Does the other person need WhatsApp to call?

Can You Call Someone on WhatsApp if They Don’t Have It?

The short answer is no. WhatsApp calling relies on both parties having the app installed and active. It’s not like calling a regular phone number where the call travels through traditional phone lines. Think of it more like a video game chat – both players need to be logged into the same game to communicate.

WhatsApp calls work by using your internet connection to transmit voice and video data. This means both you and the person you’re trying to call need to be running the WhatsApp application, which acts as the conduit for this data. If the other person doesn’t have WhatsApp installed, there’s no application on their end to receive and interpret the incoming call data. Therefore, the call simply won’t go through.

This is true regardless of whether you’re attempting a voice or video call through WhatsApp. The principle remains the same: mutual app usage is a fundamental requirement. Even if they have a working phone number and a stable internet connection through other means, without the WhatsApp app, they’re unreachable through the platform’s calling feature.

So, before you attempt a WhatsApp call, ensure the other person has the app installed and an active internet connection. Otherwise, you’ll need to resort to traditional calling methods or another messaging platform where they’re registered.