On iOS beta version 25.21.10.76, WhatsApp is launching a real-time audio chat function for Meta AI. This comes after we previously discussed a rollout for Android users. Tapping on the waveform icon from the Chats tab, or by default from the Calls tab, allows users to initiate a voice session when it is available. By implementing this, Meta AI will significantly catch up to other chatbots that currently mostly provide calls.
At the operating system level, iOS's integration differs slightly from Android's. iOS will put an orange dot in the top-right corner of the screen to show that the microphone is in use when you start a call using Meta AI. WhatsApp is unable to stop this privacy function, so you'll always be aware when Meta is listening.
When you hit the collapse symbol to navigate to other apps, the voice chat with Meta AI can continue to operate in the background. Users must remind themselves not to say anything they don't want Meta to know while the WhatsApp app is running in the background, even if this is convenient because it greatly broadens the scope of Meta AI's data collection beyond the WhatsApp application itself.
You can also protect your privacy by muting the microphone if you don't want to end the call. Additionally, the orange signal will stay displayed the entire time to let you know that Meta is still paying attention.
According to WABetaInfo, some customers may now access this capability, and more will be added in the upcoming weeks. Installing the most recent version of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app is required if you wish to test out real-time voice chats with Meta AI while it's still in beta.