WhatsApp to Soon Let You Chat With People Who Don’t Even Have WhatsApp
In a surprising move that could reshape how instant messaging works, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows users to message people who don’t have a WhatsApp account. The upcoming feature, currently dubbed “Guest Chats,” was spotted by WABetaInfo in Android beta version 2.25.22.13, and is expected to roll out for both Android and iOS in future updates.
The concept behind guest chats is simple, yet significant. WhatsApp users will be able to generate a secure chat link that can be shared through text, email, or even social media. Once the recipient opens the link, they’ll be taken to a web-based chat interface—similar in appearance to WhatsApp Web—where they can start a conversation with the sender without creating a WhatsApp account.
Despite not requiring a login, WhatsApp has confirmed that end-to-end encryption will remain in place, meaning the messages exchanged between users and non-users will be private and inaccessible to third parties, including WhatsApp itself.
However, there are some key limitations. The guest chat feature will only support basic text messaging. This means that users in these temporary conversations won’t be able to send or receive media, such as photos, videos, documents, stickers, or voice notes. Group chats and voice/video calling will also be unavailable. In essence, it’s a stripped-down version of WhatsApp, suitable for quick, secure one-on-one conversations.
While WhatsApp hasn’t confirmed the exact motivation behind this move, many speculate that it is connected to interoperability mandates from the European Union. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, large messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and iMessage are being required to offer cross-platform communication features. Guest chats could be WhatsApp’s early step toward complying with that regulation while retaining its core value: privacy.
There is currently no confirmed release date for the feature. Since it’s still in beta testing, broader public availability could take a few more weeks or even months, depending on how the testing phase progresses.
Still, if rolled out successfully, this feature could eliminate one of WhatsApp’s long-standing limitations — requiring both parties to be on the app. It could also become a powerful tool for businesses, customer service teams, and even casual users who want to reach out to someone without asking them to install another app.
For now, users eager to try the feature will have to wait for future updates, but one thing is clear: WhatsApp is preparing for a more open, interoperable future—without compromising on its core promise of privacy.
