WhatsApp is working on a new feature that should make life a bit easier for iPhone users during voice and video calls. Soon, you’ll be able to switch microphone modes right from the WhatsApp call screen—no need to fumble with the Control Centre. This shortcut is starting to show up for some users in WhatsApp for iOS version 26.27.74, and it’ll likely reach more people over the next few weeks.
Mic controls may be available without opening the control centre
Here’s what’s actually changing: if you get the update, you’ll see an option on the call interface to change your microphone mode on the fly. It does not interrupt the call, and you can swap between four Apple audio modes instantly.
Four Apple microphone modes expected
The reported shortcut will open Apple's existing microphone processing menu, allowing users to choose from four different audio modes:
- Standard (just the regular mic),
- Voice Isolation (cuts out background noise so people hear you better),
- Wide Spectrum (picks up more ambient sound—think group calls or when you want others to hear what’s going on around you),
- Automatic (iOS decides which mode works best for your environment).
Apple's existing technology
All this is Apple’s own microphone processing. WhatsApp isn’t building anything new on the audio front for iOS—it’s just making existing iPhone tools more accessible. Apple first brought Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum to FaceTime in iOS 15, then rolled Voice Isolation into normal phone calls in iOS 16.4, and added the Automatic mode with iOS 18. So, WhatsApp is just giving these features a home inside its own app.
The selected mode may stay active for future calls
One nice touch: the setting sticks. If you pick a microphone mode, iOS keeps that as your default for future WhatsApp calls, unless you change it. No need to tweak your mic every time you dial in.
Different from WhatsApp's Android feature
Android users, things are a little different for you. WhatsApp recently introduced its own AI-powered noise cancellation system on Android. But on the iPhone side, they’re keeping it all in Apple’s court.
If WhatsApp pushes this feature out to everyone, it means better, easier call control for iPhone users; tap once inside the app, and you are set. No fuss, no missed sentences, just smoother calls.
