iPhone users can now choose WhatsApp as their default app for calls and text messages, The Verge reports. The feature was originally announced only for the European Union, but with the release of iOS 18.2, Apple has made it available to all iPhone owners.
Once WhatsApp is installed by default, the system will automatically open it when you tap on a phone number on a web page or select the “Send Message” option in your contacts. This will make communication much easier for users who actively use the messenger.
WhatsApp developers have been working in this direction for a while now. Earlier, they added the ability to manually enter numbers in the call section, as well as a feature to check whether a number is registered with WhatsApp or belongs to a verified business account.
How to set WhatsApp as default?
To set WhatsApp as your default app, you need to:
- Open ” settings ” iPhone.
- Go to “apps” → ” default apps”.
- In the “messages” and “calls” categories, select WhatsApp.
As WABetaInfo notes, the setup process is intuitive and only takes a few seconds.
When will the feature become available?
Currently, the option to select WhatsApp as the default app is available to beta users via TestFlight. It is expected to be activated for all iPhone owners in the coming days.