WhatsApp is working on an update that will allow users to message people who do not have a WhatsApp account.
The new feature is called "Guest Chat", according to a report from a reliable WhatsApp leak site, WABetaInfo.
Though still in early development, its implications could transform WhatsApp into a truly cross-platform communication tool, bridging gaps between users of different apps, or even those with no app at all.
The new feature, called Guest Chat, was discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.24.14.18), and it will reportedly allow WhatsApp users to start secure conversations with people who do not have a WhatsApp account, most likely via a secure chat link.
How the link will work
A WhatsApp user will be able to generate a chat invite link that can be shared via SMS, email, or other platforms.
The recipient opens the link and is taken to a temporary browser-based or app-integrated chat interface.
There, they can chat without signing up, using a temporary identity or guest access.
The conversation will still be end-to-end encrypted, ensuring privacy and security on both sides.
This now makes it possible for people to chat without downloading the app or creating an account.
The feature will simplify communication with people outside the WhatsApp network and enable businesses and organisations to engage new users more easily.
It will also reduce the friction of forcing someone to sign up just to respond to a message.
However, the Guest Chat feature is not yet available to the public, but it is being tested internally, and no release timeline has been announced yet.
It will also allow a series of major updates, including: Message editing, HD photo and video sharing, WhatsApp channels, AI-powered support tools, and Cross-device syncing without the phone.
