How to Disable the WhatsApp Calling Feature to Block Unwanted Callers.
WhatsApp a free messaging app available on iOS and Android devices has made keeping in touch with friends and family easy and free. WhatsApp calls work by using the Internet connection on your phone, either mobile data or WiFi network instead of the cell network, basically, the same way Skype, Facebook Messenger or Viber work. However with this new feature comes one slight annoyance, random and unknown callers dialing you. If you would like to turn the calling feature off, let’s begin.
How to Block WhatsApp Calling Without Rooting Your Phone.
The WhatsApp calling feature makes life easier, you can talk to anyone, anywhere for free, using data from your Wifi or mobile network (so long as your data plan is reasonable). However, with all these great improvements, telemarketers and clever advertising companies have also adopted this technology. So if you have been getting flooded with random callers on WhatsApp lets shut them out.
There are two ways to block or turn off calling on WhatsApp, the first is done by installing a third-party app called Disable Whatsapp Calls. It isn’t officially listed on the Google Play Store anymore, so you will have to get the APK file from elsewhere. Google search is usually the best way to track it down. If you are not familiar with using APK files to install apps from places other than Google Play, we have a how-to guide below.
How to Install APK Files On Android Devices.
Once you have downloaded and Installed Disable WhatsApp Calls, open it, tap on Service and set it to Disable Whatsapp calls. Also, make sure that you set notifications to on. Next go down to the outgoing calls tab and tick the box there also. This is the option that will allow you to still make calls from WhatsApp, just no recieve them.
The app is super basic with very limited features so if you would like to enable or disable it, just tap the top service On or Off. There is an option at the very bottom of the app to forward WhatsApp calls to other numbers but there is probably never going to be a time you would use it unless you are forwarding all your annoying calls to someone you might not like.
How to Block WhatsApp Calls on a Rooted Android Device.
Unfortunately, this method for blocking calls on WhatsApp Messenger no longer works for the newest versions, as the file paths and files have been either changed or removed. Currently method one seems to be the only working option at this point in time. However, if you are using an older version, feel free to try this option. This is a much better option for blocking calls on WhatsApp, however, it will require your phone to be rooted. If you have a rooted phone, you will need to download Es File Explorer, if you haven't already got it.
Once you have installed Es File Explorer, open it, swipe from left to right and Enable: Root Explorer Grant Super SU Permission. Next, go to /data/data/com.whatsapp, find a folder called shared_preps and look for the file called com.whatsapp.preference.XML. Once you have tracked it down, tap it and open it in a text editor, then find and change its value to false and save it. After you have saved it, Restart your device and check for WhatsApp calling. It should now be successfully disabled.