Ever since Facebook acquired WhatsApp, the messaging app has been making constant improvements.
After introducing WhatsApp Web for PC, WhatsApp has gone a step further and rolled out a new feature—voice calling, which adds to the Material UI update it still retains under its belt. Suffice it to say improvements abound with the latest update.
The rumor started early last year when different sources suggested WhatsApp may be launching a free calling feature anytime soon. Although other instant messaging apps such as Viber were already offering the service, WhatsApp never hinted it will be theirs this soon.
As reported by an avid user of the feature on Reddit, the feature allows WhatsApp users to call other users free of charge in some sort of concepts. The user had to use snipped interfaces of the feature to drive the point home to millions of anxious users who are hearing about the not-so-complex concept for the first time.
As per the screenshots posted, the interface appears to be so simple. No major modifications have been made. They just added a tab, which upon clicking lets you “Add calls” or make some. Next to the call tab, there is another tab for chatting, which also shows the conversations you’ve been having with your contacts.
The user who uploaded the screenshots also reported that he hasn’t so far made any successful voice call to another user using the feature. Reason being, the calling interface is yet to be made available for Smartphone users–but will be, very soon.
The voice call feature on WhatsApp has the invite system that avails it to other users. With this, one user can make a call to another user, who can in turn call another user, availing the feature to them as well. In other words, you get hooked to the system by being invited by another user, after which you can call any of your contacts to avail the feature to them, too. That’s it.
Enabling the WhatsApp Calling Feature
To enable the free calling feature, first make sure your Android device is running on either Kitkat 4.4 or Lollipop. Once confirmed, you can update your Messenger into the latest version by tapping the update button (here is the link http://www.whatsapp.com/android/).
At this point, you will have to ask someone already using the feature to call you to avail it to you. But in case there is no one, here’s what you can do; first, open the terminal on your smartphone with root privileges. Then type this command “am start –n com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.HomeActivity. You’ll always be prompted to type this command whenever you use the voice calling feature on WhatsApp to make calls until someone else calls you to hook you in.
A possibly trick you can use to avoid going through all that hassle is to call any of your contacts using the aforementioned command. His voice call feature will be automatically activated. After that, he or she can call you back to get your voice call activated as well.
Please note; WhatsApp calling is only available for KitKat and Lollipop users as per now. So in case your handset runs on anything below these two, you’d want to wait until WhatsApp releases an update that can be supported on other versions.
After introducing WhatsApp Web for PC, WhatsApp has gone a step further and rolled out a new feature—voice calling, which adds to the Material UI update it still retains under its belt. Suffice it to say improvements abound with the latest update.
The rumor started early last year when different sources suggested WhatsApp may be launching a free calling feature anytime soon. Although other instant messaging apps such as Viber were already offering the service, WhatsApp never hinted it will be theirs this soon.
As reported by an avid user of the feature on Reddit, the feature allows WhatsApp users to call other users free of charge in some sort of concepts. The user had to use snipped interfaces of the feature to drive the point home to millions of anxious users who are hearing about the not-so-complex concept for the first time.
As per the screenshots posted, the interface appears to be so simple. No major modifications have been made. They just added a tab, which upon clicking lets you “Add calls” or make some. Next to the call tab, there is another tab for chatting, which also shows the conversations you’ve been having with your contacts.
The user who uploaded the screenshots also reported that he hasn’t so far made any successful voice call to another user using the feature. Reason being, the calling interface is yet to be made available for Smartphone users–but will be, very soon.
The voice call feature on WhatsApp has the invite system that avails it to other users. With this, one user can make a call to another user, who can in turn call another user, availing the feature to them as well. In other words, you get hooked to the system by being invited by another user, after which you can call any of your contacts to avail the feature to them, too. That’s it.
Enabling the WhatsApp Calling Feature
To enable the free calling feature, first make sure your Android device is running on either Kitkat 4.4 or Lollipop. Once confirmed, you can update your Messenger into the latest version by tapping the update button (here is the link http://www.whatsapp.com/android/).
At this point, you will have to ask someone already using the feature to call you to avail it to you. But in case there is no one, here’s what you can do; first, open the terminal on your smartphone with root privileges. Then type this command “am start –n com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.HomeActivity. You’ll always be prompted to type this command whenever you use the voice calling feature on WhatsApp to make calls until someone else calls you to hook you in.
A possibly trick you can use to avoid going through all that hassle is to call any of your contacts using the aforementioned command. His voice call feature will be automatically activated. After that, he or she can call you back to get your voice call activated as well.
Please note; WhatsApp calling is only available for KitKat and Lollipop users as per now. So in case your handset runs on anything below these two, you’d want to wait until WhatsApp releases an update that can be supported on other versions.
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