WhatsApp Can Now Be Your Default Call and Messaging App on iPhone

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp can now be selected as the default calling and messaging app on iPhone, if users so wish (via WABetaInfo).

A change in the latest version of WhatsApp available on the App Store (v25.8.74) causes the Meta-owned encrypted chat platform to now show up in the Messaging and Calling options list in iOS Settings ➝ Apps ➝ Default Apps.

Apple introduced a way for users to select their preferred default apps for iPhone in iOS 18.2. Apple initially said that the feature would be coming to the European Union, but it turned out to be available worldwide.

If you select WhatsApp for Messaging and/or Calling, your iPhone will automatically open the app when called upon instead of Apple's built-in options, Messages and Phone/FaceTime.

• How to Set Your Default iPhone Apps

For example, in Apple's Contacts app, if you tap the buttons to message or call someone from their contacts card, iOS will immediately open WhatsApp.


Article Link: WhatsApp Can Now Be Your Default Call and Messaging App on iPhone

 

[AeroEd]

Thanks. Now my family/friends are using WhatsApp due to Apple not playing nice with Android via iMessage 🤷

 

[n-evo]

iOS should have the option to block WhatsApp’s calling feature. Just want it to be able to send and receive texts.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Choice is wonderful.

 

[sunapple]

Everyone in The Netherlands uses WhatsApp. There’s no way around it. Same for other apps in other countries. So it’s a very useful feature.

 

[Rychiar]

nice for foreign countries I guess

 

[fredn]

Wait, you can make actual phone calls from WhatsApp?

 

[Expos of 1969]

Wait, you can make actual phone calls from WhatsApp?

Hello .... where have you been?

 

[sdz]

thank you EU commission.

 

[Chazak]

Great to have choice, but If I can't receive verification codes via WhatApp on my iPhone, the value of this new option drops like a lead balloon.

 

[davide_eu]

iOS should have the option to block WhatsApp’s calling feature. Just want it to be able to send and receive texts.

Don't install it

 

[Chazak]

Everyone in The Netherlands uses WhatsApp. There’s no way around it. Same for other apps in other countries. So it’s a very useful feature.

Everyone, everywhere uses it. It is the international standard. It is the only thing Meta connected that doesn't make me nauseous.

 

[n-evo]

Don't install it

Unfortunately that option is not too practical in the Netherlands.

 

[phrehdd]

Does anyone have any notion about the risk factors of this (as in security issues)?

 

[robvalentine]

Not a fan of Meta, or whatsapp, but I have to use it as it's a more universla messaging app, and RCS support in the UK for iPhones is not existant. No one I know uses imessage in the UK other than posters on here claiming they do. Making it default will maybe stop siri sending a text when I say "send a whatsapp...". Unlikley though as Siri sucks.

 

[robvalentine]

Does anyone have any notion about the risk factors of this (as in security issues)?

Probably the same as using imessage/iOS, or discussing military attacks on signal

 

[adrianlondon]

Wait, you can make actual phone calls from WhatsApp?

Only to other WhatsApp users.

 

[iToph]

Mark Zuckerberg likes that

 

[lanceuppercut47]

I don't understand how this works, say someone on a landline calls me and I have WhatsApp as my default calling app, what happens here?

 

[mystery hill]

I don't understand how this works, say someone on a landline calls me and I have WhatsApp as my default calling app, what happens here?

The setting is for the default app for outgoing calls.

You will still receive calls from other apps that you have notifications turned on for.

 

[Trausner]

Nice, im excited to test this out with my WhatsApp iPad app…

 

[ProbablyDylan]

A win for user choice. Hopefully this will push Apple to improve their own Message and Phone apps.

 

[Yigit]

iOS should have the option to block WhatsApp’s calling feature. Just want it to be able to send and receive texts.

It may not be the exact solution you're looking for but:

If you disable the microphone permissions for the whatsapp app, the call function won't work. If someone calls you, you'll just see a missed call when you open the app. Otherwise there is no way to turn it off even when all notifications are off and it's very annoying

 

[mhnd]

Not a fan of Meta, or whatsapp, but I have to use it as it's a more universla messaging app, and RCS support in the UK for iPhones is not existant. No one I know uses imessage in the UK other than posters on here claiming they do. Making it default will maybe stop siri sending a text when I say "send a whatsapp...". Unlikley though as Siri sucks.

Have you tried with “Send a message on Whatsapp to …”? It works for me.

Edit: Formatting

 

[davide_eu]

Unfortunately that option is not too practical in the Netherlands.

Ah ok, you wouldn't receive WsApp call.. it makes sense if you don't like... you could stop answer to them... for example, I don't like voice messages, I ignore them...