WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to send messages, photos, videos and make voice and video calls for free. One useful feature on WhatsApp is the ability to turn on speakerphone during calls, allowing you to talk hands-free.
What is speaker calling on WhatsApp?
Speaker calling, also known as speakerphone, is a feature that allows you to talk on the phone without holding it up to your ear. When speaker calling is enabled, you can put your phone down and the call audio will come through the phone’s built-in speaker instead of the earpiece. This allows you to talk hands-free during a call.
On WhatsApp, enabling speaker calling during a voice call allows you to put your phone down and have the call audio come through the loudspeaker. This frees up your hands to do other tasks while on a WhatsApp call.
How to turn on speaker calling during a WhatsApp call on iPhone
Turning on speakerphone during a WhatsApp call on an iPhone is easy and can be done in two ways:
Using the Speaker button
1. Start a voice call with a contact in WhatsApp.
2. Once the call is connected, tap on the Speaker button on the call screen. It looks like a speaker icon in the bottom right.
3. The call audio will now come through the iPhone’s loudspeaker. To switch back to the earpiece, just tap the Speaker button again.
Using Siri
1. Start a WhatsApp call with a contact.
2. Once connected, bring up Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or holding down the side or home button.
3. Say “Turn on speakerphone” or “Enable speakerphone”.
4. Siri will turn on speakerphone for the WhatsApp call. To turn it off, summon Siri again and say “Turn off speakerphone”.
How to turn on speaker calling during a WhatsApp call on Android
On Android phones, enabling speakerphone during a WhatsApp voice call can be done in a few quick steps:
Using the Speaker button
1. Start a WhatsApp call with a contact.
2. Once connected, tap on the Speaker icon on the call screen. It looks like a speakerphone icon.
3. The WhatsApp call audio will now come through the phone’s speaker. To disable, just tap the Speaker icon again.
Using the Volume buttons
1. Initiate a WhatsApp voice call with a contact.
2. When connected, press the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons on your Android phone.
3. A dialog will appear giving you the option to turn on Speaker. Tap on Speaker to enable it.
4. To turn speakerphone off, press the Volume buttons again and deselect the Speaker option.
How to turn on speaker calling during a WhatsApp video call
Similar to voice calls, speakerphone can also be enabled during video calls on WhatsApp:
On iPhone
1. Start a video call with a contact on WhatsApp.
2. Once connected, tap on the Speaker icon in the call screen to route audio through the speaker.
3. To disable, tap the Speaker icon again to switch audio back to the earpiece.
On Android
1. Initiate a video call on WhatsApp with a contact.
2. When connected, press the Volume buttons and tap Speaker in the dialog that appears.
3. Video call audio will now come through the loudspeaker. Turn it off by pressing Volume and deselecting Speaker.
Tips for using speaker calling on WhatsApp
Here are some tips to follow when using speakerphone during WhatsApp calls:
- Use speakerphone when you need to go hands-free, like when cooking or doing chores.
- Be mindful of your surroundings when using speakerphone in public.
- Reduce background noise around you so the other party can hear you clearly.
- Speak closer to your phone’s microphone when using speakerphone.
- Increase the call volume if needed so you can hear the audio clearly.
- Switch back to the phone earpiece when in noisy environments.
Troubleshooting speaker calling issues on WhatsApp
If you are unable to turn on speaker calling on WhatsApp, try these troubleshooting steps:
Check your phone’s volume settings
Make sure the volume on your phone is turned up sufficiently to hear speakerphone audio clearly. Press the Volume buttons on your phone to check.
Verify if speakerphone works outside WhatsApp
Try making a normal phone call and check if you are able to turn on speakerphone. If not, it could be an issue with your phone’s speakerphone function.
Restart your phone
Restarting your iPhone or Android phone can help resolve temporary glitches that may be preventing speakerphone from working.
Update WhatsApp
Ensure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp. An outdated app version could have bugs affecting speakerphone.
Disable battery optimization
On Android, disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in your phone’s Settings. This prevents your phone from restricting WhatsApp’s resources and functions.
Clear WhatsApp cache
Clearing cached data for WhatsApp may fix app malfunctions stopping speakerphone from working properly during calls.
If the problem persists even after trying the above steps, get in touch with WhatsApp support or your device manufacturer for further assistance.
Conclusion
Speakerphone is a convenient hands-free calling feature available on WhatsApp. On iPhone, you can turn it on using the Speaker button or with Siri. On Android, use either the Speaker button or the Volume buttons. Speaker calling works on both voice and video calls. Use the tips provided to have the best experience. Troubleshoot speakerphone issues by adjusting volume, restarting your phone, updating WhatsApp and disabling battery optimization. With these steps, you can easily use speakerphone during WhatsApp calls on your iPhone or Android phone.