WhatsApp, the popular Meta-owned instant messaging platform, is reportedly developing a new feature that will allow users to call directly from within the app without the need to save contacts in the address book.
WhatsApp will soon allow you to dial numbers and place calls directly from the app
WABetaInfo, a known WhatsApp tipster publication, discovered the new in-app dialer feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.13.17 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. According to the publication, the above feature was first reportedly tested in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.28 update in April 2024.
Currently, WhatsApp users must save the caller’s contact number in the address book before placing a call from the app. With the new in-app dialer feature, the need to switch between WhatsApp and the phone’s native dialer will be eliminated, thereby offering users a more simplified and hassle-free calling experience.
Users will find a new floating action button within the “Calls” tab. This button will enable access to the in-app dialer and allow users to directly dial phone numbers and initiate calls without saving the contact number and leaving the app.
“This feature allows users to make calls directly, without the need to add contacts to their address book or manually open a conversation. Additionally, after entering a phone number, users also have the option to quickly save it to the address book as a new contact or add it to an existing contact card,” the WABetaInfo report said.
Besides this, WhatsApp has also introduced a “Messaging Shortcut” within the dialer screen. This nifty feature allows users to swiftly switch from dialing to messaging, all within the same app. It’s a small but significant addition that further enhances the user experience.
“This feature can add a new layer of convenience to the calling experience as it offers users increased efficiency in initiating calls directly from the app. Users can initiate calls faster, without the intermediate steps of saving contacts or searching for specific conversations, making the process easier for new interactions. Users can also choose to save important numbers instantly to the address book while entering phone numbers within the in-app dialer, ensuring that important contacts are readily accessible,” the report added.
Additionally, this feature also notifies users if the entered phone number is registered on WhatsApp, enabling them to know instantly whether they can use WhatsApp for that contact.
Currently, the feature is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store. However, WhatsApp has yet to confirm when it will officially make the feature available to the public.