Currently, if you want to call someone on WhatsApp, you have to save the target person as a contact first.
But WABetaInfo, a site that specialises in discovering upcoming WhatsApp features, has discovered an exciting change in Beta 2.24.9.28 for Android: the ability to call any phone number – not just those saved as a contact.
So, what will this look like? According to WABetaInfo, it’ll take the form of a simple dialler screen, just like you’ll find in your regular Phone app. As the screenshot below shows, it consists of the usual set of numbers and a green button to start the call.
WABetaInfo
However, this feature is still under development, and so can’t be tried yet – even if you have the beta installed (which we wouldn’t recommend on your main device).
The advantage of this is obvious: you don’t have to go through the hassle of adding a contact every time you want to call someone. This is particularly useful if you need to chat with people with whom you only have temporary contact. For example, to contacts in a hotel while on holiday or when you order goods from an online retailer.
This opens up the possibility of some people exclusively using WhatsApp to make and receive phone calls. It may be especially useful if you regularly call people in other countries, where Wi-Fi is often free or cheap but international calls often experience.
However, it’s not yet clear when WhatsApp owners Meta plan to roll out this feature to users around the world.
You may also be interested in two other features coming to WhatsApp: contact notes and favourites.
A version of this article was original published on our sibling title PC-Welt and has been translated and adapted to appear here.