Why Can’t I Receive WhatsApp Calls Until I Manually Open the App?

Messaging apps like WhatsApp have become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to stay connected with people that matter. However, it can be quite frustrating when WhatsApp fails to notify us about incoming calls. In some cases, we may not even receive calls until we manually open the app. This issue can cause us to miss important calls and disrupt our communication. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this problem and provide effective solutions to fix it.

Table of Contents

  1. Reason 1: WhatsApp cannot send you notifications
  2. Reason 2: WhatsApp’s background data is restricted
  3. Reason 3: WhatsApp has a bug
  4. How to get WhatsApp to receive calls in the background?
    • Fix 1: Check WhatsApp’s notification settings
    • Fix 2: Check WhatsApp’s background data usage setting
    • Fix 3: Disable power-saving mode
    • Fix 4: Disable or reconfigure Do Not Disturb (DND)
    • Fix 5: Update WhatsApp

Reason 1: WhatsApp cannot send you notifications

One possible reason why you may not hear the notification ringtone when receiving a WhatsApp call is that WhatsApp cannot send you notifications. While the caller can hear the ring and see the call status as “Ringing,” you won’t receive any notifications unless you have the app open. This issue is usually caused by incorrect notification settings on your phone.

To fix this issue, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app and go to the Applications section.
  2. Find WhatsApp from the list of applications and open its App Info screen.
  3. Tap on Notifications to view the app’s notification settings.
  4. Make sure to enable notifications and select “Allow sound and vibration.” Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Notification Categories.
  5. Enable notifications for all categories, especially Call notifications, to ensure you don’t miss any notifications.

Reason 2: WhatsApp’s background data is restricted

If you’re not receiving any calls on WhatsApp at all, and the call status for the caller is shown as “Calling” instead of “Ringing,” the problem may lie with WhatsApp’s background data usage. In this case, WhatsApp is facing restrictions on background data usage, preventing it from receiving calls when the app is not in use.

To check and change this setting, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings and go to Applications > WhatsApp.
  2. Scroll down on WhatsApp’s App Info screen and tap on Mobile data under the Usage section.
  3. Ensure that the slider next to “Allow background data usage” is enabled.

Reason 3: WhatsApp has a bug

In rare cases, WhatsApp may have a bug that affects certain app features, including the ability to receive calls. This issue is more likely if you can receive messages but not calls. If the previous fixes didn’t resolve the problem, updating WhatsApp to the latest version may help resolve any existing bugs.

To update WhatsApp, follow these steps:

  1. Open the app store on your device (e.g., Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
  2. Search for WhatsApp and open the app’s page.
  3. If an update is available, tap on the Update button to install the latest version of WhatsApp.

How to get WhatsApp to receive calls in the background?

Now that we’ve identified the possible reasons behind the issue, let’s explore the solutions to get WhatsApp to receive calls in the background.

Fix 1: Check WhatsApp’s notification settings

To ensure that WhatsApp can send you notifications, you should check and adjust the app’s notification settings. Here’s how:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app and navigate to the Applications section.
  2. Locate WhatsApp from the list of applications and access its App Info screen.
  3. Tap on Notifications to view the notification settings.
  4. Enable notifications and select “Allow sound and vibration.”
  5. Scroll down and tap on Notification Categories.
  6. Enable notifications for all categories, including Call notifications.

By properly configuring the notification settings, you can ensure that you receive notifications for incoming calls even when the app is not open.

Fix 2: Check WhatsApp’s background data usage setting

If you’re not receiving any calls on WhatsApp unless the app is open, there may be restrictions on WhatsApp’s background data usage. To check and modify this setting, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings and navigate to Applications > WhatsApp.
  2. Scroll down to the Usage section and tap on Mobile data.
  3. Make sure that the slider next to “Allow background data usage” is enabled.

Enabling background data usage for WhatsApp will allow the app to receive calls even when it’s running in the background.

Fix 3: Disable power-saving mode

Power-saving mode on your phone is designed to extend battery life by limiting the background activity of certain apps. However, this mode can interfere with WhatsApp’s ability to receive calls. To fix this issue, you can disable power-saving mode on your device.

To disable power-saving mode:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the drop-down menu.
  2. Find the power-saving mode icon and tap on it to disable the mode.
  3. Additionally, you can also turn off the data-saving mode to ensure that WhatsApp can use the internet properly.

By disabling power-saving mode, you allow WhatsApp to run smoothly in the background and receive calls without any interruptions.

Fix 4: Disable or reconfigure Do Not Disturb (DND)

Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is another feature that can prevent WhatsApp from sending you notifications. When enabled, DND mutes notifications from all apps except essential ones like Phone and Messaging. Disabling DND or configuring its settings can help resolve the issue.

To disable or reconfigure DND:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen and find the Do Not Disturb icon in the drop-down menu.
  2. Tap and hold the icon to access DND settings.
  3. Under “Allowed during Do not disturb,” tap on “App notifications.”
  4. Tap the plus icon to add apps and select WhatsApp. Tap on Done.

This configuration ensures that WhatsApp can send you notifications even when DND is enabled or excludes WhatsApp from the list of blocked apps.

Fix 5: Update WhatsApp

If none of the previous fixes resolve the issue, it’s possible that the problem lies with WhatsApp itself. Updating the app to the latest version can help fix any existing bugs or issues.

To update WhatsApp:

  1. Open the app store on your device (e.g., Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
  2. Search for WhatsApp and open the app’s page.
  3. If an update is available, tap on the Update button to install the latest version.

By keeping WhatsApp up to date, you ensure that you have the latest bug fixes and improvements, which can help resolve calling issues.

In conclusion, WhatsApp’s failure to notify us about incoming calls or receive calls until we manually open the app can be frustrating. However, by following the solutions mentioned above, you can fix this issue and ensure that you never miss important calls again. Remember to check WhatsApp’s notification settings, background data usage, power-saving mode, and Do Not Disturb settings. If needed, update WhatsApp to the latest version to resolve any existing bugs. With these fixes, you can enjoy uninterrupted calling on WhatsApp.

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