Apple’s latest iOS 18.2 update has introduced a new feature for iPhone users: setting third-party apps as default for calls and messages.
WhatsApp has quickly capitalised on this change, allowing users to make it their primary communication app. This development was announced on March 28, 2025, marking a shift in how iPhone users interact with their devices.
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Setting WhatsApp as default: Step-by-step guide
To set WhatsApp as the default app for calls and texts, users must follow a few simple steps:
Update iOS and WhatsApp: Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 18.2 or later and update WhatsApp to version 25.8.74 or newer from the App Store.
Configure Default Apps: Open the Settings app, scroll down to “Apps,” and select “Default Apps.” Under “Messaging” and “Calling,” choose WhatsApp as the default application.
Once configured, tapping a phone number in the Contacts app or any other application will automatically launch WhatsApp, allowing users to make calls or send messages through the platform. As noted, “If you make calls primarily on WhatsApp, you can now tap a phone number on your iPhone, and instead of the usual Phone app, WhatsApp pops up, ready to make the call”.
Impact and implications
This update marks a departure from Apple’s traditional stance on default apps, where iMessage and the Phone app were the only options for messaging and calling. The change is partly driven by European Union regulations that require greater flexibility in default app settings, but Apple has extended this feature to users worldwide.
As seen highlights, “This enhancement is facilitated by Apple’s iOS 18.2 update, which permits users to select default apps for various functions, including messaging, calls, email, and browsing”. Users now have more control over their devices, allowing them to streamline their communication through WhatsApp. This flexibility is welcomed by those who rely heavily on WhatsApp for their daily communication needs.