WhatsApp is developing a new call-screening feature for Android that could automatically answer calls from unknown numbers, ask callers why they are calling and transcribe their responses for users to review. The feature is designed to give people more information before deciding whether to accept a call, rather than forcing them to choose between answering an unfamiliar number and silencing it completely. The functionality was spotted in WhatsApp’s Android beta version 2.26.41.4, according to WABetaInfo.
The feature remains under development and is not yet available for public use. If released, it would expand WhatsApp’s existing Silence Unknown Callers setting with an additional option that screens unfamiliar callers. Reports indicate that the transcription would be generated locally on the phone using language packs, rather than sending the call audio to WhatsApp’s servers for transcription. The development reflects WhatsApp’s broader effort to give users more control over unwanted calls while reducing the risk of missing legitimate ones.
Key Takeaways
- New feature: WhatsApp is developing an option to automatically answer calls from unknown numbers and ask the caller for their reason.
- Call transcripts: Users could read a transcript of the caller’s response before deciding whether to answer.
- Android first: The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.41.4 for Android.
- Three possible settings: Users may be able to receive all calls normally, silence unknown callers or ask unknown callers to explain their reason for calling.
- Privacy: Reports indicate transcription will happen on-device using language packs.
- Availability: The feature is still in development, and WhatsApp has not announced a public release date.
- Potential benefit: The feature could help users screen spam calls without automatically silencing every unfamiliar number.
How WhatsApp’s Automatic Call-Screening Feature Could Work
The proposed feature would act as an intermediary between the person receiving a call and someone whose number is not saved in their contacts.
When an unknown person calls, WhatsApp could answer automatically and ask the caller to explain why they are calling. The recipient would then receive a transcript of the response and could use that information to decide whether the call deserves attention.
For example, an unfamiliar number might belong to a delivery driver, a service provider, a prospective customer or someone trying to sell a product. Instead of answering immediately, users could review the stated reason and decide what to do next.
The system would not necessarily identify the caller or prove that the caller is trustworthy. It would provide context by asking the person to explain their purpose. Users would still need to exercise judgment when deciding whether to answer.
The feature is currently being developed for Android, and the exact user experience may change before any wider release.
Three call-filtering options are reportedly planned
WABetaInfo’s report describes three possible options in a redesigned call-filtering menu. These would give users more flexibility than the existing setting, which primarily focuses on silencing calls from unfamiliar numbers.
| Proposed option | How it would work |
|---|---|
| Never | Disables the filtering feature so calls can ring normally |
| Silence | Silences calls from unknown numbers while retaining their records in the Calls tab and notifications |
| Ask reason for calling | Automatically answers an unknown caller, asks why they are calling and provides a transcript |
The labels and exact behaviour are based on the feature spotted during development and could change before release.
The most significant addition is the option to ask callers for their reason. It could help users distinguish a potentially relevant call from an unsolicited sales pitch without requiring them to speak directly to every unfamiliar caller.
Users who prefer to avoid all interruptions could continue using the silence option, while those who regularly receive important calls from new numbers could choose the more interactive screening approach.
Why WhatsApp Wants to Improve Unknown-Caller Management
Unknown calls can be inconvenient because they create uncertainty. People may avoid answering unfamiliar numbers to reduce unwanted sales calls, scams and other interruptions. However, doing so can also mean missing legitimate calls.
A delivery worker may need directions to a building. A doctor or clinic may call from a number that has not been saved. A business contact may reach out using a new phone number. In each case, silencing the call without additional information can create problems.
WhatsApp already offers Silence Unknown Callers, which prevents calls from unfamiliar numbers from ringing while keeping them visible in the call list. The existing feature provides a straightforward way to reduce interruptions, but it does not let the caller explain their purpose before the recipient decides what to do.
The new approach could bridge that gap. Rather than treating every unknown number the same way, the app would let the caller provide context.
This is particularly relevant in countries such as India, where users may receive calls from delivery services, financial institutions, local businesses and people who are not saved in their contacts. The proposed feature could make call management more convenient, although its effectiveness will depend on how well callers respond and how accurately the system transcribes their answers.
On-Device Transcription Could Help Protect Privacy
One of the most important reported details concerns how WhatsApp would generate the transcript.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature would use language packs installed on the device to transcribe the caller’s response locally. This approach is similar to the technology WhatsApp uses for certain voice-message transcription and translation functions.
On-device processing can reduce the need to send audio to an external server for transcription. That can limit additional data exposure, although the precise privacy guarantees will depend on the final implementation and the permissions required by the feature.
The distinction is important because a call-screening system must process spoken information to produce a transcript. Users should understand what information is handled on their device, what is transmitted during the call and whether any additional data is retained.
WhatsApp’s regular calls use end-to-end encryption. However, the existence of encryption alone does not establish every detail of how a new screening or transcription feature will operate. The implementation should be evaluated against the official privacy information released when the feature becomes available.
For now, on-device transcription is a reported design detail from the development tracking, not a final public specification covering every supported device and configuration.
Language support will matter
Local transcription depends on the languages supported by the available language packs. If the caller speaks a language that the system cannot adequately recognise, the resulting transcript may be incomplete or inaccurate.
Users may also encounter difficulties when callers switch between languages, use regional expressions, speak with strong accents or talk in noisy environments.
The feature’s practical usefulness will therefore depend on more than simply producing a transcript. It must handle real-world speech well enough for users to understand the caller’s stated purpose.
A transcript should also be treated as a summary of what was recognised, not proof that a caller is legitimate. A scammer could provide a convincing explanation, and a genuine caller could be transcribed incorrectly.
Could the Feature Help Reduce Scam Calls?
The proposed screening option could help people avoid answering some suspicious calls immediately. By asking callers to explain why they are calling, WhatsApp would provide an extra step before the recipient engages in a conversation.
That may be useful when dealing with unsolicited calls that rely on urgency or surprise to pressure people into responding. A user could review the explanation and decide whether to answer, ignore or block the number.
However, the feature should not be described as a complete scam-detection system. The reported functionality focuses on collecting and transcribing a caller’s stated reason, rather than automatically determining whether a call is fraudulent.
A caller could lie about their identity or purpose. Someone might claim to represent a bank, government department or delivery company without being authorised to do so. The transcript would not independently verify such claims.
Users should continue to avoid sharing one-time passwords, payment PINs, banking credentials or other sensitive information with unverified callers. If a caller claims to represent an organisation, users can contact that organisation through its official app, website or published phone number.
The proposed feature could reduce unwanted interruptions and provide additional context, but it would work best alongside existing privacy settings and sensible security practices.
WhatsApp’s Existing Privacy Tools
The new call-filtering feature would build on a wider set of privacy and security controls already available in WhatsApp.
The platform introduced Silence Unknown Callers to help users avoid unwanted calls. Silenced calls remain visible in the call list, allowing users to review missed calls later.
WhatsApp has also introduced additional context for some calls from people who are not saved in a user’s contacts. This can include information such as whether a number is from another country and whether the user shares any groups with the caller.
These features address different parts of the problem. Silencing reduces interruptions, contextual information helps users make decisions and automatic screening could give unknown callers an opportunity to explain themselves.
The proposed feature would not replace the need for blocking and reporting tools. Users would still need ways to prevent repeat contact from unwanted numbers and report suspected scams.
How WhatsApp’s Feature Compares With Phone Call Screening
Automatic call screening is not an entirely new concept. Apple introduced a call-screening experience in iOS 26 that can ask unknown callers to identify themselves and explain the reason for calling before the user decides whether to answer.
Google also offers call-screening capabilities on supported Pixel devices, although availability and functionality vary by device, region and software version.
WhatsApp’s reported development would bring a similar type of interaction into its own calling environment on Android. This matters because many people use internet-based calls in messaging apps rather than relying exclusively on their phone’s traditional calling interface.
The difference is that WhatsApp’s implementation would operate within the messaging platform and its existing contact and privacy settings. Its usefulness will depend on the final design, the quality of transcription and how smoothly it works with incoming WhatsApp calls.
It is too early to conclude that WhatsApp’s version will be more effective than existing phone-level screening systems. The feature has not yet been released publicly, and its final capabilities remain unconfirmed.
When Will WhatsApp Release the Feature?
WhatsApp has not announced an official public release date for the automatic call-answering and transcription feature.
The functionality was identified in Android beta version 2.26.41.4, but being spotted in a beta build does not mean a feature is ready for general use. Developers may continue testing, change the interface, restrict availability to selected users or decide to delay the launch.
The next steps could include wider internal testing, a beta rollout and a later release through a stable WhatsApp update. However, that sequence and its timing have not been confirmed by the company.
Users should not assume that updating WhatsApp immediately will unlock the feature. Until the company makes it available, the existing Silence Unknown Callers setting remains the established option for reducing interruptions from unfamiliar numbers.
The Bigger Picture
WhatsApp’s proposed automatic call screening reflects a shift from simply blocking unwanted interruptions toward giving users more context before deciding how to respond. Asking an unfamiliar caller for a reason and presenting a transcript could help people manage incoming calls without missing every contact whose number is not saved.
Privacy and reliability will determine whether the feature is genuinely useful. On-device transcription could limit additional exposure of call audio, but transcripts may still contain errors, and a caller’s explanation cannot prove their identity. The feature is still under development, so its final design and release timing remain uncertain.
Looking Ahead
The immediate question is whether WhatsApp will move the feature from development into public beta testing and eventually make it available to a wider Android audience. Users will be watching for details about supported languages, device compatibility, the final settings menu and the privacy safeguards that accompany automatic answering and transcription.
If launched successfully, the feature could offer a more flexible alternative to silencing every unknown caller. Its value will ultimately depend on whether users can quickly understand why someone is calling, make informed decisions and avoid unwanted interruptions without creating new privacy or security risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is WhatsApp’s new unknown-call feature?
WhatsApp is developing a feature that could automatically answer calls from unknown numbers, ask callers why they are calling and provide a transcript so recipients can decide whether to answer.
2. Is the feature available now?
No. It remains under development and has been spotted in WhatsApp’s Android beta version 2.26.41.4. WhatsApp has not announced a public release date.
3. Will WhatsApp record and send the call to its servers?
Reports from WABetaInfo indicate that transcription is intended to happen locally on the device using language packs. The final implementation and official privacy details should be checked when WhatsApp releases the feature.
4. Can the feature automatically detect scam callers?
There is no confirmation that the feature will independently identify scams. Its reported purpose is to ask callers why they are calling and transcribe their responses, giving users more information before answering.
5. Will users still be able to silence unknown callers?
The reported design includes a silence option alongside the proposed automatic screening mode. The exact final settings may change before release.
6. Will the feature come to iPhone?
The feature has been spotted in development for Android. WhatsApp has not confirmed an iPhone release or a timeline for other platforms.
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