WhatsApp: External chats with invited guests will soon be possible

WhatsApp is apparently testing a feature that allows users to write to people who do not have messenger apps installed on their smartphones. The so-called guest chats are currently being tested for both Android and iOS, reports WABetaInfo.

Selected users can generate an invitation link with the latest WhatsApp update and share it via SMS or email, for example. If this link is accessed, the online platform shared, WhatsApp Web can be used directly in the browser without your own account. The resulting chat is end-to-end encrypted. However, the recipient is not verified, so the invitation link can also be opened by other people and potentially misused. However, guests can be blocked like normal users.

Guest chats are only temporary and automatically expire after ten days of inactivity, WABetaInfo further explains. Guests also do not receive notifications of new messages. You cannot create groups with guests, and sharing voice messages, images, or stickers is not possible. The feature also does not support phone calls. For WhatsApp users, external chats are clearly marked to distinguish them from normal chats.

It is not yet clear when the update will be rolled out to all users. Only in November last year was WhatsApp expanded to include a chat function with other messenger apps, but initially with a very selective selection. These third-party chats also have fewer functions than classic WhatsApp chats.

(mho)