Can Businesses Receive WhatsApp Calls? And How Much Do They Cost?
Meta launched calling in the WhatsApp Business API. Can customers call your business on WhatsApp? When it is free, how you call them, and country limits.
Yes. Since July 2025 Meta has offered voice calls through the WhatsApp Business API: customers call your business from inside the chat for free, and you can call them after they give you permission, with per-minute fees by country. Availability varies by country, and some countries do not allow business-initiated calls or restrict them, so check your country before you plan.
01Two types of calls
| Type | Who calls | Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer-initiated call | The customer taps the call button | Free | Calling enabled on your number |
| Business-initiated call | Your team calls the customer | Per-minute fees by country | Prior permission from the customer |
02Call permission
Before you call a customer on WhatsApp, you send them a permission request. Meta limits permission requests to roughly one per day and two per week per customer, and if the customer does not answer several consecutive calls, the permission may be revoked. The aim is to protect users from spam.
Rules and limits may change; check Meta's current documentation.
03Is it available in my country?
The feature is available in many countries, but business-initiated calling is not available in some, and some countries in the region have regulatory restrictions on internet app calls. Before you build your plan on WhatsApp calls, confirm availability for your number and your customers' countries.
In countries that restrict app calls, a cloud call center with a regular phone number remains the safest option.
04When are WhatsApp calls useful?
- A customer asking in the chat who needs a quick voice explanation.
- Customers in other countries, since a customer-initiated call is free for them.
- Technical support that needs direct clarification.
- Following up on a deal that started in writing.
05The call is part of the customer profile
Whether the call is over WhatsApp or a phone number, what matters most is that it is logged in the customer profile alongside their chats and quotes. In Modeer 360, calls, chats and orders are in one place. Ask our team about WhatsApp calling support for your number and country.
Key takeaways
- Customers can call your business on WhatsApp for free.
- Calling a customer requires their permission and per-minute fees.
- Availability varies by country, so check first.
- Log calls in the customer profile alongside chats.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new number for WhatsApp calls?
No. Calling is enabled on the same WhatsApp Business API number, if it is available in your country.
Are WhatsApp calls recorded?
It depends on the platform and local policies. Ask your provider.
Does it work from the regular WhatsApp Business app?
The Business app supports regular calls, but managing calls for a whole team requires the API and a platform.
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