WhatsApp call waiting means that if someone rings you while you're already on a WhatsApp call, you get a notification instead of a missed call. You can answer, which ends your current call, or decline and stay where you are. WhatsApp only gives you those two choices, so there's no way to hold the first call while you take the second.
Call waiting on WhatsApp works a little differently from the call waiting you might know on a normal phone line. You'll always know someone is trying to reach you, but you can't flip between two callers. It's one call or the other. Knowing that saves a lot of confusion, especially if you take work calls on WhatsApp or use it as your main phone for family calls abroad.
What happens when a second call comes in
| You tap | What happens |
|---|---|
| Answer | Your current call ends and the new caller is connected |
| Decline | The new call is declined and you stay on your current call |
WhatsApp says the notification won't interrupt your existing call, so you can see who's ringing and decide without dropping the person you're talking to.
Calls from outside WhatsApp
The same choice applies when a normal phone call comes in during a WhatsApp call. Tap Answer to end the WhatsApp call and take the phone call, or Decline to stay on WhatsApp. Again, there's no hold option, so if the WhatsApp call matters, decline the phone call and ring them back afterwards.
Can you merge or hold WhatsApp calls?
WhatsApp's help page only lists two options, answer or decline, so there's no way to put one caller on hold and switch back, and no way to merge the second caller into your current call from the call waiting notification. If you need several people on the same call, start a group call instead. WhatsApp group voice calls allow up to 32 people.
A tidy workaround if you often get a second caller: decline it, send a quick message saying you'll call back in a few minutes, and then return the call when you're free. The other person knows you've seen them, and you don't lose the person you're already talking to.
How to stop calls interrupting you
- Silence unknown callers. In Settings, then Privacy, then Calls. Calls from numbers you've never had contact with won't ring, but you'll still see them in the Calls tab and notifications.
- Block a contact. If one person keeps calling at bad times, blocking stops them.
- Use Do Not Disturb on your phone when you're on an important call, so other apps stay quiet too.
Silence unknown callers is especially useful here, because spam calls during a real conversation are the most annoying kind. My guide to how blocking works on WhatsApp covers what the other person sees if you block them.
Call waiting not working?
- Update WhatsApp from your app store. Older versions may not show the notification.
- Check WhatsApp's notifications are allowed in your phone's settings.
- Check Silence unknown callers. If the second caller isn't in your contacts and you've never been in touch, the call is silenced, so it won't show as a ringing call.
- Make sure the caller isn't blocked.
- Restart your phone if notifications have stopped working generally.
If WhatsApp calls keep dropping rather than clashing, check your connection. My guide on whether WhatsApp needs Wi-Fi explains what WhatsApp calls need to stay stable.
Call waiting for business users
If clients call you on WhatsApp, call waiting is a reminder that you can only talk to one person at a time. A few habits help:
- Ask clients to message before calling, so you can schedule a time.
- Put your working hours in your profile or business details.
- Decline a second call politely and message straight away to say when you'll ring back.
- Use a group call when a client wants several people involved, rather than juggling calls.
That keeps the client you're talking to happy, and the one who called second feels looked after rather than ignored, which matters when they could just as easily ring a competitor.
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An example
Say you're on a WhatsApp video call with your mum and your child's school rings your normal number. A call waiting notification appears on top of the video call. If you tap Decline, your mum stays on screen and the school's call is declined, so you'll want to ring them back straight after. If you tap Answer, the video call with your mum ends and you're through to the school. Either way you've decided in a couple of seconds, without losing track of who was calling.
Call waiting vs a missed call
Without call waiting, a second caller would simply see that you were busy, and you'd find a missed call later. With it, you see the call as it happens. That's useful when you're expecting someone, such as a delivery driver, a child getting home, or a client confirming a meeting. You can end your current call quickly and take the one that matters.
My verdict
WhatsApp call waiting tells you someone is calling and lets you choose: answer and lose your current call, or decline and stay put. There's no hold or switch, so for anything important, decline and message back. Turn on Silence unknown callers so the second call is never a spammer, and save group calls for the times you need everyone together.
Frequently asked questions
Does WhatsApp have call waiting?
Yes. If someone calls while you're on a WhatsApp call, you'll get a notification and can answer or decline.
Can I put a WhatsApp call on hold?
No. Answering a second call ends your current one. Declining keeps you on your current call.
What happens if I get a normal call during a WhatsApp call?
You can answer it, which ends the WhatsApp call, or decline it and stay on WhatsApp.
Why don't I see call waiting for some callers?
If Silence unknown callers is on, calls from unknown numbers won't ring. They still appear in your Calls tab.
