WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature called "Guest Chats," allowing users to interact with people who do not have a WhatsApp account. The feature was spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android by WaBetaInfo, a platform known for tracking upcoming changes to the app.
What is ‘Guest Chats’?
The Guest Chats feature is designed to enable conversations with individuals who are not registered WhatsApp users. Unlike third-party chat integrations, which rely on external developers to connect users across platforms, Guest Chats will work entirely within WhatsApp’s own infrastructure. This means Meta will control the experience end-to-end, maintaining privacy standards and performance reliability.
The purpose of the feature is to expand WhatsApp’s reach by simplifying how users can communicate with non-users. It may serve use cases like customer support or one-time communications without requiring recipients to sign up or install the app.
How Guest Chats may work
To initiate a guest chat, WhatsApp users will be able to generate and share an invitation link. This link can be sent via SMS, email, or other messaging platforms. When the recipient clicks the link, they can open a temporary chat interface directly in their browser without installing WhatsApp or creating an account.
However, these chats will come with certain limitations. Media file sharing such as photos, videos, and GIFs will not be supported. Additionally, users will not be able to send voice or video messages, nor initiate audio or video calls during guest conversations.
What to expect next
WhatsApp is expected to roll out Guest Chats in a future update, though the company has not officially announced a timeline. The feature could benefit businesses or users looking for a lightweight communication option that doesn’t require onboarding new users.
As WhatsApp explores more ways to expand its accessibility, the Guest Chats feature represents a significant move towards making conversations more open and flexible — all while keeping them within the Meta ecosystem.
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