Quick Answer
There are a few potential reasons why your iPhone may be defaulting to WhatsApp for video calls instead of FaceTime:
- WhatsApp is set as the default app for video calls in your iPhone settings
- The person you are trying to call does not have FaceTime installed or set up on their device
- You have disabled or restricted FaceTime on your iPhone
- There are connectivity issues with FaceTime, either due to network problems or Apple server issues
To resolve this, check your default app settings, confirm the recipient has FaceTime configured, and ensure FaceTime is enabled on your phone with no restrictions. If FaceTime is still not working, you may need to wait for connectivity issues to resolve or contact Apple support if the problem persists.
What is FaceTime and WhatsApp?
FaceTime and WhatsApp are two popular video calling apps:
- FaceTime is Apple’s proprietary video calling app that allows iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to make video calls to each other. It uses internet data to place video calls.
- WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging app owned by Meta that allows users to make video calls. It also uses internet data for video calls and supports Android, iPhone, and desktop users.
The main differences are that FaceTime is exclusive to Apple devices while WhatsApp has wider cross-platform support. FaceTime may offer higher video quality while WhatsApp has more features like group video calls. But both serve the same purpose of video chatting on phones and internet-connected devices.
Why is my iPhone using WhatsApp instead of FaceTime?
There are several potential reasons why your iPhone may be defaulting to open WhatsApp instead of FaceTime when you try to make video calls:
WhatsApp is set as default app
The most likely reason is that you have set WhatsApp as the default app for video calls in your iPhone settings. To check this:
- Go to Settings > Phone on your iPhone
- Scroll down and tap Default Apps
- Check if WhatsApp is selected under Video Calls. If yes, tap it and change it to FaceTime
This will reset FaceTime as the default video calling app and your iPhone will now use FaceTime when you try to make video calls.
Recipient doesn’t have FaceTime
If the person you are trying to call doesn’t have FaceTime installed and set up on their iPhone, iPad or Mac device, your iPhone will automatically initiate a WhatsApp video call instead.
This is because FaceTime only works between Apple devices while WhatsApp has cross-platform capability. To test this, try making a FaceTime call to another iPhone user who definitely has FaceTime enabled on their end.
FaceTime disabled on your iPhone
Sometimes FaceTime may get restricted or disabled on your iPhone due to unknown reasons. To check this:
- Go to Settings > FaceTime on your iPhone
- Make sure the FaceTime switch is toggled ON
- Also check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to see if any restrictions have been set on FaceTime usage
Re-enabling FaceTime and removing any restrictions should allow you to use FaceTime normally again.
Network connectivity issues
In some cases, FaceTime issues could arise from network problems or outages on Apple’s end that prevent connectivity. To troubleshoot this:
- Try making a FaceTime call to someone else to check if the issue is specific to a single recipient or widespread
- Connect your iPhone to a different Wifi or cellular data network and see if FaceTime works
- Check Apple’s system status page for any known outages with FaceTime
If the issues persist across different networks over an extended time, it likely indicates a problem with Apple’s servers. You may need to wait for this to be resolved or contact Apple support for further troubleshooting.
Fixes and solutions
Based on the potential reasons explained above, here are some troubleshooting steps to fix your iPhone using WhatsApp instead of FaceTime:
- Reset FaceTime as the default video calling app in Settings > Phone > Default Apps
- Confirm the recipient you are calling has FaceTime installed and activated
- Check FaceTime is enabled in Settings and no restrictions are set
- Toggle Airplane mode ON and OFF to refresh network connections
- Update your iPhone software in case a bug is causing FaceTime issues
- Factory reset your iPhone as a last resort if troubleshooting does not resolve the problem
Performing these steps should help identify and fix any settings changes or software bugs causing WhatsApp to take over your FaceTime calls. If the problem still persists after troubleshooting, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
When should I use FaceTime vs WhatsApp?
FaceTime and WhatsApp serve the same core purpose of video chatting, but here are some factors to consider when choosing one over the other:
| FaceTime | |
|---|---|
| Use when calling other Apple device users (iPhone, iPad, Mac) | Use for cross-platform calling between iPhone, Android, desktop |
| Offers higher quality video on fast connections | More features like group calling, stickers, statuses |
| Seamlessly integrated with iPhone contacts and iCloud | End-to-end encryption for privacy |
| Preinstalled on Apple devices | Larger international user base |
In summary:
- Use FaceTime if communicating with friends and family who have Apple devices
- Use WhatsApp for talking to non-Apple users and those overseas
- Consider video/sound quality needs and individual preferences
Having both apps installed gives you flexibility to video chat across platforms. You can set the default to your personally preferred app.
How to prevent WhatsApp taking over video calls
Here are some tips to stop WhatsApp from hijacking your video calls and ensure FaceTime remains the default calling method on your iPhone:
- Disable WhatsApp’s permissions to access phone calls and microphone in iOS settings
- Turn off WhatsApp’s support for VoIP calls in WhatsApp settings
- Set FaceTime as the default phone and video calling app under Settings > Phone > Default Apps
- Upgrade to the latest iOS software in case it is a known bug
- Remove and reinstall WhatsApp app to refresh all settings
- Use a different app like Skype or Google Duo as the main video calling platform instead
Following these best practices will keep FaceTime as the primary calling method and prevent WhatsApp from taking over video calls automatically without your consent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone keep switching to WhatsApp for calls?
This most likely occurs because WhatsApp is set as the default video calling app in your iPhone settings. To fix this, go to Settings > Phone > Default Apps and change the Video Calls default back to FaceTime.
How do I stop WhatsApp from taking over calls?
Disable WhatsApp’s access to phone calls in app permissions, turn off WhatsApp’s VoIP calling support, and designate FaceTime as the default video calling app in iOS settings. This prevents WhatsApp from hijacking call requests.
What happens if I uninstall WhatsApp?
Uninstalling WhatsApp will completely remove the app from your iPhone and stop it from taking over calls. However, you will lose access to WhatsApp messaging and calling features until you reinstall it.
Should I use FaceTime or WhatsApp for video calls?
Use FaceTime for Apple-exclusive calling and WhatsApp for cross-platform video calls. Consider video quality, platform support, and additional features when deciding your primary video chatting app.
How can I set FaceTime as default again?
Go to Settings > Phone > Default Apps and change the Video Call default option to FaceTime instead of WhatsApp. This resets FaceTime as the primary calling app.
Conclusion
WhatsApp taking over FaceTime calls is usually caused by having WhatsApp set as the iPhone’s default video calling app or the recipient not having FaceTime enabled. Troubleshooting connectivity issues, resetting defaults, and managing app permissions/settings can help prevent this default app switch and resolve any FaceTime problems. Considering the strengths of both apps for different situations allows you to video chat smoothly across iOS and non-Apple devices.