No More App Switching! WhatsApp Testing In-App Dialer for Direct Calls

Calls on WhatsApp just got smoother. The Meta-owned messaging giant is reportedly rolling out a new feature that will allow users to directly dial a phone number and initiate a call without leaving the app. This will eliminate the need to switch between WhatsApp and the phone’s native dialer, providing a more streamlined calling experience.

WABetaInfo noticed the feature and noted: “In the article about WhatsApp Android 2.24.9.28 beta update, we announced that WhatsApp is working on a feature to bring a dialer to the app.”

“With this feature, WhatsApp aims to improve the convenience of its users by allowing calls to be made directly within the app without having to save contacts in the address book. It seems that WhatsApp has finally tested this feature to the public as some users in the beta program can now experience a new floating action button in the call tab,” It added.

How does the in-app dialer work?

WABetaInfo revealed details about the new features. Here’s what we can expect:

  • Dedicated dialer button: A new floating action button inside the call tab will likely serve as an access point to the in-app dialer.
  • Dialing freedom: Users no longer need to save numbers as contacts before making a call. This provides greater flexibility for one-off calls or quick communications with unsaved numbers.
  • Seamless integration: The dialer is expected to be seamlessly integrated with WhatsApp’s existing calling features. This means you will be able to initiate and manage calls using the same interface as before.
  • Message shortcuts: One interesting new addition is reportedly a message shortcut within the dialer screen. This would allow users who initially planned to make a phone call to switch to sending a message, all within the same app.

How usable is the in-app dialer feature?

The in-app dialer feature is currently in beta. The feature is rolling out to testers on Android who have installed the latest update from the Google Play Store. If testing goes well, we expect to roll it out more broadly to all WhatsApp users in the coming days.

What are the benefits of the in-app dialer feature?

The introduction of an in-app dialer brings several benefits:

Convenience: Switching between apps to make calls can be disruptive. The in-app dialer eliminates that hassle and keeps communications centralized within WhatsApp.

Faster communication: Initiating calls directly from WhatsApp can save valuable time, especially for users who frequently communicate with people who are not saved in their contacts.

Simplified experience: The new feature seamlessly integrates calling into the existing WhatsApp ecosystem, creating a more unified user experience.

WABetaInfo mentioned: “We believe this feature can add a new level of convenience to the calling experience as it allows users to more efficiently initiate calls directly from the app. Users can initiate calls faster without the intermediate steps of saving contacts or searching for a specific conversation, making the process of new interactions easier.”

“Users will also have the option to save important numbers to their contacts instantly when entering them into the in-app dialer, ensuring that important contacts are always available. Also worth noting is that this feature will notify users if the phone number they entered is already registered on WhatsApp, allowing them to instantly know if they can contact that contact using WhatsApp,” It added.

With the launch of the in-app dialer, WhatsApp is taking steps towards becoming a one-stop shop for communications. Whether you prefer texting, voice calls or video chats, the platform is evolving to provide a comprehensive and convenient user experience.

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