NEW YORK: WhatsApp calling feature will allow people to talk to their WhatsApp contacts using the cellular data connection or Wi-Fi. This means they won’t have to pay for the call charges. Only the data charges will apply, irrespective of where users are calling.
This is similar to Skype or Viber. But considering the user base of WhatsApp it is a big deal.
The feature is not yet officially available. But there are people using the calling feature in WhatsApp and others too get it now, with a little bit of luck.
Calling feature in WhatsApp:
Users must have an Android phone that is running Android Lollipop. In fact at this moment, company is not even sure if the feature works on the non-Nexus phones or not. So it is even better if users have Android Lollipop on a Nexus device.
— Uninstall WhatsApp.
— Go to WhatsApp.com and download the app from there. This means users will get the latest app. This is an APK file.
— If users know how to install the APK file install it. If not, follow these steps: Got to Android Play Store > Install ES File Explorer > Open ES File Explorer > Go to the downloaded APK > Install WhatsApp APK
— Once users have the latest version of WhatsApp and if they phone has Android Lollipop, they need to find someone who has already got the WhatsApp calling feature. Ask the person who already has the WhatsApp feature activated to give you a WhatsApp call.
Once users get the call, the same feature will also get activated on their phone. It will show different tabs for chats and calls. And they will get a phone call button in a chat window.
Now here is the luck part. The feature doesn’t get activated for everyone. It looks like WhatsApp is still testing it and even the users who get call from someone who already has WhatsApp calling feature are getting it randomly.