TikTok is experimenting with voice calls in direct messages, as you should communicate while you doomscroll.

      It seems that scrolling, texting, and gaming in your DMs just weren't sufficient.

      TikTok appears to be experimenting with voice calling within direct messages, a strategy that might lead it to compete more directly with messaging applications like Messenger and WhatsApp. Jonah Manzano recently noticed the feature on X and shared screenshots, which included an incoming call alert labeled “TikTok Audio” and a phone icon introduced to the DM interface.

      From voice notes to calls

      The feature seems to function as a regular audio call that can be started from a DM conversation. According to Manzano's testing, both users must be friends on the platform for a call to be initiated. A “Mute calls” toggle is also visible in the DM settings alongside the existing “Mute messages” option, indicating that TikTok has developed the necessary notification controls to support this feature.

      Last August, TikTok introduced voice notes to DMs, along with photo and video attachments. Voice calling would be the next advancement, transforming the messaging section into something akin to a comprehensive communication tool.

      More time in the app

      This expansion is part of TikTok's larger effort to retain users on its platform rather than transitioning to other apps for chatting. In the past two years, TikTok has quickly rolled out group chats, DM streaks, broadcast channels, and voice notes. The platform also recently incorporated a concealed emoji mini-game in DMs that operates in both one-on-one and group chats, another minor incentive aimed at keeping users engaged within the app.

      The introduction of calls would align TikTok more closely with the feature sets of Instagram and Snapchat, both of which offer in-app audio calling. TikTok has yet to confirm this feature or announce a broader rollout, but it likely won’t be long before voice calls become available to a larger audience.

      Pranob is an experienced technology journalist with more than eight years of experience in covering consumer technology. His work has been…

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