WhatsApp is working on a feature that could make it easier to chat with people who are not even on the platform. A new guest chat option is now rolling out to some beta users on Android and iOS, allowing conversations with people who do not have a WhatsApp account.
How WhatsApp guest chats will work
According to WABetaInfo, you can create a shareable invite link inside WhatsApp (through “Invite a friend” section or the bottom of your contacts list) to start a guest chat.
When someone receives a guest chat link, they can open it on a phone or a desktop browser and join a temporary conversation. Inside the chat, their profile appears with a “Guest” label to clarify that they are not a registered WhatsApp user.
WhatsApp still applies end-to-end encryption to these conversations, which means messages remain private between participants. Since the guest does not have a verified WhatsApp account, the identity of the person joining the chat cannot be confirmed in the same way as a regular user.
This is why anyone who gets access to the invite link could potentially enter the conversation. So you should share guest chat links carefully and confirm you are talking to the intended person. It is also best to avoid sharing sensitive information that others could access.
Features of WhatsApp guest chats
The guest experience is intentionally limited. Guests cannot join group chats or send media such as photos, videos, documents, stickers, or GIFs. They also cannot make voice or video calls or send voice messages.
These chats are meant to be temporary as well. If a conversation stays inactive for 10 days, it will automatically expire. To continue chatting after that point, you would need to create and share a new invite link.
Right now, the guest chat option is only available to a limited number of beta testers, and WhatsApp has not confirmed when this feature will roll out officially.
WhatsApp has also rolled out other updates recently. These include parent-managed accounts for kids under 13 and a feature that helps new group members catch up by sharing recent chat history.
The company is also testing a possible subscription plan that could place some advanced features behind a paid tier.