How To Call Someone In WhatsApp: Your Comprehensive Guide
Wondering how to call someone in WhatsApp? It’s a simple process, allowing you to connect with friends and family globally using voice and video calls, all through your internet connection.
WhatsApp has revolutionized communication, offering more than just text messaging. One of its most popular features is its ability to make free voice and video calls to anyone, anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. This guide will walk you through the process of how to call someone in WhatsApp, covering everything from the basics to troubleshooting common issues.
Understanding WhatsApp Calling
WhatsApp calling leverages Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. This means it transmits your voice data over the internet rather than using traditional cellular networks. This can result in significantly lower costs, especially for international calls.
Benefits of Using WhatsApp Calling
- Cost-Effective: Calls are free over Wi-Fi and use minimal data on cellular networks.
- Global Reach: Connect with anyone worldwide who has WhatsApp.
- Voice & Video Options: Choose between voice calls and visually engaging video calls.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly across Android and iOS devices.
- Encrypted Communication: Calls are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring privacy.
The Step-by-Step Process of Calling Someone in WhatsApp
How to call someone in WhatsApp? Follow these simple steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Select a Contact: Find the contact you want to call from your contact list or recent chats. Tap on their name to open the chat window.
- Initiate a Call: At the top right corner of the chat window, you will see two icons: a telephone icon (for voice calls) and a camera icon (for video calls).
- For a Voice Call: Tap the telephone icon. WhatsApp will immediately initiate a voice call.
- For a Video Call: Tap the camera icon. WhatsApp will immediately initiate a video call.
- During the Call: Once the call connects, you’ll see options to:
- Mute/Unmute: Tap the microphone icon to mute or unmute your microphone.
- Turn Video On/Off (for video calls): Tap the camera icon to toggle your video on or off.
- Switch Camera (for video calls): Tap the switch camera icon to change between your front and rear camera.
- End the Call: Tap the red end call button to terminate the call.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
- Poor Internet Connection: A weak Wi-Fi signal or slow cellular data can cause call quality issues. Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
- WhatsApp Permissions: WhatsApp needs microphone and camera permissions to make calls. Check your phone’s settings to ensure WhatsApp has these permissions enabled.
- Outdated App: Using an outdated version of WhatsApp can sometimes lead to calling problems. Update to the latest version from your app store.
- Contact Not Using WhatsApp: You can only call other WhatsApp users.
Data Usage of WhatsApp Calls
WhatsApp calls are relatively data-efficient. However, extended video calls can consume more data.
| Call Type | Average Data Usage (per minute) |
|---|---|
| Voice Call | 0.5 MB |
| Video Call | 2-4 MB |
WhatsApp Calling on Desktop
You can also make and receive WhatsApp calls on your desktop using the WhatsApp Desktop app or WhatsApp Web. You will need to connect your desktop app or Web version to your WhatsApp account on your phone. The steps are nearly identical. Simply open a chat and click the corresponding call or video icon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I call someone on WhatsApp if they don’t have my number saved?
Yes, you can call someone on WhatsApp even if they haven’t saved your number, as long as they have your number saved and you are in their contacts. WhatsApp uses your phone number as your unique identifier.
Is it possible to make group voice or video calls on WhatsApp?
Yes, WhatsApp supports group voice and video calls. To initiate a group call, start a call with one contact, then tap the “+” icon and add other participants. You can add up to 32 participants in a voice call and up to 8 participants in a video call.
How do I improve the audio or video quality of my WhatsApp calls?
Ensure you have a strong and stable internet connection. Closing other apps that are using bandwidth can also improve call quality. In poor signal environments, consider switching from video to voice.
Does WhatsApp charge for international calls?
No, WhatsApp doesn’t charge for calls. However, you might incur data charges from your mobile carrier if you are not using Wi-Fi.
Can I block someone from calling me on WhatsApp?
Yes, you can block contacts on WhatsApp. Blocking a contact will prevent them from calling or messaging you. To block someone, open their chat, tap on their name at the top, and scroll down to find the “Block” option.
What if I can’t hear the other person during a WhatsApp call?
Make sure your phone’s volume is turned up and that your phone is not muted. Also, check your device’s audio output settings to ensure that the audio is not being routed to an external device like a Bluetooth speaker.
How do I answer a WhatsApp call?
When someone calls you on WhatsApp, a notification will appear on your screen. You can swipe or tap the “Answer” button to accept the call or the “Decline” button to reject it.
Can I use WhatsApp to call a landline or a mobile number that is not on WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp only allows you to call other WhatsApp users. You cannot use WhatsApp to directly call landlines or mobile numbers that don’t have a WhatsApp account.
What happens if I’m on another call when someone calls me on WhatsApp?
If you are on a regular cellular call, the WhatsApp call will be placed on hold, and you will be notified of the incoming WhatsApp call. You can choose to answer the WhatsApp call and put the cellular call on hold, or ignore the WhatsApp call. If you are on another WhatsApp call, you will have options to end current call or answer the new call and put the current call on hold.
Is it safe to make WhatsApp calls?
Yes, WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted, which means that your conversations are protected from being intercepted by third parties. This encryption helps ensure the privacy and security of your calls.
How do I know if someone is calling me on WhatsApp?
When someone calls you on WhatsApp, your phone will ring, and a notification will appear on your screen displaying the caller’s name or number.
Can I forward a WhatsApp call to another number?
No, WhatsApp does not have a built-in feature to forward calls to another number. You can, however, manually disconnect a call and immediately call the same person on a different number.