WhatsApp voice calling feature is back: here’s how to get it enabled

WhatsApp has finally integrated voice call functionality into the world’s most popular instant messaging app. The WhatsApp call feature has finally been made available to anyone with the very latest version of the app. Be warned though that there is a new WhatsApp voice calling scam going around. Here's how to safely get WhatsApp voice calls on your phone.

How to enable WhatsApp voice calls

Important: Be warned that there is a new WhatsApp calling scam doing the rounds. Read up, be wary and spread the word.

The ability to activate voice calls on WhatsApp finally seems to be here for keeps. To get it, you need to update your WhatsApp app to at least v2.11.561. The official WhatsApp website now has v2.12.7 (versions before v2.11.561 failed to enable WhatsApp voice calls for us reliably, whereas v2.11.561 has worked first try on several devices, as has v2.12.7).

You’ll need to enable Unknown Sources in your Security settings first and get a call from someone you know that already has the WhatsApp voice calling feature enabled. You'll then see three tabs at the top of your WhatsApp interface: calls, chats and contacts. 

The calls tab will show you a detailed call log and in any chat with a WhatsApp contact you'll find that the dialer icon at the top now makes calls direct via WhatsApp and not the regular dialer. We've tested the latest version with several phones and they all worked first try, so it looks like the wait is finally over and WhatsApp voice calls are here for everyone. Still, there's no need to wait for the right version to hit the Play Store is there?

How to enable WhatsApp voice calls (with root)

In case none of this is still working for you, there is another way for rooted users to force the feature onto their phones, but it is a bit of a pain, as you’ll need to be connected to your PC and open a terminal every time you want to WhatsApp call someone (until it is enabled permanently for you).

Just open a terminal emulator and enter the following command:

su -c am start -n com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.HomeActivity

Have you got the feature yet? Will you now turn to WhatsApp as your default dialer?