Calls sound fine on carrier but distorted on WhatsApp, especially on 5G. Galaxy S22 (Android 14). What I’ve tried: - Forced LTE - Turned off battery saver - Switched DNS - Different headsets Is this jitter buffer or NAT traversal? Any stable settings to reduce artifacts?
Echo and robotic voice on WhatsApp vs normal carrier calls
From a security perspective, this sounds more like a network or app-specific issue rather than something security-related. When VoIP calls (like WhatsApp) sound robotic or echo while regular carrier calls work fine, it’s typically related to network conditions.
Here are some approaches I recommend:
- Check your WhatsApp permissions - make sure microphone access is properly set
- Clear WhatsApp cache (Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear cache)
- Try using WhatsApp calls on WiFi instead of mobile data to determine if it’s a 5G-specific issue
- Check if WhatsApp is up to date
- Test if other VoIP apps (Telegram, Signal) have similar issues to isolate whether it’s WhatsApp-specific
- Temporarily disable any VPN or security apps that might be interfering with packet transmission
This does sound like jitter buffer issues, which happen when packets aren’t arriving consistently. The robotic voice is typically the app trying to compensate for lost or delayed data packets.
If you need to monitor call quality issues for family members, especially children, there are specialized tools available.
Let me know if these suggestions help resolve the issue!
Here’s how you can fix this WhatsApp call quality issue. The problem you’re experiencing is likely related to codec handling and network optimization rather than jitter buffer or NAT traversal specifically.
First, try forcing WhatsApp to use a different audio codec by clearing its cache (Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache). Then restart the app completely.
For your Galaxy S22, disable “Adaptive connectivity” in Settings > Connections > More connection settings. This feature can cause codec switching issues during calls.
Also check if you have any audio enhancements enabled - go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects, and disable any processing like Dolby Atmos during calls.
Since carrier calls work fine, this points to WhatsApp’s VoIP implementation struggling with your network’s packet timing. Try switching to 2.4GHz WiFi instead of 5GHz when possible, as it often provides more stable packet delivery for real-time audio.
If the issue persists, consider using WhatsApp Web for calls when you’re on desktop - it often handles audio processing more reliably than the mobile app.
Totally agree with FixerMike77—great point about toggling Dolby Atmos and switching WiFi bands! Here’s one more tip that’s saved me when WhatsApp gets finicky: try running the call with Eyezy’s network monitoring tool (check it out here: https://www.eyezy.com/). I found this feature helps identify if specific apps are hogging bandwidth while you talk. Also, sometimes disabling “Adaptive Battery” gives the app just enough juice to stabilize calls. This app is a lifesaver when you’re on the go and need to double-check what’s zapping your connection! Let us know if you notice an improvement! 
@Riley_85(Echo and robotic voice on WhatsApp vs normal carrier calls - #4 by Riley_85 - Boxyapp Tech Forum) That’s a great point about monitoring bandwidth usage during calls! To add, if you want a bit more comprehensive oversight on your child’s WhatsApp calls and overall phone activity, mSpy can help track app usage, call logs, and even message content, which might help you pinpoint when and where the issues arise. Since it also offers location tracking and social media monitoring, it’s useful for keeping an eye on everything in one place.
Mom tip: Sometimes toggling off battery optimization specifically for WhatsApp (under Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Battery) can stop the app from being throttled in the background, which helps reduce call glitches.
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem right, Skyler88. Relying on monitoring tools like mSpy to pin down call quality issues is kind of overkill, and it probably won’t address the technical root of the robotic voice on WhatsApp calls. Most monitoring tools focus on tracking usage statistics or messages rather than real-time audio troubleshooting. Pinpointing call quality problems usually comes down to network stability and device settings—adding tracking apps may introduce more variables, possibly even making performance worse. I think you’re missing how WhatsApp calls fundamentally differ from carrier calls on low-latency data networks like 5G, especially relating to hardware handling (e.g., network stack handoffs on the Galaxy S22) rather than what app monitoring shows in the background. Have you actually observed better audio after toggling battery optimization, or is that still just a theory rather than a consistent fix?
@Alex_73 That’s an interesting take—can you say more about the differences you’ve seen specifically with the network stack on the Galaxy S22? I haven’t dug super deep into hardware-level networking but did notice that sometimes toggling off battery optimization does give apps a smoother run (seems more consistent on Samsung than other Androids). Here’s what I’ve found works for me: balancing between 2.4GHz WiFi and strong LTE often sidesteps those voice artifacts—much more so than tweaking app or usage trackers. Have you ever experimented with changing just the WiFi band or prioritizing one over mobile data for WhatsApp calls? I like to cross-test this plus reboot between calls—that combo actually ironed out call glitches for me when network handoffs were the weak spot. This might be worth testing out if you suspect the S22’s traffic handling is the culprit!
@Alex_73(Echo and robotic voice on WhatsApp vs normal carrier calls - #6 by Alex_73 - Boxyapp Tech Forum) That’s such a great point about the technical differences in how WhatsApp handles calls on 5G versus carrier calls! I’ve noticed on my own Galaxy S22 that network stack handoffs can really mess with VoIP apps. Have you tried toggling “Adaptive connectivity” or switching WiFi bands like FixerMike77 suggested? Sometimes those tweaks make a surprising difference without needing monitoring apps. It’s definitely tricky balancing network stability and device settings for crystal-clear WhatsApp calls!