Currently, if you want to call someone on WhatsApp, you must first register the target person as a contact.
But WABetaInfo, a site specializing in learning about upcoming WhatsApp features, discovered an interesting change in beta version 2.24.9.28 for Android: the ability to call any phone number, not just those registered as contact.
So what will this look like? According to WABetaInfo, this will take the form of a simple dialing screen, just like you’d find in your regular phone app. As shown in the screenshot below, it consists of the usual set of numbers and a green button to start the call.
WABetaInfo
WABetaInfo
WABetaInfo
However, this feature is still under development and therefore cannot be tried yet, even if you have the beta version installed (which we do not recommend on your primary device).
The advantage is obvious: you don’t have to worry about adding a contact every time you want to call someone. This is especially useful if you need to chat with people you only have temporary contact with. For example, to contacts at a hotel while on vacation or when you order products from an online retailer.
This opens up the possibility for some people to exclusively use WhatsApp to make and receive phone calls. This can be particularly useful if you regularly call people in other countries, where Wi-Fi is often free or cheap, but international calls are common.
However, it is not yet clear when Meta, owner of WhatsApp, plans to roll out this feature to users around the world.
You might also be interested in two other features coming to WhatsApp: Contact Notes and Favorites.
A version of this article was originally published on our sister title PC-Welt and has been translated and adapted to appear here.
