WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that will allow users to access the in-app dialer to make voice calls. The feature is still in development and the instant messaging platform has not yet made it available to users enrolled in the Google Play beta program.
The function of the dialer is unknown, but it is believed that the feature could allow users to call numbers that are not saved in their contact list. According to recent reports, the company is also working on a nearby file sharing feature.
The feature tracker in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.24.9.28 was discovered by WABetaInfo. The feature is not currently available to beta testers, but suggests the tracker could be introduced in one of the next updates. In-app dialers can extend your app’s functionality from standard voice and video calling platforms to platforms that can call unsaved contacts and emulate real-world calling services.
The report also shared images of the feature, which is yet to be enabled in the latest beta version. It looks like a regular dialer with a green call icon and the usual arrangement of numbers and letters.
The feature tracker shows that the reason the dialer is running is still unknown. However, this feature is intended to make it easier for users to call numbers they remember and may prefer to dial instead of scrolling or searching through a contact list.
Another use case is to allow users to call numbers that are not saved in their contacts. Last year, the company introduced a feature that lets you easily chat with people who aren’t saved in your contacts. An in-app dialer can be an extension of this functionality.
Typically, users need to contact someone through an app for temporary reasons, such as scheduling a meeting, checking a delivery schedule, or making a reservation.
In these cases, saving contacts is now an unnecessary step for users. New features can reduce this need.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
