International calls can be costly, so if you have any close friends or family members abroad, you are already one of them who spends a lot to hear the voices of people you miss often. Here, WhatsApp comes to the rescue because it allows us to make voice and video calls over the internet for absolutely free, but it also comes with a twist. Let’s have a look at all that you need to know to make the most of the WhatsApp international calls.
Want to make international WhatsApp calls? Here’s all you need to know
With over 2.0 billion monthly users around the world, WhatsApp, the most used messenger app, connects us to anyone and everyone who uses the app from anywhere in this world. One needs to have an active internet connection (Wi-Fi/mobile data) in order to use WhatsApp.
How to make a WhatsApp voice call
Make sure you are connected to the internet through wi-fi or mobile data. Open WhatsApp > Tap on the contact thread or open it from the Search menu > Tap the Call button. Yes, it’s that simple to make a voice/video call to your friend who is over 1000 miles away from you.
Related: How to create a WhatsApp chat with yourself
How to make a WhatsApp video call
Making a video call through WhatsApp is similar to making a voice call.Open WhatsApp > Select the contact and open it > Tap the Video button on the top.
You need to have a good internet connection to make a video call. Though, if you are not impressed with the quality of WhatsApp’s video calls, you may take a look at Google Duo.
How to make a WhatsApp Group call
While you are allowed to make video and voice calls through WhatsApp, there is one more important feature which WhatsApp supports. i.e., Group/conference call. Create a group or open the group you are already in > Click the Phone+ icon on the top right of the group > Add the contacts one by one > Click the voice call or video call button. Group calls can have a maximum of four people, so you can add as many as three people into the call.
Related: How to save notes on WhatsApp
Can you make a WhatsApp call to anyone in the world
Here comes the hard truth. WhatsApp allows you to call anyone in the world but not to those living in China, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and the UAEdue to privacy, security and local reasons of the respective country.
Some of the common reasons are as follows; China and UAE have their own personal reason like the promotion of their own telecommunication service providers and strong firewall encryption features which restricts VoIP feature. Cuba, Iran, and Syria have their own security and privacy concerns when it comes to how WhatsApp uses data.
Related: How to schedule a WhatsApp message
Can you make WhatsApp calls despite the ban
These restrictions don’t mean a full ban on WhatsApp, as only calls are not allowed. These countries ban a variety of VoIP apps and allow fewer apps to promote the growth of local companies. The Government of these countries may allow WhatsApp calls in the future but nothing is set in stone.
However, with the use of VPN, you can work your way around it. The user residing in the country where it is banned has to connect to an IP address of the country where WhatsApp not banned. Here’s how: Download a VPN app from Play Store, open it, and then select any of the countries where WhatsApp calling is not banned. Tap the Home button on your phone to leave the VPN app running in the background, and then open WhatsApp. Make a call now, it should work.
Do you need any help with making international calls using WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments bow below.
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FAQs
Using WhatsApp for international calls is the same as making a local call with WhatsApp. You just select the person you want to call from within the app and tap the 'call' button. It makes no difference which country you are in when calling via WhatsApp.
How to make a WhatsApp international call? ›
When adding the contact's phone number, start by entering a plus sign (+). Enter the country code, followed by the full phone number. Note: A country code is a numerical prefix that must be entered before the full national phone number to make a call to another country.
How to use WhatsApp internationally for free? ›
When you are traveling out of the country, you can still use WhatsApp account via mobile data or Wi-Fi. If you use a local SIM card while you are traveling, you can still use WhatsApp with your home number.
Can you call someone on WhatsApp if they are not in your contacts? ›
Yes, you can place a call through WhatsApp to a number that is not on your contacts list without having to save them as your contact. WhatsApp provides a feature called "Call a Number" or "Dial Pad" which allows users to make calls to any phone number, even if it is not saved in their contacts.
How much data does a 2 hour WhatsApp call use? ›
How much data does a WhatsApp call use though? According to different sources online, WhatsApp calls use about 500 kb to 740kb per minute. This figure will change based on the strength of your connection and the quality of the service in your area being offered by your mobile network provider.
Who pays for a WhatsApp call? ›
While you can make voice calls to your contacts on WhatsApp without incurring direct charges, these calls rely on data usage, which might result in data-related expenses. In essence, you're paying for data rather than the call itself. To prevent extra charges, opt for Wi-Fi for WhatsApp calls.
Do I get charged for international calls on WhatsApp? ›
Voice calling lets you call your contacts using WhatsApp for free, even if they're in another country. Voice calling uses your phone's internet connection rather than your mobile plan's minutes. Data charges may apply.
How does WhatsApp work internationally? ›
It's not only available on billions of devices, it's available worldwide. And unlike services such as SMS, there's no extra charge for messaging someone in a different country. As long as you've got an active data connection, you can message anyone on the network.
Do WhatsApp calls show up on a phone bill? ›
WhatsApp calling uses your phone's internet connection to make calls, not your phone plan. WhatsApp calls won't show on your phone bill. Data rates will apply through your mobile provider. Contact your mobile provider for more information.
Are WhatsApp calls free on Wi-Fi? ›
Some of the best WiFi calling apps include: WhatsApp: This popular messaging app supports free international calling and video calls over WiFi. It is available for both Android and iPhone devices.
The easiest way to make an international call is to dial the + (which should be the same key as the 0), followed by the country code, and then the phone number. The + replaces the International Direct Dialing (IDD) code when you use a mobile phone to call to another country.
Can you use WhatsApp on airplane mode? ›
Airplane mode is another method to read WhatsApp messages without a blue tick. Enable this feature on your smartphone, tablet, or PC will disable cellular, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connectivity, and then nothing you do will cause the network to respond.
What is the difference between ringing and calling on WhatsApp? ›
In summary, "Calling" refers to the initial attempt to connect, while "Ringing" indicates that the recipient's phone is actually ringing and they are being notified of the call [3].
Do both parties need WhatsApp to call? ›
For example, you can't call users who do not have WhatsApp installed on their device. Similarly, you cannot place calls to regular numbers (including both landlines and cell phones). This is different from Skype and smartphone apps that specialize in VoIP-to-phone calls.
What happens if you are on WhatsApp call someone calls? ›
If someone calls you on WhatsApp while you're already on a WhatsApp voice or video call, you'll receive a notification. You can choose to either answer or decline the call. This won't interrupt your existing call. You can also choose to silence calls from unknown callers in settings.
Why can't I call internationally on WhatsApp? ›
WhatsApp can't be used to make a telephone call to a mobile number that isn't in your WhatsApp contacts list. Nor can it be used to phone a landline number. So, while your WhatsApp call to a contact in another country may look, sound, and feel like an international phone call, it's actually a voice call or voice chat.
How to call international without getting charged? ›
CallHippo, Skype, DialerHQ, WhatsApp, and Google Voice are a few of the international calling apps that provide cost-effective options for worldwide communication.
How to make an international call? ›
To call a phone in another country, dial 011, and then the code for the country you are calling, the area or city code, and the phone number. For example, if you are trying to call someone in Brazil (country code 55), in the city of Rio de Janeiro (city code 21), you would dial 011 - 55 - 21 - XXXX-XXXX.
