For years, many business owners kept asking me when WATI would introduce a calling option inside WhatsApp. The wait is over. WATI has now introduced WhatsApp Calling through the official WhatsApp Cloud API.
But before you get excited and assume you can call anyone instantly, there are important rules and restrictions you must understand first. This feature works differently from normal WhatsApp calls. If you ignore the requirements, the calling feature will not work for your business.
This guide explains everything simply so that even non-tech users can understand it clearly.
What is WhatsApp Calling in WATI?
This feature allows businesses to make calls to customers through the WhatsApp Cloud API inside the WATI platform.
It does not work from the normal WhatsApp app. It does not work from the WATI mobile app. You can only start calls from WATI Web.
The purpose is to help qualified businesses close leads faster and improve sales conversions.
Who Can Use WhatsApp Calling?
Not everyone can enable this feature immediately. Meta has strict eligibility rules.
Minimum Requirement
To unlock WhatsApp Calling, your WhatsApp Business number must have:
At least 1,000 business-initiated conversations in a rolling 24-hour period
If your business is not yet reaching that volume, calling will not be activated. This is not a bug or issue, it is Meta’s rule.
You Must Get Permission Before Calling
You cannot call customers without their approval. WhatsApp protects users from spam.
Permission Rules
• You can send 1 permission request every 24 hours
• You can send a maximum of 2 requests within 7 days
• If the customer approves, you can call any time within the next 7 days
• If they decline, you must wait 24 hours before asking again
If a call goes unanswered, WhatsApp may automatically ask the customer whether they want to continue receiving calls.
Call Frequency Limits
Once permission is approved, you can make:
• Up to 5 connected calls every 24 hours per customer
A WhatsApp Business number can support:
• 1,000 inbound calls at the same time
• 1,000 outbound calls at the same time
This is not for telemarketing or spam calling. It is for real business communication.
Supported Countries
Business-initiated calling works only for phone numbers in:
- USA
- Canada
- Egypt
- Turkey
- Vietnam
- Nigeria
- India
A customer can live anywhere, but the phone number must belong to one of these supported countries.
So for India, business-initiated calling is not yet supported.
What WhatsApp Calling Does Not Support
• No call recording
• No voice transcription
• Not available on WATI mobile app
• Cannot be used for bulk cold calling
If you expected call center functions, this is not it.
How to Enable WhatsApp Calling in WATI
Step by Step
- Log in to WATI Dashboard
- Open Settings and find Calling API Access
- Submit the activation request
- Wait for approval
- Create a call permission template in WATI
- Send permission requests to customers
- Once approved, initiate calls from WATI Web
Skipping steps will cause activation failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to call?
Yes. Always.
Does this work in India?
Yes
Can I call without the 1000-message requirement?
No.
Can I make calls from WATI mobile?
No. Only WATI Web.
Can I record calls?
No.
How do I view call logs?
In your Team Inbox, click the Call icon. You can switch between Missed and All Call Logs to see call details.
The Truth You Need to Hear
WhatsApp Calling will not fix weak marketing or poor follow-up systems.
If you do not already have strong lead flow, good messaging, and consistent follow-ups, calling will not magically increase your sales.
Fix the fundamentals first:
• Better leads
• Faster responses
• Proper lead management
• Clear follow-up journey
Then use calling as a conversion booster, not a desperate survival tool.
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