In a surprising shift, Apple now allows iPhone users to set WhatsApp as their default calling and messaging app. With this update, tapping a phone number no longer has to launch the Phone or Messages app—WhatsApp can now take over instead.
Apple Loosens Its Grip on Default Apps
For years, Apple tightly controlled how calls and texts worked on iPhones. If you wanted to make a call, you had to use the Phone app. Texting? It went through iMessage or SMS by default. But with iOS 18.2, Apple has relaxed these restrictions, giving third-party apps like WhatsApp the ability to take the lead.
If you already rely on WhatsApp for most of your calls and chats, making it your default is a simple switch:
- Update WhatsApp to version 25.8.74 from the App Store.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
- Under Messaging, select WhatsApp.
- Go back, tap Calling, and set it to WhatsApp as well.
Now, whenever you tap a number—whether from Safari, Contacts, or another app—your iPhone will automatically route the call through WhatsApp. The same goes for texts, which will now default to WhatsApp instead of iMessage or SMS.
Why This Matters
Apple originally planned to roll out this change only in the EU, following pressure from new regulations. However, in a move that caught many by surprise, they made it available worldwide in iOS 18.2. Whether this is a strategic decision or a sign of more changes ahead, one thing is clear: Apple is gradually giving users more control over their devices.
Of course, regular calls and SMS will still work as usual. If you dial a number directly from your call log, it will default to the Phone app—unless your previous call was made through WhatsApp.
Will You Make the Switch?
Are you ready to make WhatsApp your go-to app for calls and texts, or will you stick with Apple’s built-in options? Either way, it’s refreshing to finally have a choice.
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