WhatsApp's calling feature allows anyone with your phone number to contact you, which can sometimes lead to interruptions from unknown numbers. These unknown callers might be individuals you haven't previously contacted or saved in your contacts list. Fortunately, WhatsApp offers built-in privacy controls that let you manage these calls effectively.
Understanding WhatsApp's Silence Unknown Callers Feature
By activating the Silence Unknown Callers setting in WhatsApp, you can prevent your phone from ringing when calls come from numbers not saved in your contacts. This feature helps you concentrate on meaningful conversations while safeguarding your privacy and reducing unwanted disturbances.
Key Benefits of Silencing Unknown Callers
- Blocks Interruptions: Effectively stops spam, promotional, or potential scam calls from disrupting your daily activities.
- Maintains Call Records: Silenced calls are still logged in your WhatsApp call history, allowing you to review and return them if necessary.
- Enhances Communication Safety: Adds an additional privacy layer by ensuring only trusted contacts can reach you directly via calls.
How to Enable Silence Unknown Callers on Android
- Open the WhatsApp application on your Android smartphone or tablet.
- Tap the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the screen to access the menu.
- Select Settings from the dropdown options.
- Navigate to Privacy within the Settings menu.
- Scroll down until you find the Calls section.
- Toggle the switch next to Silence Unknown Callers to enable this feature.
How to Enable Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone
- Launch the WhatsApp app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Settings icon situated in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Choose Privacy from the Settings menu.
- Scroll to the Calls option.
- Switch on the Silence Unknown Callers setting by toggling the button.
Managing Silenced Calls and Important Notes
Once enabled, silenced calls from unknown numbers will appear in your WhatsApp Calls tab and notifications, but your device will not ring. You can return these calls directly from the Calls tab or by tapping the Silenced unknown caller message within a chat.
Important Consideration: If you initiate a call or send a message to a previously silenced caller, WhatsApp will no longer silence future calls from that number. To permanently stop receiving calls from specific WhatsApp users, you can use the block feature available in the app's privacy settings.
