WhatsApp call: It works great, but activations are limited
The WhatsApp call feature can be activated by receiving a call from an active user
WhatsApp’s calling was the most talked about feature last year with the tech company making a partial announcement that they will roll out the feature to the entire masses by mid-2014. However, this did not happen. WhatsApp developers were testing the calling feature by inviting a group of random users to test out the calling mode. This testing involved the amount of data used for a conventional VoIP call using WhatsApp via the internet, the call quality and the security involved while calling.
MUST READ: HOW TO: Get WhatsApp Calling enabled on your smartphone
In order to get the WhatsApp calling feature activated on the smartphone, the user needed to have an updated version of WhatsApp. A WhatsApp user with an activated calling feature then needs to make a call to a user to activate their WhatsApp with the new feature. Once you receive a call, you will see three new tabs, which lists out your chats, contacts, and voice calling group. In short, if you want to make a voice call using WhatsApp, you need to get a call from a friend/contact that has the calling feature enabled. Once you receive a call, your WhatsApp calling will also be activated and you can make voice calls to other WhatsApp users, using the internet.
Also read: 'Try WhatsApp Calling': Did you get this invitation message too?
Thousands of WhatsApp users are pleading to other users who have the calling feature enabled on their handsets, to make a call to them, so that they can also be activated. WhatsApp stated that once you make a call to another user (indirectly inviting them to use the feature), he or she can pass on the invitation to another user by simply making a call. However, there is a catch to the whole episode. Now here is an eye-opener—if you receive a voice call from a WhatsApp user/friend, you may not get activated to make future calls.
What does this mean? If you get a voice call from a WhatsApp call-activated user, you may or may not get activated. It all depends on the servers at WhatsApp, whether the calling features will be activated for you or not. WhatsApp has limited the feature to a certain number of users, devices or zones. So if you did get that call and your WhatsApp is still not activated, it is a high possibility that WhatsApp has limited the feature accordingly, from their end. If they open up the gates again for a limited time (as they are doing so), there are chances that you could tap in on the exact timing and get your WhatsApp calling feature active too. However, there are no intimations as to when will the gates open up and when it will get activated on your smartphone.
MUST READ: HOW TO: Get WhatsApp Calling enabled on your smartphone
We did test out the WhatsApp calling feature from our end. We too had a non-activated WhatsApp profile and asked a friend to activate us from his end. He called us, and we were ‘supposed’ to be activated immediately. Unfortunately, the WhatsApp servers were ‘allegedly’ down or limited at the time and we did not get activated. However, we have to say that, the WhatsApp voice call we tested was clear and definitely performing the way it is supposed to. We tried to activate the WhatsApp calling from a friend two days ago and also again today (March 9) and witnessed the same issue. Though the voice call worked and was clear to speak over the data networks, out WhatsApp was not able to get activated. We are grateful to the two friends who helped us try out the WhatsApp feature.
If you want to activate your WhatsApp with the voice calling feature, we shall inform you as soon as we get to know when the server gates are open. Stay tuned to the Technology section on Deccan Chronicle, like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter to get an instant alert when the WhatsApp servers are active. We shall give out a few mobile numbers from which we will call you to activate your WhatsApp. Don’t miss out on the opportunity. All you would need to do is the following:
- Add the given number(s) to your contact list
- Sync your contacts with WhatsApp
- Send us the following message on WhatsApp: ‘Hi. My name is <your name>. Please call me on WhatsApp’.
- Once you receive the call, you may take the call and thank the guys on the other end.
Your WhatsApp should be enabled after that. However, we still cannot assure you that the feature will be enabled for you if the WhatsApp servers go down again at that moment. Kindly bear with us as we cannot promise you the calling feature.
Note: Do not entertain any WhatsApp message or email that states he/she has invited you to get the WhatsApp feature enabled. Many of these messages are fake and you could end up with a virus or malware on your smartphone and risk your privacy. Read the article below to find out more.
MUST READ: HOW TO: Get WhatsApp Calling enabled on your smartphone
Read: 'Try WhatsApp Calling': Did you get this invitation message too?