WhatsApp beta users can now chat with people without WhatsApp accounts

WhatsApp

• WhatsApp tests guest chat feature for messaging non-users
• Guest chats use invitation links and expire after 10 days
• Feature lacks group chats, calls, and media sharing for now

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Meta is expanding testing of a new guest chat feature in WhatsApp, allowing users to message people who do not have an account on the platform. The feature, which had previously appeared in Android beta builds, is now available to some beta testers on iOS through TestFlight as well as on the web version of WhatsApp.

The development was first spotted by WABetaInfo.

How guest chats work

With guest chats, a WhatsApp user can generate a special invitation link from the “Invite a friend” section of the app. This link can then be shared through SMS or other messaging platforms. When a recipient opens the link, it launches a chat session using WhatsApp Web even if the person does not have a WhatsApp account.

To join the conversation, the guest must accept WhatsApp’s terms, enter a name and initiate the chat session. Once the conversation begins, the guest’s name appears with a “(Guest)” label along with a note indicating that the person is not registered with WhatsApp.

According to WABetaInfo, the chat can only start once the guest opens the invitation link and initiates the conversation.

End-to-end encryption supported

Guest chats are still protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption system. When a guest joins, WhatsApp Web generates a unique identifier that is used to create the encryption key for the conversation. This ensures that only the participants in the chat can read the messages.

However, anyone who receives the invitation link can join the conversation, which means users need to be careful about how widely the link is shared.

Feature limitations for now

The guest chat feature currently comes with several restrictions. It does not support group conversations, voice messages, file attachments, stickers, GIFs or voice and video calls. Chats are also designed to expire after 10 days of inactivity.

The feature could serve as a way to encourage non-users to try the messaging service. While WhatsApp is widely used in many regions around the world, it has historically been less dominant in markets such as the United States.

Allowing temporary chats with non-users could make it easier for existing users to connect with people who are not yet on the platform.

For now, the feature remains limited to a small number of beta testers on iOS, Android and the web. Meta has not announced a timeline for a broader rollout.