WhatsApp has launched a significant update for its iOS application, allowing users to designate it as their default platform for calls and messages. This feature was previously observed in a beta version, but it is now being made available to all iOS users of WhatsApp. The introduction of this functionality enhances the capacity to set custom default apps for calling and messaging, a feature that Apple first integrated in the iOS 18.2 update released in December.
Setting WhatsApp as the Default Communication App
The recent update to WhatsApp for iOS, version 25.8.74, includes the platform as an option in the default apps settings. iOS users can now select WhatsApp, along with FaceTime and Phone, as their preferred calling application. Furthermore, it can also be set as the default messaging app alongside Apple’s standard Messages app.
To establish WhatsApp as the default calling app, users should access the Settings menu, then navigate to Default Apps. Within this section, they can select Calling and choose WhatsApp. This procedure also applies to setting WhatsApp as the default for messaging by going to Messaging and selecting WhatsApp. Following this setup, any calls made directly from web pages and other sources utilizing system functions will automatically route through WhatsApp.
This feature was initially identified in the beta version of WhatsApp for iOS 25.8.10.74, which was accessible exclusively to users who signed up for Apple’s TestFlight program to test beta applications. However, it is now broadly available, with Gadgets 360 verifying its presence in the latest WhatsApp update, downloadable from the App Store.
The rollout of this feature signifies a move towards greater flexibility for users, who no longer have to rely solely on Apple’s native applications for fundamental communication tasks such as calls and messages. By opting to set WhatsApp as their default, users can simplify the process, bypassing extra steps like manually choosing the app from a menu or switching to it to initiate calls.
