WhatsApp is working on a feature that could make it easier to chat with people who aren’t even on the platform yet. A new guest chat option is now rolling out for some beta users on Android and iOS, allowing conversations with people who don’t have a WhatsApp account.
This is how WhatsApp guest chats work
According to WABetaInfo, you can create a shareable invite link in WhatsApp (via the Invite Friend section or at the bottom of your contact list) to start a guest chat.
When someone receives a guest chat link, they can open it on a phone or desktop browser and join in a temporary conversation. In the chat, your profile will appear marked “Guest” to make it clear that you are not a registered WhatsApp user.
WhatsApp continues to apply end-to-end encryption to these conversations, meaning messages remain private between participants. Since the guest does not have a verified WhatsApp account, the identity of the person participating in the chat cannot be confirmed like a regular user.
Because of this, anyone who gets access to the invite link could potentially join the conversation. Therefore, you should share guest chat links carefully and make sure you are talking to the person you want. It is also best to avoid sharing sensitive information that could be accessed by others.
Features of WhatsApp guest chats
The guest experience is deliberately limited. Guests cannot join group chats or send media such as photos, videos, documents, stickers, or GIFs. You also can’t make voice or video calls or send voice messages.
These chats should also be temporary. If a conversation remains inactive for 10 days, it will expire automatically. To continue chatting after this point, you will need to create and share a new invitation link.
Currently, the guest chat option is only available to a limited number of beta testers and WhatsApp has not confirmed when this feature will be officially launched.
WhatsApp has also rolled out more updates recently. These include parent-managed accounts for children under 13 and a feature that helps new group members stay in the loop by sharing recent chat history.
The company is also testing a possible subscription plan that could place some advanced features behind a paid tier.
