How To Make International Calls On Whatsapp

So, there I was, sitting in a bustling café in Barcelona, trying to explain to my mom back home in Australia that yes, I was indeed having a wonderful time, and no, I hadn't tried paella yet. The problem? My international calling plan was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. That's when I discovered the beauty of making international calls on WhatsApp.

Why WhatsApp, you ask?

Well, let me tell you, it's a game-changer. I mean, who wants to rack up a phone bill that could fund a small country's GDP when you can use Wi-Fi to call anyone, anywhere in the world? And the best part? It's as easy as ordering a café con leche.

Let's get started, shall we?

First things first, you need to have WhatsApp installed on your phone. If you're reading this, I'm going to assume you've already mastered that step. Good job, you're off to a great start!

Now, let's say you want to call your bestie in Timbuktu. First, you need to ensure you have an active internet connection. Wi-Fi is your friend here, but if you're out and about, data will do the trick too.

Making the call

Alright, so you've got your internet sorted. Now, open up WhatsApp and navigate to the 'Calls' tab at the top. If you're using an Android, you might need to tap on the three vertical dots (⋮) to find it. If you're on iOS, it's right there, no dots required.

WhatsApp international calls: How-to guide (2026)

Once you're in the 'Calls' tab, you'll see a big, green phone icon. Tap on that bad boy, and you'll be taken to a screen where you can either make a voice call or a video call. For the sake of this guide, let's stick with a voice call. Tap on the phone icon again, and this time, you'll be prompted to enter a phone number.

Here's where it gets magical. Instead of dialing your friend's number, you can simply start typing their name in the search bar at the top. WhatsApp will pull up a list of contacts who have the app installed and are saved in your phone. Select the right person, and voila! You're ready to make your call.

But wait, there's more! If the person you're trying to call doesn't have WhatsApp, or you've entered a phone number instead of a contact name, WhatsApp will give you the option to place an international call via WhatsApp. This is where those pesky international calling charges come into play, but they're still likely to be cheaper than using your regular phone plan.

How to Make International Calls Using WhatsApp | Desktop & Mobile Guide

Calling groups

Now, let's say you want to have a group chat with your travel buddies back home. WhatsApp makes that a breeze too. Open up a group chat, and you'll see that green phone icon again. Tap on it, and you can start a group call with just a couple of taps.

And there you have it, folks! You're now a WhatsApp calling pro. No more expensive international calls, no more confusing dialing codes. Just you, your phone, and the world at your fingertips. Happy calling!

Oh, and mom? I finally tried that paella. It was delicious. I'll call you later to tell you all about it. On WhatsApp, of course.