WhatsApp has long since evolved from being just a text-based messaging app into a full-fledged communication platform. From instant messaging to video calls and even payment features in some regions, the app has become a Swiss army knife for digital conversations. Now, WhatsApp seems to be exploring a feature that feels like a blast from the past — the ability to leave a voicemail after a missed call.
This idea is reminiscent of the pre-smartphone era when unanswered calls often ended up in voicemail inboxes. Except this time, it's coming to your chat window.
What's Being Tested
According to a report from WABetaInfo, the feature is currently being tested in the Android 2.25.23.21 beta build. The way it works is fairly simple: if you make a WhatsApp call and the other person doesn't pick up, you'll see a new option to record a voice message right from the call screen. The button sits neatly between "cancel" and "call again."
Additionally, the same option will appear in the chat window, attached to the missed call bubble, making it contextually tied to the missed call itself.
Why Not Just Send A Regular Voice Message?
At first glance, this might feel unnecessary. After all, WhatsApp already lets you send voice notes or text messages at any time. But there's a subtle difference here: the voicemail-style message is directly linked to the missed call notification.
This means that when the recipient sees the missed call, the attached voice message will stand out more prominently. Instead of being buried in a sea of unread texts or media files, it's clearly marked as a response to the call attempt. That small design choice could make people more likely to listen to it — similar to how traditional voicemails often commanded attention.
Will Users Actually Use It?
The usefulness of this feature will ultimately depend on how people adopt it. For some, it might feel redundant and unnecessary, while for others, it could become a handy way to quickly explain why they called without the risk of their message getting ignored.
It's also worth considering cultural habits. In some regions, voice messages are already extremely popular, while in others, people still prefer text. WhatsApp's experiment might bridge these behaviors by making voice responses a more natural extension of missed calls.
Still In Testing Phase
For now, this feature is only available to a select group of beta testers. Even then, it's not guaranteed that every beta user can see or use it yet. WhatsApp often rolls out experimental features gradually, and sometimes, ideas tested in beta never make it to the final version.
If this voicemail-style feature does gain traction, though, it could be another small but meaningful way WhatsApp continues blending old-school communication methods with modern digital convenience.
