WhatsApp Testing New Feature To Enable Chats With Users Without An Account

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow users to communicate with people who don’t have a WhatsApp account.

According to WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned platform is working on a feature called “guest chats” which will enable conversations with temporary users who can join chats without needing a full WhatsApp account.

To start a guest chat, WhatsApp users must invite someone from their contacts who doesn’t have the app. The invitee receives a direct link that grants temporary access to chat with the sender. This link can be shared via text message, email, or other social media platforms.

Guest chats will come with limitations. Users won’t be able to share media files such as photos or videos, and voice or video messages will not be supported — only plain text messages can be exchanged.

It’s unclear when the feature will be rolled out to the public, but it is expected to be included in a future WhatsApp update for both Android and iOS. WhatsApp has also been working to integrate third-party messaging services such as iMessage, Telegram, Google Messages, and Signal, in compliance with evolving digital regulations.