Do any of you regularly use whatsapp to make phone calls to Italy from the US? I've searched the Forum posts and most refer to using it for calls while in Italy. The owner of our Rome rental apartment (this fall) has become a great friend in the past year via weekly emails and Skype - I speak/write Italian and she speaks/writes English and we have a blast correcting each other! She recently put whatsapp on her phone and wants me to do this so we can call each other. Is it really free long distance as long as I'm on wifi? My phone is android. Any tips on how this works will be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I use it all the time for texting and calling friends i've made in italy, Germany, Switzerland and Crotia. It uses your data not your cell network. It's great over WIFI. it even links up to your contact list (least on iphone) and shows you which person has what's app.
Posted by
54 posts
We use whatsapp all the time. I used it a lot to call home when I was in Italy last September and February. It's very clear when you have a decent wifi connection.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34341 posts
and you can send photos, videos, texts, etc., as well as call. you can see when a message has been read.
it is great and you can't beat the price.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
Thanks all. Isabella & I spent time yesterday calling, texting and sending videos back and forth between NC and Rome - what fun!! This is great & I'm now an expert! :) Stupefacente (amazing!)
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Can I use the app (via wifi in Italy) to call a landline in the U.S. or does the person I'm calling have to use the app as well?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34341 posts
both parties need the app running to communicate...
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Susan, Our youngest daughter is doing a semester at UEA in Norwich. We have been texting and calling using WhatsApp. It has worked great. As a matter of fact our daughter was in Rome last week and we were talking to her while she was there.
As others have mentioned, you both need the app on your phones and you can not make calls to landlines from WhatsApp.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
This app is great - thanks everyone