Enable calls on WhatsApp
As I mentioned in the introduction, enable calls on WhatsApp it's not complicated at all: all you have to do is go to your smartphone store and update the messaging app to the latest version available. If the app is up to date but you are still unable to make calls on WhatsApp, however, you must make sure that you have granted it the necessary permissions to access the microphone, the camera and the 3G / 4G network (in the first case you could not make the calls, in the second you would not be able to make them via the data network).
Android
WhatsApp introduced VoIP calls on Android in March 2015, with the version 2.12.19 of its application (which of course has now been "superseded" by other much more recent builds). If the version of WhatsApp installed on your device is earlier than 2.12.19, download the latest version available for your device by following the steps below.
First, open the drawer (the screen with the icons of all the apps installed on the device) and launch the Google Play Store pressing the icon depicting the colorful triangle. At this point, tap the button (≡) at the top left, select the item Le mie app ei miei giochi from the bar that appears on the side, select WhatsApp from the list of applications to be updated and first presses the button Update and eventually on Accept to download the latest update available.
If you have a phone without Google applications (and therefore without the Play Store), try downloading the package apk of WhatsApp and to reinstall the application using the latter. Find all the information you need in my tutorial on how to update WhatsApp for free. Before reinstalling the application, I recommend that you make a backup copy of your conversations, so as not to lose them. If you remember, I explained how in my guide on recovering WhatsApp conversations on Android.
Finally, I suggest you take a look at the Android settings and check that the automatic app update function is active, in order to avoid missing out on the new features that will be introduced in the coming months on WhatsApp. How you do it? Very simple: open the Play Store, pigia sul pulsating (≡) collocato in alto a sinistra and selects the voice Settings from the bar that appears laterally. Therefore, it is on the voice Automatic app update, scegli l'opzione Automatic app update via Wi-Fi only from the box that opens and that's it.
To be sure you can take advantage of the call function on WhatsApp, also make sure that the app has the necessary permissions to access the microphone, the camera and the data network. To proceed, open the app Settings Android (the icon of thegear located on the Home screen), go to Applications> WhatsApp> Permissions and make sure that the levers located next to the words Camera, Microphone e Telephone are moved to ON.
Now you should be able to call a friend on WhatsApp by simply selecting their name from the tab Chat or from the card Contacts of the application and then pressing the icon of handset (if you want to make a voice call) or on the symbol of video camera (if you want to make a video call). Easier than that ?! If you want to learn more about the procedures for calling with WhatsApp and video calling with WhatsApp, read the guides I have just linked to you.
iPhone
The VoIP calling feature has landed on iPhone about a month later than Android, in April 2015, with the version 2.12.1 application. Also in this case, if the version of WhatsApp installed on your "iPhone by" is earlier than 2.12.1, you must update the app to the latest version available to receive the call function.
Go, therefore, toApp Store (the blue icon with the letter A in the center) and select the tab Updates located at the bottom right. At this point, look for the icon of WhatsApp in the list of apps to update, press the button Update placed next to it and wait for the download to complete.
Then I advise you to activate the automatic update download function to prevent the problem from happening again for future updates containing any new functions. To proceed, go to Settings of your iPhone by pressing the gray icon depicting the gears located on the home screen), presses on the voice iTunes Store and App Store and, if necessary, move up ON the lever located at the voice Updates.
To be sure you can take advantage of the VoIP calling function on WhatsApp, also make sure that the app has the necessary permissions to access the microphone, the camera and the data network. To proceed, open the app Settings di iOS (l'icon grigia with gli gears located on the Home screen), presses on the item WhatsApp (at the bottom) and make sure that the levers located next to the words Microphone, Camera e Cellular data are moved to ON.
Now you should finally be able to call a friend on WhatsApp: to do this you simply have to select his name from the card Chat or from the card Contacts of the application and then press the icon of handset (if you want to make a voice call) or on the symbol of video camera (if you want to make a video call). Simple, right? However, if you want more information on how to call with WhatsApp and how to video call with WhatsApp, take a look at the insights I have just linked to you.
Enable the ringtone for WhatsApp calls
You have enabled the call function on WhatsApp but, by mistake, you have disabled it ringer setting it as silent? Quiet: you can remedy the situation by re-enabling the ringtone from the application settings (on Android) or from those of iOS (on iPhone).
Android
To enable the ringtone for WhatsApp calls on Android, open the messaging app on your device, press the button depicting the three dots which is located at the top right and selects the item Notifications from the menu that opens. Then locate the section Call notifications (located at the bottom), presses on the voice Ringtone, select one of the ringtones among those proposed (eg. Bloom, A, etc.) and press on OK to save the changes made.
While you're at it, I also recommend that you check that you haven't turned off all notifications from WhatsApp (although, in theory, the phone should ring anyway). To do this, open the app Settings of your device (the icon depicting the gears located on the Home screen) and then go to Notifications> Applications> WhatsApp and make sure notifications have not been turned off.
iPhone
Su iPhone there is no possibility to silence the ringtone of calls coming specifically from WhatsApp, but as you already know it is possible to silence the sounds of all notifications received on your iPhone by setting it to silent mode. If when you receive calls on WhatsApp your iPhone does not ring, obviously you have "silenced" it and, to remedy the situation, you simply have to move to ON the physical switch lever which is located on the side edge of your iPhone (in practice the orange stripe should not be visible).
Also check that the mode is not activated Do not disturb: calls up the Control Center iOS device (by swiping from bottom to top on iPhone 8/8 Plus or earlier or by swiping down from the top right corner on iPhone X) and tap on the month if this is colored purple. Alternatively, open the app Settings (the gray icon depicting the gears located on the Home screen), presses on the item Do not disturb and move up OFF the switch located near the wording Do not disturb. Semplice, see?
