WhatsApp is adding a new feature to its iOS app—a virtual dial pad for making calls. The feature was spotted by WABetaInfo in the latest beta version of the app. It works like a regular phone keypad. Users can call someone by simply typing in their phone number.
WhatsApp Introduces Virtual Dial Pad for iOS: Here’s What You Need to Know
This feature has been available on Android for some time but has gone largely unnoticed. It’s fairly basic and works only with registered WhatsApp numbers. You don’t need to save the number in your contacts, but it must be linked to a WhatsApp account. Numbers not registered on WhatsApp, such as many business or public numbers, cannot be called using this feature.
On Android, most native dial pads include autocomplete. This feature suggests contacts based on the numbers or letters you type. However, WhatsApp’s dial pad does not have autocomplete, at least not yet. It’s possible this could change in the future, as the keypad already displays letters under the numbers.
To use the dial pad on iOS, go to the Calls section by tapping the icon at the bottom right of the screen. Then, press the green phone button in the same corner and select Call a number.
Currently, the feature is available only to users in WhatsApp’s beta program through TestFlight. You’ll need to update to the latest beta version to try it. There’s no official date for its release in the stable version of the app.
While the feature is simple, it’s a step forward for WhatsApp. It makes calling on the platform more flexible and user-friendly. iOS users can now look forward to an experience similar to Android, even if it’s missing some advanced features for now.
This development highlights WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance its calling features, bringing it closer to a full-fledged communication platform. While basic, the introduction of a virtual dial pad on iOS will likely be a good addition for many users looking for more straightforward ways to make WhatsApp calls.
