Want to make international WhatsApp calls? Here’s all you need to know

International calls can be costly, so if you have any close friends or family members abroad, you are already one of them who spends a lot to hear the voices of people you miss often. Here, WhatsApp comes to the rescue because it allows us to make voice and video calls over the internet for absolutely free, but it also comes with a twist. Let’s have a look at all that you need to know to make the most of the WhatsApp international calls.

Want to make international WhatsApp calls? Here’s all you need to know

With over 2.0 billion monthly users around the world, WhatsApp, the most used messenger app, connects us to anyone and everyone who uses the app from anywhere in this world. One needs to have an active internet connection (Wi-Fi/mobile data) in order to use WhatsApp.

How to make a WhatsApp voice call

Make sure you are connected to the internet through wi-fi or mobile data. Open WhatsApp > Tap on the contact thread or open it from the Search menu > Tap the Call button. Yes, it’s that simple to make a voice/video call to your friend who is over 1000 miles away from you.

Related: How to create a WhatsApp chat with yourself

How to make a WhatsApp video call

Making a video call through WhatsApp is similar to making a voice call. Open WhatsApp > Select the contact and open it > Tap the Video button on the top.

You need to have a good internet connection to make a video call. Though, if you are not impressed with the quality of WhatsApp’s video calls, you may take a look at Google Duo.

How to make a WhatsApp Group call

While you are allowed to make video and voice calls through WhatsApp, there is one more important feature which WhatsApp supports. i.e., Group/conference call. Create a group or open the group you are already in > Click the Phone+ icon on the top right of the group > Add the contacts one by one > Click the voice call or video call button. Group calls can have a maximum of four people, so you can add as many as three people into the call.

Related: How to save notes on WhatsApp

Can you make a WhatsApp call to anyone in the world

Here comes the hard truth. WhatsApp allows you to call anyone in the world but not to those living in China, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, and the UAE due to privacy, security and local reasons of the respective country.

Some of the common reasons are as follows; China and UAE have their own personal reason like the promotion of their own telecommunication service providers and strong firewall encryption features which restricts VoIP feature. Cuba, Iran, and Syria have their own security and privacy concerns when it comes to how WhatsApp uses data.

Related: How to schedule a WhatsApp message

Can you make WhatsApp calls despite the ban

These restrictions don’t mean a full ban on WhatsApp, as only calls are not allowed. These countries ban a variety of VoIP apps and allow fewer apps to promote the growth of local companies. The Government of these countries may allow WhatsApp calls in the future but nothing is set in stone.

However, with the use of VPN, you can work your way around it. The user residing in the country where it is banned has to connect to an IP address of the country where WhatsApp not banned. Here’s how: Download a VPN app from Play Store, open it, and then select any of the countries where WhatsApp calling is not banned. Tap the Home button on your phone to leave the VPN app running in the background, and then open WhatsApp. Make a call now, it should work.


Do you need any help with making international calls using WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments bow below.

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