Screenshots reveal the feature is available in beta

Mar 16, 2015 10:19 GMT  ·  By

The voice call feature for WhatsApp has been in the works for a very long time now, and after delays and much waiting the new feat has started rolling out for all Android users.

While this is happening, iOS users are still waiting to get the same treatment. Which is a bit counterintuitive considering that in the beginning, WhatsApp was an iOS exclusive for almost a year.

WhatsApp for iOS release is imminent

Anyway, the good news is that the wait is not going to be an extensive one. BGR India reports that a user in the country has apparently sent in a bunch of screenshots with the voice calling feature taken from his WhatsApp iOS app.

Voice calling apparently becomes available in the beta version of the app (v.2.11.17.444), so it’s not currently being offered to everyone.

The new version adds a few tweaks to the app’s overall interface, in the sense that you can now see a phone icon next to a contact’s display image.

Pressing the button in question (which is quite similar to the iPhone’s default calling screen) will open the calling screen. At the bottom, you’ll also notice that the tab now includes a new “Recent” button, where the history of your calls will be stored. From there, you’ll be able to access a list of calls you made, missed or received.

The fact that the feature has been rolled out for some users indicates that the official release shouldn't take too long to go mainstream. We’ll be sure to update you when this happens.

WhatsApp is among the world's most popular mobile apps

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps out there. It is currently available on different mobile platforms and desktop.

Last week, we told you that the app reached an important milestone in its development. The app just hit 1 billion downloads in the Google Play Store.

This achievement makes WhatsApp join a select club of the world’s most popular applications including Gmail, YouTube and Facebook.

Actually, the achievement is made even more impressive by the fact that WhatsApp is the second app in the top to actually be a non-Google app.

The messaging app is constantly developing and looking to add new features. So maybe a Material Design overhaul is not far away from us.

New Call button pops up in WhatsApp
New Call button pops up in WhatsApp

WhatsApp voice calling on iOS (2 Images)

WhatsApp voice calling as demonstrated on iOS
New Call button pops up in WhatsApp
Open gallery