What to do if you can't answer a WhatsApp call - briefly?
If you can't answer a WhatsApp call, the best course of action is to reply with a message explaining your situation and apologize for not being able to take the call. Alternatively, you can use the 'Decline' button to reject the call without responding, but it's generally more polite to send a quick message.
What to do if you can't answer a WhatsApp call - in detail?
If you find yourself unable to answer a WhatsApp call, there are several steps you can take to ensure that the caller is informed and that communication remains effective.
Firstly, it's important to understand why you might not be able to answer a call. Reasons could range from being in a meeting or driving, to having your phone on silent or being in an area with poor reception. Regardless of the reason, there are ways to handle this situation professionally and courteously.
Do Not Disturb Feature: WhatsApp offers a "Do Not Disturb" feature that can be enabled to mute notifications from the app without missing important messages or calls. This feature allows you to focus on your current task while still being able to check your messages later. To use this, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and select the duration for which you want to mute notifications.
Quick Reply Feature: WhatsApp also provides a quick reply feature that allows you to send pre-written messages directly from the notification without opening the app. You can customize these responses in advance, making it easy to let callers know why you can't answer and when they can expect a response. To set this up, go to Settings > Notifications > Quick Reply and add your preferred responses.
Custom Status: Updating your WhatsApp status with relevant information can also be helpful. For example, if you are in a meeting or driving, you can set your status to indicate that you will respond later. This way, callers know beforehand why you might not answer immediately. To update your status, go to the Status tab and add a new status message.
Use Voice Mail: If you're unable to answer a call but want to ensure that the caller can leave a message, you can enable WhatsApp voice mail. This feature allows callers to record a message if you don’t answer within 30 seconds. To use this, go to Settings > Account > Privacy and enable the "Voice Mail" option.
Call Back: If possible, make sure to return the call as soon as you can. This shows that you value their attempt to reach out and maintains a positive communication flow.
By utilizing these features and practices, you can ensure that even if you can't answer a WhatsApp call immediately, the caller is informed and feels respected.