Yes, you can still receive regular phone calls even while you are on a WhatsApp video call. WhatsApp uses your phone’s data connection for video calls, so it does not occupy the regular voice calling capability of your phone. This allows your phone to continue receiving incoming calls as normal.
How WhatsApp Video Calls Work
WhatsApp video calling utilizes your phone’s internet data connection rather than the regular voice calling network. Here is a more detailed overview:
- WhatsApp video calls require an internet connection, either WiFi or mobile data.
- They do not use your phone’s regular calling network, which relies on your cellular provider.
- Video calls are transmitted as data packets rather than as a regular voice call.
- Your phone’s calling ability remains available even during an ongoing WhatsApp video call.
- This allows you to continue receiving incoming calls as per normal.
In contrast, a regular phone call occupies your phone’s calling network to connect the call. But WhatsApp video calls bypass this entirely and use data instead. This is why both capabilities can work simultaneously.
Receiving Regular Calls During a WhatsApp Video Call
If you receive an incoming regular phone call while on a WhatsApp video call, it will appear just as it normally would. Your phone will ring or vibrate to alert you of the incoming call.
You have the option to either:
- Answer the incoming call, which ends the WhatsApp call.
- Reject or ignore the incoming call, allowing your WhatsApp call to continue uninterrupted.
If you answer the regular call, the WhatsApp video call will be disconnected. This is because your phone cannot be on two simultaneous voice calls, so it will switch to the incoming regular call.
However, you can simply rejoin the WhatsApp call once your regular call ends. WhatsApp will show an option allowing you to dial back into the call as long as the other participant has not hung up yet.
Limitations
While WhatsApp call capability remains fully intact during video calls, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Incoming regular calls will cause audio disruptions to the WhatsApp call while they ring.
- If you answer the regular call, it will end the WhatsApp call.
- Poor internet connectivity can degrade both call and video quality.
- Using other bandwidth-intensive apps may impact video call performance.
The ringing of incoming calls can be disruptive if you are in an important WhatsApp call. And you may have to restart the video call if you choose to answer the incoming call.
Additionally, WhatsApp call quality depends on having a good internet connection. Slow/unstable connections will lower audio and video quality. And using other data-heavy apps while on a WhatsApp call can slow things down further.
Tips for Managing Both Simultaneously
Here are some tips to help you efficiently manage regular calls and WhatsApp video calls happening at the same time:
- Silence incoming call ringtones to avoid disruptions during important WhatsApp calls.
- Use do not disturb modes or call forwarding to manage incoming calls.
- Have stable WiFi or cellular data to ensure WhatsApp call performance.
- Pause other bandwidth-intensive activities to prioritize the WhatsApp call.
- Let callers know you are on a WhatsApp call but will return their call shortly.
- Schedule WhatsApp video calls when you are unlikely to receive other important calls.
Having robust connectivity and minimizing clashing incoming calls will provide you with the best experience. But even if regular calls do come in, you can manage them without completely ending your WhatsApp call.
Can I Place a Regular Call During a WhatsApp Video Call?
You cannot initiate a regular voice call from your phone while you are in an active WhatsApp video call. Your phone’s calling functionality is locked into the data-based WhatsApp call at that point.
However, you do have a couple options:
- You can use a secondary device like a laptop or tablet to place regular calls via apps while your phone is on the WhatsApp call.
- You can put the WhatsApp call on hold which frees up your phone’s calling capacity. You can then place a regular call.
The simplest option is to tell the other party you will call them back shortly after your WhatsApp call ends. This avoids having to juggle two calls simultaneously.
WhatsApp Call Tools and Features
WhatsApp provides various tools that can help you manage video calls more effectively:
- Call Waiting – Allows you to put one WhatsApp call on hold to answer another incoming WhatsApp call.
- Call Merge – Lets you merge two separate WhatsApp calls together into one call with multiple participants.
- Call Mute – Mutes your microphone during a WhatsApp call so others cannot hear you.
- Video Pause – Temporarily halts your video feed during a video call while maintaining the call.
These features give you more flexibility to multitask between various calls and video streams. They allow easier merging of calls or managing of multiple WhatsApp calls simultaneously.
You can also use regular phone features like do not disturb, call forwarding, and contact blacklisting to better manage high call volumes. Activating do not disturb during WhatsApp video calls is a particularly useful option.
Using Multiple Devices for WhatsApp Calls
WhatsApp allows you to use the app on multiple devices and seamlessly transfer calls between them. This gives you more options for managing regular calls during WhatsApp calls:
- Answer regular calls on your secondary device while maintaining the WhatsApp call on your phone.
- Move the WhatsApp call between devices to free up your phone for regular calls.
- Manage multiple WhatsApp calls from different devices.
You can have WhatsApp on up to 4 linked devices and use it on only 1 phone at a time. This allows you to spread out calls over various devices for maximum flexibility.
The ability to transfer WhatsApp calls instantly between devices helps minimize disruptions when juggling regular calls. You can put the WhatsApp call on hold while you answer or make a regular call from your phone.
Using Dual SIM Devices
Having a dual SIM phone can provide another option for managing WhatsApp video calls and regular calls simultaneously.
Most dual SIM devices allow you to have one SIM dedicated to cellular voice calls. The other SIM can be used for just data and WhatsApp video calls.
This compartmentalizes the capabilities so one SIM handles regular calls while the other is free for uninterrupted WhatsApp video calling. Some things to note:
- Both SIMs still need active mobile data for this setup.
- Some dual SIM models don’t allow fully separate usage for each SIM.
- You may need to manually assign apps to specific SIMs.
Dual SIM phones provide maximum flexibility but also require some manual management depending on the model. Check your device capabilities before relying solely on this approach.
Dual SIM Phone Options
Here are some popular dual SIM Android phone models with flexible usage options:
| Phone | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | Allows assigning separate apps to each SIM. |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Lets you designate each SIM for specific usage like calls/data. |
| Google Pixel 7 | Separate SIM settings and dual standby mode. |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Independent dual SIM management and calling. |
These models allow dedicating one SIM for calls and the other for data-driven apps like WhatsApp. This provides one of the cleanest options for preventing call conflicts.
Using WhatsApp Desktop for Calls
The WhatsApp desktop application provides another way to continue WhatsApp video calls while managing incoming regular phone calls:
- It mirrors the WhatsApp app on your phone.
- You can transfer WhatsApp video calls seamlessly from mobile to desktop.
- This allows your phone to be free for regular calls.
- The desktop app only works when your phone is actively connected.
By moving the WhatsApp call to your computer screen, you can continue the conversation uninterrupted while taking regular calls on your phone as needed.
The desktop application is an excellent tool for maintaining WhatsApp call continuity despite regular call disruptions. But it does require keeping your phone linked and powered on.
Requirements for WhatsApp Desktop
- Linked phone must have WhatsApp version compatible with WhatsApp desktop.
- Phone must maintain an internet connection for desktop app to function.
- Desktop OS must be Windows 8.1+ or MacOS 10.13+.
- QR code on desktop must be scanned by linked phone for activation.
- Only 1 mobile device can link to a WhatsApp desktop app instance.
As long as your hardware meets the requirements, the desktop client provides a seamless way to migrate your WhatsApp video call chats from mobile to computer while freeing up your phone.
Using Headphones to Manage Multiple Calls
Wireless Bluetooth headphones provide another handy option for handling WhatsApp video calls and regular voice calls simultaneously:
- You can connect headphones to your phone for the WhatsApp call.
- This leaves your phone’s speaker free for regular incoming and outgoing calls.
- The headphones maintain continuity of the WhatsApp call during disruptions.
- Most smartphones support using the headset for one call and speaker for another.
Good wireless headphones with active pairing allow you to hear the WhatsApp call interrupted while your phone speaker handles the regular calls.
This avoids having to restart the WhatsApp call each time you take/make a regular call. As long as the headphones stay paired and connected, the WhatsApp call persists in the background.
Headphone Tips for Juggling Calls
- Check for simultaneous call support on your phone model.
- Select headphones that actively pair to your phone OS – iOS, Android, etc.
- Opt for over-ear headphones for better ambient noise blocking.
- Keep headphones charged to avoid losing connection during calls.
- Test headphones to ensure reliable Bluetooth connectivity and pairing.
With the right gear and setup, wireless headphones can provide seamless WhatsApp call persistence while you take regular calls on your phone speaker. This avoids endless call switching and retries.
Using Internet Calling Apps
Rather than relying solely on your phone’s default calling channel, internet calling apps provide an alternate voice calling capability via data:
- Popular options like Skype, Viber, and Line allow WiFi/data-based calls.
- These can be used for regular calls instead of your regular network voice calls.
- Internet calling apps typically allow simultaneous calls and WhatsApp calls.
- As apps, they integrate directly with your device’s OS for call management.
By using an internet calling channel for your regular conversations, you can avoid occupying your phone’s built-in calling functionality. This prevents it from interfering with your ongoing WhatsApp video calls.
Switching regular contacts to alternate calling apps provides more flexibility for juggling voice and WhatsApp calls. But it does require getting those contacts onboard with using a separate app.
Adjusting WhatsApp Call Settings
WhatsApp provides various settings that can help optimize call performance and help manage disruptions:
- Low data usage mode – Lowers data consumption by call quality.
- Cellular data usage for calls – Sets whether to allow mobile data for calls.
- WiFi calling – Enables calling over WiFi when signal is low.
- Ask every time before calling – Requires call confirmation before placing.
Optimizing these configurations based on your connection, usage needs, and preferences can improve call reliability. It also adds options like WiFi calling support which provides another way to maintain call continuity.
Key things to consider are enabling WiFi calling and limiting mobile data usage for calls if you have a limited plan. Disabling call confirmations can also be helpful to expedite rejoining calls.
WhatsApp Troubleshooting Settings
If you experience quality or disconnection issues during WhatsApp calls, also check the following:
- Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp
- Allow background data usage for WhatsApp
- Reboot your phone and test network strength
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Reset WhatsApp’s app cache
Optimizing these technical settings provides the best chance for stable connectivity during WhatsApp video calls and fewer disruptions when juggling other calls.
Conclusion
Regular voice calls can be received and managed even during ongoing WhatsApp video calls thanks to the differing technologies used. While this can cause some disruption to your WhatsApp conversations, there are many techniques available to minimize interruptions:
- Tools like do not disturb and call forwarding
- Using multiple devices
- Internet calling apps
- Adjusting WhatsApp settings
- Headphones and WhatsApp desktop app
Employing these solutions will allow you to maintain your WhatsApp video chat while still being able to make and receive other important regular voice calls on your phone. With some thoughtful management, both call capabilities can coexist relatively seamlessly.