“Leave a message after the tone.” This familiar prompt allows us to explain our reason for calling when a phone call is missed. However, this hasn’t been the case for calls via messaging apps. Despite their popularity, most, including WhatsApp, haven’t provided a voicemail option—until now.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets you leave a message after a missed call. Although not yet available to all beta testers, some are seeing it in the latest beta version.
Here’s how it works: If your call on WhatsApp isn’t picked up, you’ll usually have options to call again or cancel. With the newest beta version, a third option, “Record voice message,” may appear. This option is also accessible within your chat thread with that contact, beneath the missed call alert.
When you send a voice message using this feature, it is added to your ongoing conversation, retaining the missed call notification for the other person to see. While sending voice messages on WhatsApp isn’t new, integrating this ability with calls offers added convenience.
Should WhatsApp introduce this feature to the public, it would join a few other apps, such as FaceTime, which also offers users the ability to leave audio or video messages for missed calls.
How to install the WhatsApp beta:
To try out this feature and other early WhatsApp updates, you’ll likely need an Android device. Although a WhatsApp beta exists for iOS, it remains consistently full on TestFlight.
For Android users, you can enroll in the WhatsApp beta here. Once registered, download the official WhatsApp app from the Play Store if you haven’t already, or wait for the next update. The beta will be distributed through the official app, so you’ll receive updates via standard Play Store processes.