Overview
- WhatsApp users on iPhones running iOS 18.2 or later can now set the app as the default for messaging and calling functions.
- This functionality, introduced in the latest WhatsApp update (v25.8.74), is available globally and no longer limited to beta testers.
- Apple initially added support for third-party default apps in iOS 18.2, a feature originally intended for European Union users but later expanded worldwide.
- WhatsApp is the first major third-party app to adopt Apple's API for default messaging and calling apps, replacing Apple's native Phone and Messages apps when selected.
- This update reflects Apple's shift toward greater customization options and is expected to enhance convenience for users in regions where WhatsApp is widely popular.