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| WhatsApp Guest Chat feature interface allowing users to message without the app. |
WhatsApp is testing a new feature called Guest Chat, allowing users to chat with people who don’t have the WhatsApp app installed. This feature was spotted in the latest beta release this week. The process is simple: when starting a new conversation, users can select the “no phone number” option. The system will then generate a unique link that can be shared via email, SMS, or any other app. Once the recipient clicks the link, they’ll be taken to WhatsApp Web with a ready-to-use chat window.
According to WABetaInfo, this feature is designed to make quick communication easier without forcing someone to download the app or create an account. However, there are some limitations: guest mode does not support sending photos, videos, GIFs, voice messages, or making voice/video calls. Additionally, chats are limited to one-on-one conversations with no option to create groups.
Security remains a priority. WhatsApp confirms that all Guest Chat messages are protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read them. If a guest user later decides to register for WhatsApp, their chat history can be saved and continued in the regular app.
It’s still unclear when this feature will roll out to the stable version of WhatsApp. However, if officially launched, Guest Chat could be a convenient solution for instant communication in various situations — from quick business coordination to urgent conversations — without the hassle of installing an app.
