Screenshot: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
For the first time on an iPhone, you can set WhatsApp as the default calling and messaging app. The feature remains exclusive to the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS, but should soon expand to the public build.
WhatsApp is the first major app to adopt the necessary APIs, enabling you to replace Apple’s Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone.
WhatsApp can now replace your iPhone’s Phone and Messages apps
Apple introduced an option to change the default Calling and Messaging app on iPhones with iOS 18.2. It also released the necessary APIs that third-party apps could use to appear as an alternative.
Meta’s WhatsApp is among the first to integrate these APIs, at least in beta. As spotted by WABetaInfo, after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.8.10.74, you can set it as the default app for calls and texts on your iPhone, replacing Apple’s Phone and Messages apps.
WhatsApp isn’t as popular in the US as in Asia and other regions. So, you might not be as excited about finally being able to replace Messages with WhatsApp as your iPhone’s default texting app.
Once changed, your iPhone will automatically use WhatsApp for texts and calls.
Set WhatsApp as your iPhone’s go-to calling and texting app
To set WhatsApp as the default calling and messaging app, open the Settings menu. From there, navigate to Apps > Default apps and select Default Messaging App or Default Calling App. From the list that appears, select WhatsApp to set it as the default choice.
As of now, you can only set WhatsApp as your preferred texting/calling app if you are on its beta channel. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until WhatsApp pushes this change to the stable channel.
This improvement to WhatsApp comes within months of the company improving the calling experience on its app with higher-resolution video and more effects.
