WhatsApp Revamps Missed Calls With Voice and Video Messaging
Overview
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that replaces traditional voicemail with something more immediate and interactive. When you call someone on WhatsApp and they do not answer, you will now be prompted to record either a voice message or a video message right from the call interface. These messages appear directly in the chat once they are sent.
How the New Feature Works
Instead of leaving a silent missed call or relying on old-style voicemail, WhatsApp now gives you a prompt immediately after a call goes unanswered. That prompt lets you quickly record a voice note or video message, depending on the type of call you were trying to make. The idea is to make communication faster and less clumsy.
When the recipient opens their chat with you, they will see the message instantly without needing to navigate to separate voice or video tools in WhatsApp. This is designed to feel more like a conversation that never really ended than a traditional voicemail.
Additional Calling Improvements
This update also includes new features for ongoing voice and video calls. Users can now send reactions during voice calls. This means you can add quick emojis or reactions without breaking the flow of conversation. WhatsApp is also introducing a feature that highlights the current speaker during video calls, making group calls easier to follow.
AI Integration and Other Tools
The latest WhatsApp release builds on the company’s earlier AI efforts. WhatsApp has added image generation tools that draw on AI models from Midjourney and Flux AI. These follow partnerships that Meta secured earlier in the year. The AI tools are part of WhatsApp’s broader push to improve how users create and share content within chats.
Why This Matters
Traditional voicemail has long felt outdated in instant messaging apps. Users already prefer quick text, voice, and video notes. WhatsApp’s new feature assumes people will want to communicate more naturally when a call is missed, rather than checking and dialing back through a separate voicemail system.
This change is practical for both casual users and people who rely on WhatsApp for business communication. It reduces the steps needed to share information after a missed call, and it keeps everything inside the chat where most conversations already happen.