WhatsApp has significantly improved its calling and messaging experience over the years so much so that many users now prefer it over the default phone and messaging apps. To make this transition even smoother, WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let iPhone users set it as their default calling and messaging app.
According to WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS (version 25.8.10.74) on the TestFlight app offers a glimpse of this upcoming feature. A newly surfaced screenshot suggests that iPhone users may soon have the option to replace Apple’s stock Phone and Messages apps with WhatsApp.
With this change, making a call will automatically launch WhatsApp and place the call from there. This could be a game-changer, eliminating the need to manually open the app every time you want to make a call or send a message.
For now, this functionality is limited to select users running WhatsApp Beta. There’s no official timeline for a wider rollout, but it’s likely to arrive in the coming months.
While many of my contacts are already on WhatsApp, I still prefer using the stock Phone and Messages apps mainly because WhatsApp calls and texts rely on internet connectivity, which isn’t always reliable. That said, I can see this being a great feature for those who depend on WhatsApp as their primary communication app.
