If you’ve ever missed an important WhatsApp call and wished someone could leave a quick message, you’ll be pleased to know the messaging platform is developing a solution. The Meta-owned company is currently testing a voicemail-style feature that would allow you to record and send voice messages immediately after your calls go unanswered.
This new functionality is being trialled on Android, according to the eagle-eyed team at WABetaInfo, who first uncovered the feature. The development represents the latest effort from WhatsApp to enhance its calling capabilities, transforming the chat into a one-stop-shop solution for all of your communication.
The feature works similarly to traditional voicemail systems: when you make a call that goes unanswered, you’ll see a new “Record voice message” button appear at the bottom of your screen. This button sits conveniently between the existing “Call again” and “Cancel” options, giving you three choices for how to proceed.
Rather than navigating back to the chat interface to record a voice note manually, you can simply tap this new button to instantly record your message. The recording is then sent directly to the recipient’s chat thread, where it appears alongside the missed call notification.
The team at WABetaInfo, who study new beta releases from the team at Meta to unearth upcoming changes, shared details of the new voicemail feature coming soon to the world’s most popular chat app
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This streamlined process means you won’t need to switch between different screens or menus when you want to leave a quick voice message after an unsuccessful call attempt.
This voicemail-style feature appears to be part of WhatsApp’s broader strategy to improve its calling functionality. The company has recently been experimenting with another call-related tool that would help you remember to return missed calls through reminder notifications.
These developments suggest WhatsApp is investing significantly in traditional calling features, even as many users have shifted away from voice calls in recent years. The platform appears to recognise that you might still need robust calling options for situations where text messaging isn’t sufficient, such as emergencies.
It comes just a few weeks after iPhone owners gained the ability to set WhatsApp as the default app for all text messages and calls.
That means when you ask voice assistant Siri to call a friend or family member, or tap a phone number on a webpage, your iPhone will automatically launch WhatsApp and place the call – not the preinstalled Messages and Phone app. With voicemail functionality in testing by the teams at Meta, WhatsApp is now a fully-featured replacement for both of these Apple-developed apps.
To make WhatsApp your go-to messaging and calling app, you’ll need to head to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, and select WhatsApp in the Messaging and Calling categories.
If you’re on Android, you’ve been able to tweak the default services that your handset uses. If you want to switch to WhatsApp, head to Settings, then tap Apps > Choose Default Apps > Phone App.
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The voicemail feature remains limited to certain Android beta testers, with no indication of when it might become available to all users. WhatsApp hasn’t announced any timeline for a public release either.
For now, if you’re eager to try this voicemail-style feature, you’ll need to be part of WhatsApp’s Android beta testing programme and hope you’re among the selected testers who have access.
To join the testing program, navigate to the WhatsApp page in the Google Play, and then select the Join button under the Join The Beta section of the app listing. It’s important to note that there are limited spots, so the “Become a Tester” button may not always be available.
As with most experimental features discovered in beta versions, there’s no guarantee this functionality will eventually reach the general public.
