If you’ve ever missed an important WhatsApp call and wished the caller could leave you a quick message, you’ll be happy to hear that WhatsApp is working on a solution. The Meta-owned app is currently testing a voicemail-style feature that lets you record and send a voice message right after a call goes unanswered.
How the New Feature Works
According to the team at WABetaInfo, who first spotted the feature in testing, this new tool works just like a traditional voicemail system. When your call isn’t picked up, you’ll see a new “Record voice message” button at the bottom of your screen.
It appears between the familiar “Call again” and “Cancel” options, giving you three easy ways to follow up. Instead of going back to the chat to send a voice note manually, you can just tap this button to instantly record your message. The recording then lands directly in the recipient’s chat thread, right next to the missed call notification.
A Smoother Way to Leave Messages
This small tweak makes leaving a quick voice message after a missed call much easier. No more switching between screens or digging through menus – it all happens right from the call screen itself.
WABetaInfo, who regularly uncover new updates hidden in beta releases, shared the details of this feature, which could soon make WhatsApp calling even more seamless.
Part of a Bigger Push into Calling Features
This voicemail-style option is just one of the latest improvements WhatsApp is making to its calling experience. Recently, the app has also been testing reminder notifications that nudge you to return missed calls – a handy tool if you’re the forgetful type.
It’s clear WhatsApp is putting more focus on voice calls, even though many people now rely on text and voice notes. The company seems to recognize that calls still matter, especially in urgent situations where typing just isn’t enough.
iPhone Users Already Have a Boost
This update comes only a few weeks after iPhone users gained the ability to set WhatsApp as the default app for calls and texts. Now, if you ask Siri to call someone or tap a number on a webpage, your iPhone can launch WhatsApp instead of Apple’s built-in Phone and Messages apps.
With voicemail now being tested, WhatsApp is getting closer to being a true all-in-one replacement for those native Apple apps.
If you’d like to make WhatsApp your main app, here’s how:
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and select WhatsApp under both Messaging and Calling.
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On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Choose Default Apps > Phone App and switch to WhatsApp.
Who Can Try It Now?
At the moment, the voicemail-style feature is only available to select Android beta testers. There’s no word yet on when it will roll out to everyone, and WhatsApp hasn’t announced a public release date.
If you want to try your luck, you’ll need to join WhatsApp’s Android beta testing program:
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Head to the WhatsApp page on the Google Play Store.
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Scroll down to the Join The Beta section.
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Tap Join if a spot is available.
Keep in mind that spots are limited, so the “Become a Tester” button may not always show up. And as with all beta features, there’s no guarantee it will ever make it to the official version.
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