How to Enable Voice Calling on WhatsApp For Android

WhatsApp is about to roll out free voice calling features for Android with the version of 2.11.508 so that users can call their friends in their WhatsApp contacts or anybody without leaving WhatsApp. We’ve been informed that many WhatsApp users were able to use the WhatsApp voice calling feature on their android phone after getting a call from their friends who’re already using this service. Here is the complete tutorial to activate Voice Calling Feature on WhatsApp for Android.

How to Activate WhatsApp Voice Calling Feature on Android

The voice calling feature is there in the latest build of WhatsApp which you can download from its official website. As this feature is still in beta testing mode, not everyone would get this with their Android devices just by downloading and installing the latest version of WhatsApp. If you don’t know how to enable it, follow this tutorial.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements to get this feature on your Android device is as follows:

• Android OS version – 2.1 or above
• Tablet devices are not supported
• An internet connection

Once you meet the above criteria, you can start getting this feature at your device. The first thing you need to do is updating your app to its latest version.

One can download the latest version of WhatsApp by clicking on this link.

Once downloaded, tap on the file to install it on your Android phone. After the successful installation, WhatsApp calling feature should be automatically activated on your device.

Now, you need to find one of your friends who are already using this feature and ask him/her to call you at WhatsApp. Once your friend calls, the WhatsApp voice calling will automatically included into your app screen with the grant of inviting other friends at your contact list for the same feature.

But as I told earlier that this feature is still in beta mode, you might not get this activated at your Android device even after you followed the above steps. In that case, you can follow an alternative trick to activate the WhatsApp Voice Calls, but you need to have a rooted Android device.
So, if you’re ready to root your device, follow the tutorial below.

How to Enable Voice Calling on WhatsApp For Android [Root Required]

As of now, the trick has some barriers. Just like this – it can only be executed on rooted Android device. Other mobile users cannot use it now. They may have to wait until it is launched globally.
To enable WhatsApp voice calling, you need two things. First, obviously WhatsApp. Just make sure it is the latest version.
Secondly, ES File Explorer File Manager which is an all-in-one file explorer for Android.
If you have already installed this application, go ahead. Open up ES File Explorer File Manager and enable “Root Explorer”. To do so, just swipe from left to right, expand “Tools”, scroll down and tap on Root Explorer’s ON/OFF button.

Now, navigate to the following path.
Device >> data >> data >> com.whatsapp >> shared_prefs
On this screen, you can find some .xml files. Open com.whatsapp_preferences.xml file using the ES File Explorer File Manager app.

Tap on the menu button and select Edit.

Go to the bottom and you can find the </map> tag in the last line. Just add the following lines before the </map> tag.

<boolean name="call" value="true"/>
<string name="call_allowed">all</string>

Now, save your changes. To save, you can tap on back button and the save window will appear automatically. After that, open your stock Settings app, open Apps section and tap on “FORCE STOP” button to stop WhatsApp.
Then, open WhatsApp again. If everything is successfully done, you will get the new tab on your screen along with Chats and Contacts.

To call someone, just tap on the NEW CALL button that is positioned at the top navigation menu bar and select contact.
That’s it! You’ve successfully enabled WhatsApp free Voice Calling feature.

News Update for Activating WhatsApp Voice Calling Feature

There is a buzz in Reddit regarding the new calling feature of WhatsApp with some screenshots. Reportedly, this new voice calling feature allows the WhatsApp users make voice calls to their online buddies for free of cost (corresponding data transfer charges are only applied according to the data plan) by simply tapping the “Call” icon to start voice chatting with their WhatsApp friends.

The above screenshot was posted by a Reddit user, Pradnesh Patil. He said that the feature is like an invite thing where any person does not having the “voice call” feature should get a call from a person who is already using this calling feature. He also posted that it only seems to work for users running Lollipop 5.0.x on Nexus 5.

How to Activate WhatsApp Voice Calls for iOS Devices

Good news for the iOS device users. WhatsApp voice-calling feature is now available for iOS also. Here is how to enable the WhatsApp Voice-calling on your iPhone.

• At first, download the WhatsApp beta 2.12.0.1 on your iPhone. Click here to download new version of WhatsApp.
• Now add iMokholes repository to the list of Cydia sources. This is mandatory so you need this step in order to get the Voice-call feature. Click here to Add iMokholes Repository to the list of Cydia sources.
• Once you’ve added the iMokholes repository to the list, install the WhatsApp call Enabler from the Cydia Settings.
• And finally, ask someone of your friends to call you to activate the WhatsApp voice call on your iPhone or iOS device.

This calling feature is still not available for the Windows Phone users but we’re expecting that they will be able to call their WhatsApp friends very soon.
Verdict
WhatsApp, which is having couples of hundred million active users, is now owned by Facebook. They are probably the largest instant messaging service having dedicated app for almost all mobile platforms. It has unveiled WhatsApp for Web just few days back.
Earlier, it let you call anybody but that was chargeable. You must had to pay the bill from your carrier. But, this new voice calling feature is absolutely for free. However, the problem is WhatsApp has not unveiled it globally. They are testing it within their developer circle. Nevertheless, if you wish, you can easily get WhatsApp voice calling feature on your rooted Android device right away. After enabling, you can certainly call anybody you want. We’re working to enable the same feature when you run WhatsApp on PC or MAC.
By enabling voice call on WhatsApp, you can call anybody at free of cost. As of now, there is no limit or any other restrictions to call someone, who is your WhatsApp friend.
The WhatsApp rival i.e. Viber has the voice calling feature since long time now. It seems WhatsApp wants to compete and overcome this particular failure by enabling free voice calling feature.
On the other hand, WhatsApp for Web is a massive fail because of tons of restrictions. In 2015, more other things are set to launch by WhatsApp. Let’s seen what works and what fails.