--- title: "iPhone users can now use WhatsApp as their default calling and messaging app: Here’s how" description: "iPhone users can now set WhatsApp as their default calling and messaging app with iOS 17.4. Here’s how to enable this game-changing feature." author: "Meet Patel" published: 2025-03-31 updated: 2025-04-01 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/news/4451/iphone-users-can-now-use-whatsapp-as-their-default-calling-and-messaging-app-here-s-how category: "iphone" tags: ["iphone", "whatsapp"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # iPhone users can now use WhatsApp as their default calling and messaging app: Here’s how [Apple](https://www.mindstick.com/news/4314/apple-intelligence-launching-in-india-this-april-confirms-ceo-tim-cook) has recently enabled its iPhones’ users to use WhatsApp for calls and messaging as a default [application](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12824/calculator-application-in-android) in iOs 17.4. This update allows Mac users to circumvent Apple's native apps making the [communication](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/126321/5-fails-and-fixes-of-the-office-communication) seamless. Incoming calls and messages can be answered, rejected or sent to voicemail through Siri, contact, or third-party apps which in some ways makes [iPhones](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/305222/10-iphone-features-to-help-protect-your-data) resemble the android phones. Here’s how to enable it. ### Highlights: - iOS 17.4 lets users set WhatsApp as their default calling and [messaging app](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/95930/indian-army-launched-an-in-house-messaging-app-what-is-the-name-of-the-app). - Calls and messages can be initiated via [Siri](https://www.mindstick.com/news/4231/apple-agrees-to-pay-95-million-to-settle-siri-privacy-lawsuit), Contacts, or third-party apps. - Users must update their iPhone and tweak settings to activate this feature. - This change gives [iPhone users](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/110685/how-to-proportion-area-on-google-maps-with-iphone-users-with-out-app-download) more control over their preferred communication apps. - The update bridges the customization gap between iPhones and Android devices To make WhatsApp the default app, a [user needs](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/22969/an-android-application-needs-to-access-device-data-e-g-sms-messages-camera-etc-at-what-stage-user-needs-to-grant-the-permissions) to upgrade the iPhone to iOS 17.4; there is a [Default Apps](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/111249/how-to-change-default-apps-on-android) option under Settings; and then a user selects WhatsApp. This setting simply means that all notifications and requests from Contacts or Siri will open WhatsApp. This saves time from having to switch back and forth, which corresponds to the new trend in Apple’s platform of relying on third parties. [WhatsApp](https://www.mindstick.com/news/4437/whatsapp-working-on-motion-photos-support-for-android) has gone further in integrating with iOS, making the messaging service more consistent across the two platforms. Those who have preferred using WhatsApp than Apple's iMessage can have a centrally integrated communication service. This update makes it convenient since it makes messages and calls to go through WhatsApp. Apple has also embraced a more open approach when it comes to outside services thus improving iPhone flexibility. Apple’s decision helps users to choose what they prefer without the ability to compromise the security of the iGadget. Making use of WhatsApp as the default app preferable to regular calling can be explained by the following advantages for users. This change also enhances the primary form of communication of the application – WhatsApp. Thus, as Apple develops further, its iPhone clients can expect even more of them to be tailored to the device and make such Android-like options for a user as feasible. --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/news/4451/iphone-users-can-now-use-whatsapp-as-their-default-calling-and-messaging-app-here-s-how Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.