WhatsApp New Update: No Account? Chat as a Guest Now!

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a feature called 'Guest Chats,' allowing users to create invite links to start conversations with people who do not have a WhatsApp account. This feature is designed to let guests join a chat through a secure web link without needing to install the app.

How WhatsApp's Guest Chats Feature Will Work

According to a report by WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned instant messaging app is testing Guest Chats with a limited number of Android and iOS beta users. Some users have reportedly been testing Guest Chats, which makes it simpler to reach new contacts who have not yet joined WhatsApp.

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You can now invite people who don't have a WhatsApp account to a specific conversation, called a Guest Chat, via a secure web link. The link can be generated by the inviter directly from the "Invite a Friend" section or at the bottom of the contacts list. Once created, users can share the link via SMS, or copy it to share through email or other messaging platforms.

Recipients can join a Guest Chat by opening the received link in their browser on desktop or mobile. They can choose to download WhatsApp or continue as a guest. Tapping Guest Options opens the conversation on WhatsApp Web, where a unique identifier is generated to enable end-to-end encryption, which will keep the chat secure.

After generating the encryption key, guests will have to enter their name (a pseudonym is allowed, but recognisable names are recommended). Guests are not verified by WhatsApp, so there is no guarantee that the person who opens the chat invite link is actually the intended recipient.

Guests can start a conversation, but the WhatsApp account holder sees "Guest" in the top app bar to indicate an unregistered participant. Guest chats are temporary and limited: no group chats, media sharing, attachments, or video calls—only basic messaging is supported.

Moreover, Guest chats will expire after 10 days of inactivity, and a new invite link is needed to continue the conversation. Guests may not receive notifications, so messages could be missed if the chat is inactive. As noted, this feature is currently being tested with a limited number of users. It is yet to be announced when it will be available for everyone.

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