Why can't WhatsApp call landlines?
WhatsApp is an internet messaging app, not a phone service. When you make a WhatsApp call, your voice travels over the internet directly to the other person's WhatsApp app. The call never touches the traditional phone network (PSTN).
A landline has no app, no internet connection, no way to receive WhatsApp data. For a call to reach a landline, it must connect to the phone network somewhere. WhatsApp doesn't do this.
This isn't changing. Connecting to the phone network requires infrastructure, agreements with phone companies, and paying termination fees for every call. WhatsApp's business model is free communication—adding phone network connectivity would mean charging users or absorbing significant costs. Neither fits their model.
Can WhatsApp call mobile phones without the app?
No. Same limitation. WhatsApp can only call phones that have WhatsApp installed with an active internet connection. A mobile phone without WhatsApp—or with WhatsApp but no data/WiFi—cannot receive WhatsApp calls.
If you try to call a phone number through WhatsApp and that person doesn't have WhatsApp, nothing happens. No fallback to a regular call. It simply won't connect.
Which other apps have this same limitation?
Most free calling apps work identically—app-to-app only:
- Telegram: Cannot call landlines. Telegram-to-Telegram only.
- Signal: Cannot call landlines. Signal-to-Signal only.
- Facebook Messenger: Cannot call landlines. (Used to offer phone calling, discontinued it.)
- FaceTime: Cannot call landlines. Apple device to Apple device only.
- WeChat: Cannot call landlines. WeChat-to-WeChat only.
The pattern: if it's free and app-based, it almost certainly can't call real phone numbers.
When do you actually need to call a landline?
More often than you'd think:
- Elderly relatives with a house phone but no smartphone. They're not installing WhatsApp.
- Businesses—restaurants, stores, service providers. Most have phone numbers, not WhatsApp accounts.
- Government offices—immigration, consulates, tax authorities. Phone numbers only.
- Healthcare—hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics. Scheduling, results, urgent questions.
- Banks—customer service, fraud departments, account support. All phone lines.
- People who won't install apps—not everyone wants another app. Some people just receive phone calls.
What services CAN call landlines?
You need a VoIP (Voice over IP) service—one that routes your voice over the internet, then connects to the phone network to complete the call. These aren't free. They pay termination fees to phone companies and pass those costs to you. But they're much cheaper than carrier international rates.
Google Voice
Free calls to US/Canada. International from $0.01/min. The catch: only available to US residents with a US phone number to register. If you're outside the US, this option doesn't exist for you.
Viber Out
Calling feature within the Viber messaging app. Rates from $0.019/min with $4.99 minimum credit. Credit expires after 180 days of inactivity—relevant if you call infrequently.
DialHard
Browser-based service—no app to install. Works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Rates from $0.03/min with $20 minimum credit. Credit never expires. In our data, calls to US toll-free numbers (1-800) complete 98% of the time and are free, which matters if you're abroad calling US banks or government lines.
Your mobile carrier
Your regular phone can always call landlines. But carrier international rates are typically $0.50-3.00/min—20-50x more expensive than VoIP services. Most convenient, most expensive.
How much does calling a landline actually cost?
Comparison: 10-minute call to a UK landline from the US:
| Service | Rate | 10-min cost | Credit expires? |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Cannot call | — | |
| US carrier (typical) | $1.00/min | $10.00 | No |
| Viber Out | $0.02/min | $0.20 | Yes (180 days) |
| Google Voice | $0.02/min | $0.20 | No |
| DialHard | $0.03/min | $0.30 | No |
The carrier charges $10.00 for what VoIP services charge $0.20-0.30. That's a 30-50x difference.
How do I set up a VoIP service?
Step 1: Choose a service. For occasional calls where you don't want credit to expire: DialHard or Google Voice (US only). For frequent calls to specific countries: Viber Out may have lower rates.
Step 2: Create an account. Most require just an email address.
Step 3: Add credit. Minimums range from $5-20 depending on service.
Step 4: Dial the full international number including country code. UK landline example: +44 20 7946 0958 (drop the leading 0 from the local number).
Setup takes about 5 minutes. After that, calling any landline worldwide is as easy as dialing the number.
Will WhatsApp ever add landline calling?
Unlikely. WhatsApp's value is free communication. Landline calling requires paying termination fees that scale with usage. Meta could theoretically add this, but they'd be competing with established VoIP services in a low-margin business with no strategic advantage. There's no indication they plan to.
WhatsApp can't call landlines. Neither can Telegram, Signal, FaceTime, or Messenger. To reach a landline—or any phone without the app installed—you need a service that connects to the phone network. VoIP services cost $0.02-0.05/min versus $1-3/min for carrier rates. Five minutes of setup saves significant money.