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TECH: WhatsApp calls have become as common as regular cellular calls. So much so that many users prefer to make calls on WhatsApp rather than through their mobile network. Seeing the increasing usage, the Meta-owned chat app reportedly plans to roll out a major update that could make calling more convenient. WhatsApp for iOS may soon get a dedicated call dialer with a design and functionality similar to the iPhone's default dialer. As WABetaInfo reports, the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS builds have a call dialer built into the app that allows users to call unsaved numbers. In other words, iPhone users with WhatsApp can use the new dialer to call people who are not in contact with them.

This solves the problem of saving the number every time you make a call as WhatsApp currently supports calls only to saved contacts. WhatsApp users can call a contact by simply tapping on the phone icon, which appears next to the contact's name in the app. The upcoming dialer may be available through a new “+” button in the Calls tab in the iOS app. It's currently available to TestFlight users – Apple's version of the Android beta program, so not everyone can currently use it. However, WhatsApp may release it for the general public in the coming days.

The development comes days after Apple rolled out iOS 18.2, which allows iPhone users to change the default app for various tasks. This means that Apple's default dialer app can be replaced with WhatsApp's dialer, whenever it becomes available. This may be helpful for users who prefer to make calls through WhatsApp instead of their mobile network. However, the call functionality in WhatsApp only works when the device is connected to the Internet, so it cannot completely replace cellular calling.

In , WhatsApp announced a number of improvements to its calling service, giving users better video calls with higher resolutions. As part of the server-side update, WhatsApp has also introduced the ability to initiate calls with specific members of a group chat, giving admins more control over interactions with group participants. The new calling features are now available for WhatsApp's Android and iOS apps worldwide.