Does your phone keep buzzing with unwanted WhatsApp calls while you're in an important meeting or trying to sleep?
While WhatsApp is the king of messaging, it surprisingly lacks a simple "Turn Off Calling" toggle. This can be frustrating when you want to stay available for messages but silent for voice and video calls. Whether you are dealing with spam from unknown numbers or just need some digital peace, you don’t have to block the person entirely.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to disable WhatsApp calls on both Android and iOS without losing your chat history. As experts in iOS data management, we've tested these methods on the latest iOS 26 and Android 15 updates to ensure they still work today.
Part 1: How to Stop WhatsApp Calls on Android (The Permission Hack)
On Android, the system gives you more granular control over app behaviors than iOS. The most effective way to "disable" calls while still receiving text messages is by revoking specific system permissions.
Method 1: The "No Microphone, No Call" Trick
This is the most reliable workaround. By denying WhatsApp access to your phone and microphone, incoming calls will fail to connect before they even ring on your device.
Steps to follow:
Open Settings on your Android phone.
Navigate to Apps (or Manage Apps) > WhatsApp.
Tap on Permissions.
Locate Microphone and select "Don't Allow."
Locate Phone and select "Don't Allow."
What happens next? When someone tries to call you, the call will immediately disconnect on their end, or they will hear a "Calling" status that never transitions to "Ringing." You will receive a "Missed Call" notification once you open the app, but your phone will remain silent and undisturbed.
Pro Tip: If you use this method, you won't be able to send voice notes until you re-enable the microphone. However, your text messages will continue to arrive instantly.
Method 2: Force Stop for Temporary Silence
If you want to stop WhatsApp calls for a short period without changing settings, use the Force Stop feature.
Long-press the WhatsApp icon > Tap the "i" (App Info) icon > Click Force Stop.
Note: WhatsApp will remain "dead" (no calls, no messages) until you manually open the app again.
Wait, are you an iPhone user? Unlike Android’s open permission system, iOS handles WhatsApp calls through the CallKit framework, making them harder to block. If you've accidentally deleted your WhatsApp call logs while trying to navigate these complex iPhone settings, don't panic. Our Gbyte Recovery is designed specifically to recover deleted WhatsApp data on iOS with a 99% success rate.
Part 2: How to Disable WhatsApp Calls on iPhone (iOS 26)
On an iPhone, WhatsApp calls are integrated into the system via Apple’s CallKit. This means they behave almost like regular cellular calls. While you cannot "toggle off" the calling feature, these three workarounds provide the same result without the need to block your contacts.
Method 1: Use Focus Mode Filters (The Most Professional Way)
Introduced in recent iOS updates, Focus Filters allow you to silence specific app behaviors.
Go to Settings > Focus.
Select a profile (e.g., Work or Do Not Disturb).
Under Allowed Notifications, ensure WhatsApp is NOT on the list.
Scroll down to Focus Filters and tap Add Filter.
While there isn't a direct "Disable Call" filter yet, you can set the app to "Silence" notifications specifically for this period.
Method 2: Silence Unknown Callers (Internal WhatsApp Setting)
If your goal is to stop spam or calls from people not in your address book, WhatsApp has a built-in feature for iPhone users:
Open WhatsApp > Settings.
Tap Privacy > Calls.
Toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
Result: Calls from unknown numbers will be silenced and shown in your "Calls" tab, but your iPhone won't ring.
Method 3: Revoke Microphone Access (The "Emergency" Method)
If you want to stop all incoming calls immediately:
Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy & Security.
Tap Microphone > Toggle off WhatsApp.
Expert Note: When someone calls, the connection will fail. However, be careful: this also prevents you from sending voice memos or recording video audio within the app.
Lost Your WhatsApp Call History or Messages?
While adjusting privacy settings or reinstalling WhatsApp to stop unwanted calls, it is common to accidentally delete important chat threads or call logs. Since iOS backups (iCloud) can sometimes be unreliable or overwritten, you need a professional WhatsApp recovery software.
If you find yourself in a situation where:
You deleted a chat thread by mistake while trying to mute a contact.
Your WhatsApp call history disappeared after a system update.
You don't have a recent iTunes/iCloud backup.
This is where Gbyte Recovery comes in. Unlike standard restore methods, our tool scans your iPhone's SQLite database to recover deleted WhatsApp data directly from the device.
FAQs
Q: Does the caller know I have disabled WhatsApp calls?
A: If you use the "Silence Unknown Callers" or "Focus Mode" methods, the caller will hear the phone ringing as usual, but you won't be disturbed. If you revoke microphone permissions, the call may simply "Fail," which might look like a network error.
Q: Can I disable video calls but keep voice calls?
A: No. WhatsApp treats both as "VoIP data." You can only manage notifications for both simultaneously.
Q: Will disabling calls delete my chats?
A: No, changing settings won't delete chats. However, always backup your data before making major system changes. If data loss occurs, use an iOS data recovery tool immediately to prevent data overwriting.
Conclusion
While we wait for WhatsApp to release an official "Disable Calling" toggle, these Android and iOS workarounds are your best bet to reclaim your privacy. For Android users, permission management is the way to go. For iPhone users, Focus Mode and Privacy Settings offer the best balance.
Remember: Always keep your data safe. If a setting change goes wrong, Gbyte Recovery is here to help you get your WhatsApp history back in minutes.
