How to Mute Calls on WhatsApp: A Complete Guide to Silence and Control WhatsApp Calls

Part 1. Why People Want to Turn Off WhatsApp Calls

Before diving into the steps, it is worth understanding why users search for how to disable WhatsApp calls.

Common reasons include

• Don't answer calls from numbers you don't know.
• Cut down on distractions while you work
• Stop spam calls
• Control WhatsApp notifications
• Stop video calls from strangers

Additionally, WhatsApp now has an option that disables ringing when unknown numbers call. It's called Silence Unknown Callers. Even while your device remains silent, the call remains in your call log.

Now, let us go through the practical solutions.

Part 2. How to Disable WhatsApp Calls on Android (Step-by-step Method)

The flexible nature of Android gives more control over app behavior compared to iOS. It means that you can limit the access an app might receive to data. One of the easiest methods to turn off WhatsApp calls on Android is through revoking some system-level permissions. With those permissions crippled, WhatsApp won’t be able to finish calls, but text messages should still come through as normal.

Method 1: No Microphone No Call Trick to Mute WhatsApp Calls

This method is one of the most reliable ways to mute a WhatsApp call. The idea is simple. If WhatsApp cannot use the microphone and phone permissions, incoming calls will not connect before they even start ringing.

Step 1. Go to Settings on your Android mobile.

Step 2. Scroll through that to open Apps or Manage Apps, then tap WhatsApp.

Step 3. Tap Permissions.

Step 4. Identify the microphone and modify the setting from Ask to Do not allow.

Step 5. Locate Phone and change it to Do not allow.

Note: Using this method, the voice notes will not function until you re-enable the microphone. Text messages will still arrive instantly.

Method 2: Force Stop Trick to Turn Off WhatsApp Calls for A Short Time

If you prefer to temporarily avoid calls without changing your phone settings, simply use the Force Stop option. Lastly, this trick will help you turn off WhatsApp calls for a limited time. It prevents the app from running until you call it back up.

Step 1. Long-press the WhatsApp icon on your phone screen.

Step 2. Hit the App Info icon that shows.

Step 3. Open the app settings page and select Force Stop.

Once you apply this option, WhatsApp will no longer run. There will be no phone calls and no messages during this time. The app will remain dormant until you open WhatsApp again.

Note: (For iPhone users, the same does not apply.) Because iOS handles WhatsApp calls using the callkit system, rejecting calls is much harder than it is on Android. A tool can recover lost call logs when you delete them by changing these settings, and it is possible to recover deleted WhatsApp data on iOS.

Part 3. How to Disable WhatsApp Calls on iPhone iOS 26

WhatsApp calls on iPhone are run using Apple's CallKit. Due to this, WhatsApp calls essentially function like standard phone calls on the device. Users cannot simply flip a switch to disable the calling feature in the app entirely. These options allow you to turn off WhatsApp calls iPhone behavior without blocking the contacts who call you.

Method 1: Focus mode trick to silence WhatsApp calls

Recent iOS updates introduced Focus Filters. This feature allows users to manage how apps behave during certain periods. It can help to disable WhatsApp calls on iPhone by silencing the app's notifications.

Step 1. Go to Settings on your iPhone

Step 2. Open up the Focus section.

Step 3. Select a focus profile (ex, Work or Do Not Disturb).

Step 4. In the Allowed Notifications section, ensure WhatsApp is not there

Step 5. Scroll down to the bottom of this section and open Focus Filters

Step 6. Click on Add Filter and enter a filter for the selected focus profile

As of now, iOS doesn't have an option to completely mute WhatsApp calls using Focus Filters. But that setting can mute WhatsApp notifications through the chosen timeframe.

Method 2: Silence unknown callers setting to mute WhatsApp calls from unknown numbers

If your goal is to block spam calls or calls made from numbers not stored in your contacts, there’s already a built-in option for iPhone users through WhatsApp. This feature is useful for users who turn off WhatsApp call alerts on iPhone without blocking.

Step 1. Launch WhatsApp on your iOS device. Select Settings from the bottom of the screen.

Step 2. Go to the Privacy menu and pick Calls. The Silence Unknown Callers option needs to be turned on.

Calls from numbers that aren't in your contacts will no longer ring your phone once you enable this setting.

Method 3: Microphone permission trick to disable WhatsApp calls on iPhone

To quickly stop all incoming WhatsApp calls, you can revoke the microphone permission in the app. This is the method that may assist in searching for how to disable WhatsApp calls on iPhone.

Step 1. Launch the iPhone Settings app, navigate to Privacy and Security.

Step 2. Tap Microphone.

Step 3. Locate WhatsApp and disable microphone access.

After this change, calls to you will not connect. However, remember that this also stops voice memos and video audio recording inside WhatsApp.

Part 4. Bonus Part: Want to Move WhatsApp Chats to a New Phone

After adjusting settings to turn off WhatsApp calls or control call interruptions, many users also change phones. When switching devices, the biggest concern is keeping WhatsApp chats safe. Moving messages between Android and iPhone is not always simple because the two systems handle data differently.

Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer is a solution you can trust. This does exactly that, transferring your chats and media from one device to another without losing anything on WhatsApp. It is compatible with transfers from Android to iPhone, Android to Android, and iPhone to iPhone. The software allows for the safe transfer of messages, photos, videos, files, voice notes, and even WhatsApp call history.

Key features of Dr. Fone WhatsApp Transfer

• Cross-platform transfer support
  The tool allows WhatsApp data transfer between Android and iPhone devices, which is usually difficult with standard backup methods.
• Selective data transfer control
  Users can choose the type of data they want to move. This includes chats, photos, videos, voice notes, documents, and WhatsApp call logs.
• Data preview and merging option
  The software allows previewing certain data and combining existing WhatsApp chats with older ones before starting the transfer.
• Safe and direct device connection
  Devices connect through USB to a computer, which keeps the transfer stable and reduces the risk of data loss.

Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer

One-click to Transfer, Backup, and restore Your WhatsApp Data

• Transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to iOS, Android to Android, iOS to iOS, and iOS to Android.
• Backup WhatsApp messages from iPhone or Android on your PC.
• Allow restoring any item from the backup to iOS or Android.
• Completely or selectively preview and export WhatsApp messages from iOS backup to your computer.
• Support all iPhone and Android models.

Available on: Windows Mac

Download Now

Download Now

3,480,561 people have downloaded it

Simple steps to transfer WhatsApp data with Dr. Fone

Step 1： Open Wondershare Dr. Fone on your computer and connect both phones to the computer through USB cables.

Step 2: Go to the Toolbox section and select WhatsApp. Tap on Transfer to access the transfer feature

Step 3: Click “Transfer WhatsApp messages”, and choose the source and target phone. You can switch the positions of your devices if necessary.

Step 4: Choose the type of data you want to move, such as voice notes, conversations, images, videos, files, or WhatsApp call records.

Step 5: Click "Transfer" and wait for the progress bar to complete and the transfer to succeed.

Conclusion

WhatsApp does not provide a direct switch to stop calls, but the methods in this guide offer practical control. Android users can remove microphone permissions to block calls while keeping chats active. The Force Stop option works well for short breaks when silence is needed quickly. On iPhone, Focus mode aids work time, and Silence Unknown Callers eliminates spam displays. The microphone permission trick comes in handy when you want to disable WhatsApp calls temporarily.

When moving to a new phone after adjusting these settings, keeping chats safe becomes important. Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer securely moves messages and media between devices.

safe & secure

4,624,541 people have downloaded it