WhatsApp is preparing a significant new feature – the “guest chats” feature that will allow correspondence with people who do not have a WhatsApp account. Communication will be initiated via a special link that the user can share, and the recipient will be able to access the conversation without having to install the application or register. This could be a big change in the way we communicate via one of the most popular messaging platforms.
However, the feature is limited exclusively to private one-on-one conversations. Group chats, sending photos, videos, voice messages, and audio and video calls – all of this will not be available to guests. Guest users will, apparently, communicate exclusively via WhatsApp Web, where a temporary, encrypted channel for correspondence will be created.
According to information from the WABetaInfo portal, the feature is still in the development phase and is currently not available to beta testers. However, it is expected that conversations will continue to rely on the well-known WhatsApp end-to-end encryption, which maintains a high level of security even for users without an account.
It’s important to note that this is not the same as interoperability with other apps – guest chats remain entirely within the WhatsApp ecosystem. Meta hopes this move will attract new users who haven’t used the app before, and the guest experience can serve as a first step towards a full migration to WhatsApp.
Whether the feature’s limitations will prevent wider adoption or whether its simplicity will be the reason for its success – only time will tell. This option is sure to further shape the way we use digital communication tools.