WhatsApp calls but can also avoid annoying disruptions from the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does muting a WhatsApp chat also mute calls?
Yes, muting a WhatsApp chat will mute all notifications from that chat, including calls. To mute calls from a specific contact or group, tap and hold the chat, choose Mute, and select a duration.
Can I reject WhatsApp calls and send them directly to voicemail?
There is no direct option on iPhone to send a WhatsApp call to voicemail. You can mute the chat, disable call notifications, or enable Do Not Disturb to ignore the call.
Do blocked contacts on iPhone also get blocked in WhatsApp?
No, blocking a contact’s phone number in your iPhone settings does not automatically block them in WhatsApp. You’ll need to manually block contacts within the WhatsApp app as well.
Will muting a WhatsApp group also mute calls from the group?
Yes, muting a WhatsApp group chat will mute all notifications from that group, including any incoming calls.
Can I temporarily disable WhatsApp calls when I’m busy?
Yes, you have a few options to temporarily disable WhatsApp calls. The easiest is to toggle on Airplane Mode to disable all connectivity. You can also enable Do Not Disturb and customize to block calls and notifications for a period of time.
WhatsApp Call Statistics
WhatsApp has over 2 billion users worldwide who make over 100 billion calls per year. Here are some interesting statistics on WhatsApp calling usage and growth:
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total worldwide users | Over 2 billion |
| Daily active users | Over 1.5 billion |
| Countries with WhatsApp | Over 180 |
| Average WhatsApp calls per user per month | Over 30 |
| Total WhatsApp calls per day | Over 1 billion |
| Total WhatsApp calls per year | Over 100 billion |
| Average WhatsApp call length | 3-4 minutes |
| Percentage of users who make WhatsApp calls | Over 50% |
| Growth in WhatsApp calls since 2020 | Over 50% increase |
WhatsApp calling has seen massive growth in recent years. More than half of all WhatsApp users now make calls through the app on a regular basis. And the total call volume increases consistently year-over-year as users rely on WhatsApp as a free and convenient phone alternative.
Tips for Managing WhatsApp Notifications
Here are some additional tips for managing WhatsApp calls and notifications on iPhone:
- Customize notification settings for each individual chat
- Create notification exceptions for favorite contacts
- Set up Do Not Disturb schedules to disable notifications at certain times
- Use Focus modes to block notifications when you need to concentrate
- Switch on Airplane mode for short bursts of distraction-free time
- Mute large or active groups temporarily to manage notifications
- Disable show previews to only view notifications when you want
- Turn off LED flash alerts and sounds for more subtle notifications
- Adjust number of call repeats before going to voicemail
Stay in control of your notifications from WhatsApp and customize based on your priorities and preferences. Find the right settings for your usage and contacts to avoid distraction while still connecting with your most important people.
Summary
WhatsApp calling is a convenient feature for keeping in touch, but constant notifications can disrupt your focus. To disable WhatsApp calls on iPhone, mute specific chats, disable in-app notifications, use Do Not Disturb, turn on Airplane Mode, block contacts through your carrier, revoke WhatsApp’s contacts access, or configure call blocking on your Wi-Fi router.
Choose the method that best fits your needs. Customize your notifications, enable do not disturb when needed, or temporarily cut off connectivity to take a break from calls. With the right settings, you can manage WhatsApp calls to avoid annoyances while still using the app to stay connected.