Jio Phone and other KaiOS feature phones get WhatsApp voice call update

Highlights
  • WhatsApp voice calls feature is now rolling out to Jio Phone and other KaiOS feature phones worldwide.
  • WhatsApp calling works with VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology.
  • WhatsApp application was added to KaiOS operating system back in September 2018.

Jio Phone has received the WhatsApp voice call update finally. The feature is also rolling out to other KaiOS-based feature phones across the world. The WhatsApp voice call feature works on VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology and requires users to have an active Wi-Fi mobile data connectivity for the calls to go through. Jio Phone and other KaiOS feature phone users need to update WhatsApp to the latest V2.2110.41 version to get the WhatsApp voice calling feature. Once enabled, users can make WhatsApp voice calls from Options > Voice Calls on any chat thread. Additionally, users can also attend WhatsApp voice calls on their feature phones just like normal calls but as said, it should be connected to either WI-Fi or cellular internet to receive calls via the instant messaging app.

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Matt Idema, COO of WhatsApp, in a statement, said: “Bringing WhatsApp voice calls to KaiOS-enabled devices helps us connect the world privately through a service that is simple, reliable, and accessible to everyone – no matter what kind of mobile device they’re using.

Together with WhatsApp, we are taking another significant step towards the goal to make essential, useful services accessible for everyone, including underserved communities, seniors looking for simple devices, and those using KaiOS devices as a companion phone. Now with the voice calling feature, users can easily place a call anytime anywhere in a cost-effective way,” said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies.

WhatsApp was made available to the KaiOS operating system back in September 2018. It even claimed the crown of being the top KaiOS non-system app with the highest monthly active users worldwide. For regular smartphones, WhatsApp had introduced its voice calling feature on smartphones back in February 2015. However, the feature was added to the desktop app for Windows and Mac only in March this year.