WhatsApp voice calls now available on JioPhone, other KaiOS devices

WhatsApp on KaiOS devices like the JioPhone and the JioPhone 2 now supports voice calls with the latest update.

WhatsApp voice calls on KaiOS (WhatsApp)

WhatsApp has announced that it is enabling VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for KaiOS devices which brings support for voice calls on the app. WhatsApp users on KaiOS devices like the JioPhone and JioPhone 2 will now be able to make voice calls using Wi-Fi or mobile data. The new feature is possibly the biggest update in a long time for WhatsApp on KaiOS.

Voice calls on WhatsApp will be available with the latest version 2.2110.41 of the app. The update also requires at least 512MB RAM on the KaiOS device. WhatsApp will show a notification of the new update on existing KaiOS devices. Users will have to accept the update notification to activate the new feature. For new KaiOS devices, voice calls will be included in the latest version of WhatsApp that comes pre-installed.

“People are relying on WhatsApp now more than ever to communicate and stay in touch with their loved ones. We want to support communities who are on lighter operating systems in many places around the world. Bringing WhatsApp voice calls to KaiOS-enabled devices helps us connect the world privately through a service that is simple, reliable and accessible to everyone - no matter what kind of mobile device they're using,” said Matt Idema, COO of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp launched its KaiOS app back in mid-2019. WhatsApp on KaiOS comes with the basic features that the messaging app offers. Other than chats, users can also share media like photos and videos, contacts and location. Users can also share voice messages on WhatsApp, a feature that is widely used by KaiOS users. WhatsApp's Joe Grinstead revealed last year that the company is working on bringing the ‘Status' feature for its KaiOS app. With this feature WhatsApp users on KaiOS will be able to share photos and videos that last for 24 hours as their Status. Grinstead added that more features are being worked on for WhatsApp on KaiOS.