How to Make a Call on WhatsApp iPhone: Your Definitive Guide

Making calls on WhatsApp using your iPhone is a breeze, a skill practically essential in our increasingly interconnected world. Here’s the lowdown: you can initiate both voice and video calls directly through the WhatsApp application, utilizing your internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data) instead of traditional phone lines. Here’s a breakdown of how to do it, step-by-step, ensuring crystal clear communication with anyone, anywhere:

1. Open WhatsApp: Locate the WhatsApp icon on your iPhone’s home screen and tap it to launch the application.
2. Navigate to the Chat: Find the contact you wish to call. You can either scroll through your existing chats or use the search bar at the top to quickly locate them.
3. Open the Chat Window: Tap on the contact’s name or profile picture to open the chat window.
4. Initiate the Call:
   • Voice Call: Look for the phone icon (resembling a traditional telephone receiver) in the upper-right corner of the chat window. Tap this icon to initiate a voice call.
   • Video Call: Look for the video camera icon next to the phone icon. Tap this icon to initiate a video call.
5. During the Call: Once the call connects, you’ll see options to:
   • Mute: Silence your microphone.
   • Speaker: Switch the audio output to your iPhone’s speaker.
   • Video On/Off (for video calls): Toggle your video camera on or off.
   • End Call: Terminate the call.

That’s it! Making calls on WhatsApp for iPhone is incredibly straightforward. But, as with all things technology, there can be nuances. Let’s delve deeper and address some common queries you might encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About WhatsApp Calling on iPhone

Here’s a curated list of frequently asked questions to further illuminate the world of WhatsApp calling on your iPhone. Prepare to have your burning questions answered!

1. Does WhatsApp Calling Use My Phone Plan Minutes?

No, WhatsApp calling does not use your phone plan minutes. It relies entirely on your internet connection, whether that’s Wi-Fi or cellular data. This is a key advantage, especially for international calls where traditional phone charges can be exorbitant. Keep an eye on your data usage if you are primarily using cellular data.

2. How Much Data Does a WhatsApp Call Use?

The amount of data used during a WhatsApp call varies depending on call quality and duration. Generally, a voice call uses less data than a video call. On average, a voice call might consume around 0.5MB per minute, while a video call can range from 2MB to 5MB per minute or even higher, especially on high-quality settings. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates. Monitoring your data consumption in your iPhone’s settings is recommended.

3. Can I Make WhatsApp Calls to People Who Don’t Have WhatsApp?

No, you can only make WhatsApp calls to other users who have the WhatsApp application installed and activated on their devices. WhatsApp calls are made within the WhatsApp ecosystem. If you need to call someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp, you’ll need to use a traditional phone call.

4. Why is My WhatsApp Call Quality Poor?

Poor call quality can stem from several factors:

• Weak Internet Connection: This is the most common culprit. Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection or strong cellular data signal.
• Network Congestion: During peak hours, internet traffic can slow down, affecting call quality.
• Outdated WhatsApp Version: Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed from the App Store.
• Device Issues: Sometimes, restarting your iPhone can resolve minor software glitches that affect call quality.
• Low Bandwidth Mode: Ensure Low Data Mode isn’t enabled on your iPhone if you want to use the most optimal call settings.

5. How Do I Block Someone from Calling Me on WhatsApp?

Blocking someone on WhatsApp is straightforward:

1. Open the Chat: Go to the chat with the person you want to block.
2. Tap on the Contact Name: At the top of the chat window, tap on their name or profile picture.
3. Scroll to the Bottom: Scroll down to the very bottom of their profile.
4. Tap “Block [Contact Name]”: Confirm your decision by tapping “Block”.

This will prevent them from calling or messaging you on WhatsApp.

6. Can I Make Group Voice or Video Calls on WhatsApp?

Yes! WhatsApp supports group voice and video calls. You can initiate a group call from within a group chat or by starting a new call from the “Calls” tab:

1. Open the Calls Tab: Tap on the “Calls” tab in WhatsApp.
2. Tap the New Call Icon: Look for the icon that resembles a phone with a “+” sign.
3. Select “New Group Call”: Choose this option.
4. Select Participants: Select the contacts you want to include in the group call.
5. Tap the Voice or Video Call Icon: Choose whether you want to start a voice or video group call.

Group calls can be a fantastic way to connect with multiple friends or family members simultaneously.

7. How Do I Switch from a Voice Call to a Video Call on WhatsApp?

During a WhatsApp voice call, you can seamlessly switch to a video call:

1. Look for the Video Icon: During the voice call, you’ll see a video camera icon on your screen.
2. Tap the Video Icon: Tap on the video icon to send a request to the other participant to switch to a video call.
3. Wait for Acceptance: The other person will receive a notification asking if they want to switch to video. They can accept or decline the request.

8. How Do I Answer a WhatsApp Call on My iPhone?

When someone calls you on WhatsApp, you’ll see an incoming call screen similar to a regular phone call. You’ll have options to:

• Answer: Accept the call.
• Decline: Reject the call.
• Send a Message: Decline the call and send a quick message (like “I’m busy, call you later”).

9. Can I Use WhatsApp Calling While Roaming?

Yes, you can use WhatsApp calling while roaming internationally. However, be mindful of roaming data charges. Depending on your mobile plan, roaming data can be expensive. Connecting to Wi-Fi whenever possible will help minimize data costs.

10. How Do I Change My WhatsApp Call Notification Settings?

To customize your WhatsApp call notification settings:

1. Open WhatsApp Settings: Tap on the “Settings” tab in the bottom right corner of WhatsApp.
2. Tap on “Notifications”: Select the “Notifications” option.
3. Customize Call Notifications: Here, you can customize the sound, vibration, and other settings for WhatsApp calls. You can set a particular ringtone for WhatsApp calls, helping you distinguish them from regular phone calls.

11. Why Can’t I Make WhatsApp Calls?

If you are facing issues making WhatsApp calls, here are some things to check:

• Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data).
• WhatsApp Permissions: Go to your iPhone’s settings (Settings > WhatsApp) and ensure that WhatsApp has permissions to access your microphone and camera (for video calls).
• WhatsApp is Blocked: Check whether WhatsApp is blocked in your country.
• Do Not Disturb: Confirm if Do Not Disturb mode is activated.
• Software update: Check to see if your iOS software has been updated.

12. Is WhatsApp Calling Encrypted?

Yes, WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted. This means that your conversations are private and secure, and only you and the person you’re talking to can hear or see the content of your calls. This encryption is a key feature that enhances the privacy and security of WhatsApp communications.

By following these steps and addressing these FAQs, you should be well-equipped to confidently navigate the world of WhatsApp calling on your iPhone. Happy calling!